Baton-Rouge gazette. [volume] (Baton-Rouge, La.) 1819-1856, 1843-09-23
NO. 10
ffom The ogdsas6urgh Repu5taean.
DEATH FROM STARVING ~ TIE
WOODS

80 IlEs
WOODS.
on the I'd of August Easf, two we'll kuopn
hunters and valuable citizens Of orr cenntv.
Moses Leonard, and William 6. leonard. ~
Pierfeponf, discovered in the heart Of our
great northern wilderness, abont tl.iffy miles
from any settlements. the dead bodv of an III.
known man. who bad apparently come a. h,a
Death from starvation or sickness. Msasre.
Iennards returned home immediately. and ~.
ported their discovery, with sici, deaeyiptioas
~ they could give To one ofour c~oroners, DR..
Darius Clark, Of Canton.
Dr. Clark felt bound 10 take upon himsaff
Inc dlfheult duty Of going personally 10 ex4
afnine INTO tho cause Of The death II the nt.
known man, TO identify the body, and give il
q decent burial NJ his invitation, b humber
nf our citizens from Cantor, Russell. aad
Pterrepont, with p~raiseworthy pf6ynofpess.
turned out with him on the 14th instant, frY
q severe tramp in the woods. Alter travel
Ling three days in an 0nbfokeH wilderness.
they were conducted by Messrss L~soergarsIs 10
The remains Of the unfortunate man, Who gas
doomed 70 perish Of hunger IN Il saqage wild.
Az 4 shason when tho flies and Hluaauifoes are
almost ~ torrne1ting as tite paBgs or famine.
The body proved. beyond doubt, to Be that
OF a poor i%uHatie, who, for abont three years
previously had found a refuge 10 ouf county
poor. hoisses His clothing was identified by
the keeper Of the poor. house, his shirt having
the poor house mark upon il. II description,
particular, may reach the eye Of
some friend or relative of tho diseased. Abopt
three years since he was fund wandering IN
our county insane and destitute, and aa On.
st.apgtr, His age about forty ; m STA
tnre tall. over SIX feet, and well formed, with
a great muscular power light com plexfop,
aud brown hair. lie was active and indus.
disposed TO be orderly and peaceSble,
anIess Initiated during his occasional ffs Of
badness, when he preferred solitude and
moody silence. His head and countenaBce,
10 well as his CONVEX sation, denoted aaucA
Intellectual power.
All inquiries to learn from him his IDENTITY.
II even his name, proved entirely f~ruitless,
hought it is pretty certain that he vas a
latIVe OF the south eastern part Of our stale.
te constantly refused to give an account Of
'imseif, or bis name, or his former home, yet
bis conversation with other paupers, hg
an intimate acquaintance with the
geography and particular localities Of the
hudson river counties, and also appeared 10
'nssess much general knowledge, which he
'ould ofteh engince in setting right other
when they were talking fgnoyautly.
With much sagacity he ejaded af attempts
learn bis name. lie was A good penmar,
nd fond Of writing, but when desired 10
rite his name. he would invariably write
orne unmeaning soubriques with a q~nizzin0
spression of countenaHce. His insanity ap@
cared TO be beyond remedy. Our s%upsrin-
sndents OF poor, and others, are forced to
that extreme harsh treatment had az
ragated his malady, and given him 80 much
read Of discovering his Identity.
In the month Of May last, one Of the en-.
srtotendeuts, who was going on business TO
'e southeastern part Of the state, resolved
take the deceased with him, IN the hone Of
tdlng his former home. :. BILL" (as hs was
\ IedJ ascertained The object and abseopded
his keeper. About the LIST of Jupe last.
. was seen IN one OF our back settlements.
Y several persons who were unable 10 ap-
.ehend bin,
lie undoubtedly strayed INTO the woods, be.
lost; and pefished Of hunger. The stu
aton IN which ne was found, gives strong
'idenee that reason had regained her thons
he died. In his enfeebIed state he had
.obabiy remained several days at that place
here be was found.
lie had formed a large bed Of leaves and
bblsb, scraped together for several feet
iif'''' anu hda EXTENDED hlnlseif perfectly
ralght, upon his back, with bis feet towards
Q East, and his head 10 the West. and ex-
tly as he could have been laid BY others.
is arms were folded upon. his breast, .bis
orderly arranged, and several other
were noticed, which convinced
ose present, that the poor man was fully
Chat bis time had omc
His remains were properly Inferred, and a
1oden slab, with a suitable Inscription.
ected, His grave Will be found nj the
extremity of Massawepa lake,
ar the south east corner Of the township
Lied " JAMESTOWN about eight miles rortI,-
Of Tnpper's Lake, and two miles west
Racket river.