Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-09-15
From the Ogdensburgh Republican
DEATH FROM STARVING IN THE
WOODS.

WOODS.
On the second Of August last, two wei
known hunters and valuable citizens of ou
county, Moses Leonard, and VIM. c. Leon
ard, of Pierrcpont, discovered in the heart o
our great Northern wilderness, about thirty
miles from any settlements, the dead body o
an unknown man, who had apparently como
to his death from starvation or sickness
Messrs. Leonard came home Immediately
and reported their discovery, with such de.
scriptions as they could give to one of our
coroners, DR. Darius Clark of Canton.
DR.. Clark felt bound to take upon him
self the difficult duty Of going personally to
examine into the cause of the death of the
unknown man, to identify the body, and
give It decent burial At his invitation, a
number of our citizens from Canton, Rus
sell, and Pierrepont, with a praiseworthy
prompiness, turned out with him OH the 18th
ult. for a severe tramp in the woods. After
travelling three days in an unbroken wilder
ness they were conducted by Messrs. Leon
ards to the remains of the unfortunate man,
who was doomed to perish Of hunger in a
savage wild, at a season when the flies and
mosquitoes are almost as tormentng as the
pangs Of famine.
The, body proved, beyond doubt, to be
that of poor lunatic, who, for about three
years previously had found refuge in our
county poor house. His clothing was iden-
tilted by the keeper of the poor house, his
shirt having the poor house mark upon it.
A description, somewhat particular, may
reach the eye of some friend or relative of
the deceased. About three years since, he
was found wandering in our county, insane
and destitute, and an entire stranger His
age about forty; in stature tall, over six feet,
and well formed, with great muscular pow
err; light complexion, and brown hair lie
was active, and industrious, disposed to be
orderly and peaceable, unless irritated du-
ring his occasional fits Of madness, when he
preferred solitude and moody silence His
head and countenance, as well as his con-
versation, denoted much intellectual power.
All inquiries to learn from him his identi-
ty, or even his name, proved entirely fruit
less, though it is pretty certain that he was
a native of the southeastern part of our
State. He constantly refused to give an ac-
count Of himself, OF his name, or his former
home, yet in his conversation with other
paupers, be exhibited ain intimate acquan-
lance with the geography and particular To-
calities of the Hudson river counties, and
also appeared TO possess much general
knowledge, which he would often evlnce in
setting right other paupers, when they were
talking ignorantly. With much sagaciiy he
eluded all attempts to learn his name. He
was good penman, and fond of writing,
but when desired to write his name, he
!
sopbriquet, with a quizzng expression of
countenance. His insanity appeared TO be
beyond remedy. Oar superintendents of
poor, and others, are forced to believe that
extreme harsh treatment had aggravated his
malady, and given bin so much dread of
discovering his identity.
In the month of May last, one of the SUI
perntendents who was going on business to
the southeastern partio the State, resolved
10 take the deceased with him, in the hope
of finding his former home. 'Bill," las he
was called) ascertained the object and alb
seconded from his keeper. About the first
OF June last, he was seen in one of our
back settlements, by several persons who
were unable to apprehend him,a sRe $3.50 d
lie undoubtedly strayed into the woods,
became lost, and persisted of hunger. The
situation in which he was found, gives strong
evidence that reason had regained her
throne before he died In his enfeebed
state he had probably remained several days
at the place where he was found,
He had formed large bed of leaves and
rubbish, scraped together for several feet
around him, and had extended himself per-
fectly straight, upon his back, with his feet
towards the East, and his head to the West,
as exactly as he could have been laid by
others His arms were folded upon his
breast, his clothes orderly arranged, and sew
eral other particulars were noticed, which
convinced those present, that the poor man
was fully sensible that his time had come.
His remains were properly inferred, and
wooden slab, with suitable inscription,
erected. His grave will be found at the
northeast extremity of Massawepa lake,
near the southeast corner of the township
called Jamestown" about eight miles
northwest of Tupper's Lake, and two miles
west Of Racket river.