The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-04-01

From the Florence (Ala.) Gazette. Feb. 191
Something over three years ago, young maa, ap-
stopped at cambridge, noted landing, situated at
the foot OF the Muscle Shoals in this county He gave
his name as Coins, from Knox couty, East Tennes
see. He came with crowd OF flatboatmen, whic'.
annually descend from the upper waters of the Ten
and sy for 1 At s M as the
served to be sometimes eccentric, though always
quiet taciturn, and approaching to melancholy.
After time he took up his abode in one Of those
numerous caves which are found in the high and pre-
the Tennessee river from Shoal Greek to Florence.
The one selected by this poor outcast was situated
few hundred yards from the ferry, and near the
public road He was often seen sitting at the mouth
of his lonely cell, or reclining on some projecting
rock, baskng in the genial rays of autumnal sun.
He summed all approach, and many were the cold
and heartless Jeers passed upon him by the passers
by. Soon however he disappeared and all traces of
him were lost. Two long years passed away-years
long to be remembered, as having witnessed, one at
least Of the most dreary protracted and intensely
severe winters that ever frosted the bosom of our
earth. One day last December two men were hunt
ing over the Broken River hills, attached to the
plantation of Mr.. John j. Craig, and discovered
Coins in the hollow of large chestnut tree. They
knew him and conversed with him; but he obstinatey
resisted all persuasions to go home with them, ana
warned them against any attempt to eoerce him in.
The men went home and reported their strange in
teryiew, and in company with several others returned
place for several days. but he never returned They
then procured pack of hounds, which had been
trained to hunt fugtlves and secured the hills; the
dogs soon struck upon trail, and dashed off under
full cry for more than two miles to the mouth Of
Shoal creek, but owing to the rugged character Of
the country, the hOrsemen could not keep up, and
the fugitive was lost in the waters of ShOal Greek.
All further pursuit was then abandoned, and many
believed the whole story fabulous until last Sunday
week, boy belonging to Mr. A. p Nicely reported to
his master that he had seen q man upon the bluffs
near noted cave on the plantation Of Judge Posey.
Mr.. Nicely Immediately collected a number of gentle
men and proceeded to the spot indicated The day
was one of the most Indictment of the season. On
nearing the mouth of the cave they discovered the
shivering form Of the poor wretch buried beneath
covering Of straw. He paid no attention to their
summons to come FORTH and one Of the party
(houghtlessly we hope) tossed in dog, which max
ing furious assault brought the hapless recuse to
his feet.
He then came out in state Of almost perfect nu-
dity, presenting q picture of abject misery and
squallid wretchedness which utterly beggars all de-
scrpton, and we shall not attemptit. He appeared
perfectly sane but gave satisfactory reasons for
his singular conduct, beyond general charge that
the world had treated him badly and he had deter
mined to come out from it. He protested that he
had done man harm, and begged to be allowed 10
continue his solitary life, but he finally agreed to go
home with Mr.. Eastrage, which heidi, and when we
last heard Of him he was suffering from violent
cold contracted no doubt by his sudden change from
worse than savage to a civilized life.