The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1867-06-05
Hermit Life in a City.

The Dubuque Qowa) papers of the 10th inst, give
an account Of the singular life Of Tom Kelley, of
the pioneers of that State, who died the day before
He was an Irishman and fonnd his way to Galena in
1884, and in the spring following pitched his tent in
Dubuque and went mining. JEFF. Davis, then Lieut..
jeff Davis, drove them off. III came back in 1884
and commenced mining. He was one of the most in
dustrous miners. 4D
In 1884 he struck a big lode on the bluff named
after him. Several years AFTER he discovered another
lode which also yielded largely In 1888 he built
furnace on his bluff, and commenced smelling his own
material. He lived all this time alone, only mining
with men his business compelled him to do so,
working hard either prospecting smelling or mining
In 1851 he shipped enormous quantity Of lead
for New York via New Orleans. He had it insured
for $40 600. On the way it lost in the ocean, and
he went to St. Louis to collect the insurance money,
receiving drafts on New York for the amount He
started for New York with the drafts in his pocket
get them cashed himself. At Albany, his strange ap-
Ipearance-long hair rough clothes and singular de-
meanor-caused nl-bred boys to follow and annoy
him.
The result was, that one day he fired pistol at a
yexing crowd and mortally wounded man. He was
tried judged to be insane, and sent to the Utica In
sane Asyum the State authorities taking possession
Of his drafts which they have retained SINCE to
| the amount of $4,000 What became of the rest is
not known He remained at Utica three years. we
think, when he escaped and made his way back to
| Dubuque.
He then built cabin on the south side Of his bluff
It was composed of stones, low and almost COW
cred with earth. It had no windows and but one
small door, Below it had piece Of ground, fenced
with brush which he cultivated. He did his own
cooking and washing. His bluff covered as it was
with trees the resort of scores OF people every
summers day and is a most inviting picnic spot. 1T
was free to ALL if they would not abuse his
approach his hut Either Of these transgressons an
moved him excessively, and the transgressor soon
made to feel the best place for him was somewhere
else.
In '62 or 63 the roof of this hut caycd in, and he
vacated it, after putting up worse enc west OF it, in a
more retired spot.
He continued his prospecting all these years, and in
6f struck another lode, which has added largely to
bis wealth.
His singular mode Of life and reputed wealth, as
well as bis rough appearance, made him notorious.
he was opposed to giving money for any purpose
whatever and rarely did such thing. We believe,
however that several times he, unashed, gave Bishop
Sulyth money to help build the cathedral, being
catholic in religion.
He was quite intelligent on many subjects, though
he read very little, any, and wrote less Being aIons
was his enjoyment Winter" he would say, 'sis thu
pleasant time. There don't nobody but cows comt
on the bluff in winter His use of the comb was IN
frequent, and belief in the efficacy Of water Wonle
have been good for him.. His hut close and dark
even in daylight, save as candle lighted it, with h
ground for his floor.
He was taken i'll month ago, with bilious fever
Then boils and carbuncles nearly covered his body
and weakened him so that his physicians could no
rally him His wealth is estimated at $780, 900 by hi
relatives though where it s the thirty acres o.
the bluff and the mineral in his yard, one knows
He leaves two brothers, sister, two nepheWs and
niece.
a BARBER PUZZLED Three brothers bearing 9 re
Ia