The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-04-05

STRANGE sToRY-THE REcIusE OF THE HOLLOW
TREE-Something three years ago, young man,
apparently about twenty-five thirty years of age,
stopped Banbridge, noted landing, situated the
foot of the Muscle shoals in this county He gave his
name as Coins, from Knox county, East Tennessee He
came with crowd Of hatboalmen which annually de.
scend from the upper OF tie Tennessee and arry
for al the foot OF the shoals Coins had remained
after his migratory companions had all gone their
HIS conduct observed 10 be sometimes eccentric,
though always quiet tacilurn and approaching 10 mel
ancholy. After time he took up his abode in OF
those which are found in the high and
precpilous bluffs skrling along the northern shores of
the Tennessee river from Shoal creek Florence The
one selected by this poor outcast situated few
hundred ards from the ferry and the public road He
was often seen sitting the mouth OF his lonely CELL
reclining projecting rock, baskng the genial
rays OF auumnal He Stunned all approach and
many the cold and hearess jeers passed upon HIM
by The passers by. Soon, however, he disappeared and
all OF him were lost. Two long years passed
away-years long 10 be remembered, having witnessed
one least, OF the most dreary, potraced, and intensely
severe winters that frosted the bosom of earth
One day las, December two hunting the
Boken river hills, attached 10 the plantation OF Mr. John
J. Craig and discovered Coins in the hollow OF large
chesnut tree. They knew him and conversed with hlm
but he obsna,ely resisted all persuasons 10 go home
with them, and warned them against any attempt 10
coerce him in. The went home and reported their
strange interview, and in company with several Others
returned the tree but Coins had gone they watched the
place for several days, but he never returned They
then procured pack of hounds. which had been trained
TO hum fuglves and secured the hills the dogs soon
struck upon trail. and dashed of under full cry for
more than two miles TO the mouth Of Shoa creek but
owing the rugged character OF the country the horse.
men could no, keep Up, and the fugitive los, 10 The
waters Of Shoal creek All further pursuit was then
abandoned, aud many believed The whole story fabulous
until last Sunday week, boy belonging 10 Mr. A
p Nicely reported 10 his that he had seen man
upon the bluffs noted cave on the plantation Of
Judge Posey Mr.. Nicely Immediately collected number
OF gentlemen and proceeded TO the spot indicated The
day OF the most iRclement OF the season. On
nearing the mouth OF the they discovered the sbiv.
ering form of the poor ch buried beneath covering
OF straw He paid attention 10 their summons 10
forth. and one OF the party (lhoughlessy hope)
tossed in dog which making furious assault brought
the hapless recuse to his feet
He then cane out state OF almost perfect nudity,
presenting picture OF abec misery and squalld wretch
edness which Utterly beggar. all description, and shall
not attempt it, He appeared perfectly sane, but gave no
satisfactory for his singular conduct, beyond
general charge that the world had treated him badly and
he had determined to ost from il. He protested
be had done no harm, and begged 10 be allowed
TO continue his solitary life, but he finally agreed 10 go
home with Mr., Easuage, which he did, and when we
last heard from him he suffering from violent cold,
contracted no doubt by his sudden change from worse
than savage to a civilized iie-FIOrenee (Aa Gazette.