Tommy probably savored escaping the confines of a New York City home for walks in manicured gardens and romps with the hunting dogs. But in an era before paved roads and automobiles, the remoteness of Palmetto Bluff was not without its perils. On April 7, 1903, Tommy’s life was in jeopardy, and he was hours from medical care.
It was obvious that morning that something was wrong. Tommy had had a slight cough for a few days, but now he was listless. He seemed exhausted by even the slightest movement. As the day wore on, his condition deteriorated. By evening, the little terrier was struggling to breathe. Marian became frantic. Tommy needed medical care, and he needed it soon. Her husband sent for the men who ran their motor launch between Palmetto Bluff and Savannah. Wilson’s orders were simple: get to Savannah as quickly as possible and bring back Dr. August Jasme, the veterinarian. Even at full speed, the trip would take over three hours each way, and there was no guarantee that the men would find the doctor at home. They set out knowing that Tommy’s life (and likely their livelihoods) depended on their success.
As the Savannah Morning News reported two days later, the men arrived at Dr. Jasme’s home around 10:00 p.m. They explained the situation and said he was to come at once. Dr. Jasme was understandably hesitant—hurtling down the Savannah River and across the tidal estuaries in the dark seemed like a good way to hasten his own demise. But Wilson’s men refused to allow him to decline their request. According to the newspaper, they had been “told to bring Dr. Jasme back, dead or alive,” and they would not leave until he agreed to go. Jasme reluctantly acquiesced.