The Sunday Gazetteer
Sunday, October 19, 1884

TOMALOS
The Denison tomalo merchant is growing into opulency so great is the nightly demand for his luxury.  The tomalo is a preparation of meal, meat and red pepper, the latter ingredient predominating.  Soon after the going down of the sun the voice of the tomalo merchant is heard shouting "red hot tomalos - 20c a dozen!"  The tomalo is a small concern, not larger than a small mouse and is rolled up in a shuck.  It is of Mexican origin, but is now thoroughly Denisonized.  Our Denison tomalo merchant makes about 150 dozen tomalos during the day and at night sells out his stock; and if you will notice the slips of shucks lying around the pavements of mornings you will see evidence of tomalos.  In fact it is contended that tomalos are more popular than taffy candy.  A few nights ago one of our gay young men purchased a few dozen tomalos which he ate with great relish, but just before day, when the doctor called to see him, he declared that he was dying of --- volcano of the stomach.  He swore the things had come to life and were striving for freedom.  The doctor worked on him about 2 hours ere he convinced him that his stomach had not converted itself into a cage of monkeys, a work shop or something of the kind.  That young fellow now shys around the tomalo merchant as Satan would a vial of holy water, and he keeps his ears plugged up with wood in order to keep out the cry of "red hot tomalos."