Bellevue gazette. [volume] (Bellevue City, N.T. [i.e. Neb.]) 1856-1858, 1858-08-12
M l SCEL L A NEOUS.
Noted Characters.
NUMBER TWO.

WIN. NC Farland was born IN the
township of Brigallen, Scotland, June lS
1903. His father, John Nc Farland
was farmer in comfortable circumstanc.
es and distinguished for his industry and
integrity aud sound judgment. lie was
Jealous High Churchman. On the ma.
ternal side was an unusually strong men.
tai organization, though combined with
the delicate sensibliles that form woman's
chief adornment. There were two broth
ers older than William, and sister young
er than William, in common with the
others, enjoyed the advantages of COM
mon-school education, as then afforded -
that is, in winters went to school, and
summers worked at the plow.
la his fifteenth year, or thereabout, he
was sent to high school or academy, as
it would be termed here. in neigboring
township, where he remained some two
years. Of his scholastic achievements
here we are unable to speak. Our inform
ant, though, states that from quite child
he was remark bic for his controversial
ability, and tina he was often known to de.
moIish the arguments of even the oldest
heads. His thoughts and method were
always very clear, and cleary enunciated.
Mathematics was his favorite study.
After leaving the academy he assisted
on his fathers farm year or two. Dur
ing this time he employed his leasure
hours in reading and study, and rarely
mingled with those of his own age in their
customary sports and festivities. When
ne was about twenty he assumed the
charged of school in a town a few miles
distant. 1t was here o. Cured what prov
ed 10 be the turning point in his life. To
make the recital short, 1t appears he be-
came attached to beautiful blue-eyed
mad. that they were betrolhed, and that
she married his brother
Meanwhile numerous were their tend
er meetings under the trystng tree, and
VOWS of CO stancy. Many were the sweet
tokens of remembrance and letters burn
ing with love that passed between them.
AT length his next older brother--named
knox-came to visit him. and was intro
duced to his affianced. This brother in.
duced the object of his brothers affections
to elope with him. Crushed in spirit,
broken in heart, William, the subject of
this sketch, turns to go--nol home--but
to flee the recollection of his misery. The
next few years, whittier he wandered
and how, our informant could never gath
er from MIR. Nc Farland, though, as he
says, he essayed it time and again. 1t
were hardly difficult to fancy his poignant
grief-as his subsequent career shows
that he never opllived this sudden blow to
the fervent hopes and dreams of his
youth
In lS30he appears in New York. His
taltered garments and long hair make him
an object of notice, tili finally, from being
known to lodge in lime kiln, he comes
to be designated as the Lime kiln Man"
His general career from this time TO the
present is well known. Though he never
begged, he never refused chality when
tendered him. 1t was supposed he slept
in the Park, lumber-yards. etc., in sum.
mer and in the lime.kiln in the winter.
This is not enlrel y correct. During the
past seveteen-years he has been con-
slant occupant of the iime-kiln of Mr.. III
b. Knapp, in his present place in Four
teenth Street, between Avenues A and B
and former place, corner of Avenue b
and Second Street.
1t is rarely he has remained away
night, either in winter or summer. He
was there punctually at dark, and invairi.
ably went away by daylight These lime
kilns comprise generally three furnaces.
twelye.to fifteen feet deep which are fill. |
ed with oyster and clam shells, from
which the lime was made, and fire kept
beneath them. In the winter this fire is
kept up without in,ermssion. The top of
these stacks is level with the street under
meath, and is divided into various apart
ments.
Formerly the " Lime-kiln Man" made
his lodging. place on the top of the mo nth
of one of these stacks, till, getting one Of
his hands badly burned, he solicited more
secure accommodations below, which were
readily accorded to him. and here he has
invariably slept. His mode was to lie on
the Stacking lime, Sometimes, when very
cold, he would envelope himself, with the
exception of his head, in he Stacking ma.
terial, We took occasion 10 visit the
place he has made his home the last few
years, and found it neat, and by no means
so repulsive as we had at first imagined.
The white appearance of everything gave
it a cleanly, if not an inviting look, and
the Stacking lime is not as bad resting.
place as one nigh, conceive. The Lime. |
kiln Man" took his supper here, compris.
inc sUrh food as be haJ n;cl,al ~