... and how Robert of Bucanero came up with the name 'Peg Leg' for that particular line of cigars.
Most would think that it was named as such, to stay within the pirate theme of Bucanero Cigars ... but even though it was a perfect choice ... that is not the case. It was really named to honor 'Peg Leg' Smith ...
*** Peg-Leg Smith Story ***
Historic Landmarks
San Diego
NUMBER 750 PEG LEG SMITH MONUMENT
Thomas L. Smith, better known as 'Peg Leg,' 1801-1866, was a mountain man, prospector, and spinner of tall tales. Legends regarding his lost gold mine have grown through the years, and countless people have searched the desert for its fabulous wealth. The mine could be within a few miles of this monument.
Location: Henderson Canyon Rd, 1,000 ft N of Pegleg Rd, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Peg Leg Smith was the first permanent settler to the Bear Lake area. Smith came to the valley in 1842 and set up a trading post to trade with the pioneers traveling the Oregon Trail. How he got the name of Peg Leg Smith is an interesting story.
During a pitched battle in 1827, he took a bullet to his ankle, shattering the bone. His companions, who thought it would be fatal, carried him away from the battle. Not having any surgery tools on hand, and in an effort to save his own life, Peg Leg Smith took a knife and began sawing away at his lower leg. Between periods of nausea, fainting and swearing at his friends, he managed to cut off his own leg. Smith survived and later carved himself a wooden leg and learned to walk with it, thus came about the name of "Peg Leg" Smith.
And that is how it came to be ... told to me by Robert himself last night at Napa Wine and Cigar event ...
... and a little more info I found on the subject ...
*** Thomas L. Peg-Leg Smith ***
The name of Thomas L. (Peg-leg) Smith, whose reputation is not so savory, is possibly given more attention than it deserves by writers of the history of the San Joaquin; though it would probably be too much to say that his horse-stealing activities did not bring him into the valley. He may also have followed here his other vocation of trapping. His story is so colorful that writers have been much attracted to it. The facts, however, are very difficult to establish, for those who first wrote of his life secured their information directly or indirectly from him. One writer, who knew him personally, said: "Peg-leg was the biggest horse thief that ever ranged the country between the Missouri River and the Pacific Ocean and the most superlative liar that ever honored California with his presence." It can be admitted that is putting the matter rather strongly.
The latter years of Smith's life were spent in San Francisco, where he entertained with stories of his adventures anyone who would buy him a drink. No doubt, in his life on the Plains, he displayed stamina and fortitude; but for the most part he put them to bad use.
There is a familiar story of his being shot in the leg by an Indian while he was heroically attempting to rescue the body of a companion. This story has it that when no one could be found with sufficient nerve to amputate the shattered leg, just above the ankle, Smith did the job himself with a butcher-knife. Major Bell reports that Smith stated the wound had been received in a battle with Spanish ranchers from who he had stolen horses. His Indian associates corroborated this story. One authority stated that Milton Soublette assisted in the amputation, another that it was done by an Indian.
