Is this the man who mysteriously leaves flowers on Poe's grave?
For decades this mystery has drawn thousands to the famed poet's grave in the heart of Baltimore and spawned much speculation. Why the black garb? Why cognac? And just who is this man?
This week, Sam Porpora, a Poe historian, stepped forward with a shocking announcement -- he was the man in black. But instead of solving the mystery, he has only deepened it.
Wizened and white-haired at 92, Porpora still dresses with the impeccable conviction of a former ad man. A resident of a retirement home near Baltimore, he often spends his afternoons telling stories to whomever he can find in the lobby. Sitting with a visitor this week, Porpora held a stack of old photos and news clippings.
"What do you want to know?" he asked, not pausing for an answer. He rattled off story after story -- about his childhood and his efforts to save the dilapidated church and cemetery where Poe was buried in downtown Baltimore. He talked about almost everything except the man in black, the three roses and the cognac.
"Oh, you want to know about that?" he asked. He leaned in and said, "It was me."
Ever since he made his announcement this week, the Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum in Baltimore has been flooded with calls about Porpora's claim.
Museum curator Jeff Jerome, after all, was the one who noticed the roses and cognac and brought the event to light 30 years ago. Ever since, as curator of the Poe House and Museum, he has protected the mysterious legend -- watching but never interfering or letting others interfere with the ritual.
If anyone could confirm Porpora's claim with some authority, it would be Jerome. So as more and more people called, he agonized over what to say.
"It's not Sam," Jerome said finally. "He's like a mentor to me and I love him, but, believe me, it's not him."