Jerry Tarbot facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jerry Tarbot
|
|
|---|---|
Alexander Dubois Jr aka "Jerry Tarbot"
|
|
| Born |
Alexander Dubois Jr.
May 31, 1882 New York City, New York, United States
|
| Died | January 4, 1972 (aged 89) San Diego, California, United States
|
| Nationality | North American |
| Other names | Howard Francis Noble; Howard Noble; Blake; Jerry Tarbot; The Sliding Ghost Jerry J. Martin |
| Occupation | factory worker; bigamist; car thief;confidence man; |
| Known for | Imposter |
Jerry Tarbot was an American man known for tricking people. He claimed he was a soldier who had lost his memory during World War I. On April 10, 1926, a newspaper called The Healdsburg Tribune wrote about him. They even called him the "sliding ghost" of World War I.
Contents
The Story of Jerry Tarbot
Jerry Tarbot became famous for his unusual story. He told everyone he was a soldier who had forgotten his past. This made many people feel sorry for him and believe his tale.
Uncovering the Truth
In March 1927, a politician named Royal Johnson from South Dakota looked into Tarbot's claims. He was the head of the Veterans Committee. Johnson revealed the real story behind "Jerry Tarbot."
- His real name was Alexander Dubois Jr.
- His father was a chef in a hotel in Cuba.
- His mother was Mary Richards Riley.
- He also had an aunt in New York named Riley.
A Life of Many Names
Alexander Dubois Jr. used many different names throughout his life. He had at least 20 different aliases. This made it hard for people to know his true identity.
- He avoided joining the army during the war.
- In January 1913, he used the name "Howard Francis Noble." He applied for a job at General Electric Company in Pennsylvania.
- From 1915 to 1917, he was known as "Howard Noble." He lived in Sharon, Pennsylvania, and worked at the Briggs Seabury Company.
- In 1916, he also worked at the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. in Ohio.
Personal Life and Legal Issues
Alexander Dubois Jr. had a complicated personal life. He was married more than once.
- He married his first wife in Schenectady, New York.
- Later, he met Flora Lange while working in Detroit, Michigan.
- He married Flora Lange in Toledo, Ohio, on December 22, 1917. He used the name "Harold Noble" for this marriage.
- They lived in Erie, Pennsylvania, but later divorced in January 1918. Flora last heard from him in 1918.
He also had some trouble with the law.
- In 1922, he faced legal issues in San Francisco regarding cars.
- His lawyers said he was not mentally well. He was sent to a special hospital.
- While there, he pretended to be a war veteran who had lost his memory.
The "Living Unknown Soldier"
In 1928, Jerry Tarbot published a book. It was called Jerry Tarbot The Living Unknown Soldier. This book was supposed to be his life story. It helped spread his false claims even further.
- In 1932, Tarbot was living in Santa Rosa, California.
- In January 1956, he renewed the copyright for his book. He used the name Jerry J. Martin for this.
- He continued to use the name Tarbot until his death in 1972. He passed away in California.
Jerry Tarbot's story shows how one person can create a complex false identity. He managed to convince many people he was someone he wasn't for a long time.
