Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1869-05-12
Mysterious Affair 49, A Strange Man
Found In the Woods.


The most startling and thrilling sensation
it has been the lot of We locals to record fol
many year in this region came to light
yesterday, the following particulars of which
we have from Justice p b. Austin and
Deputy Sheriff James De Foe, the officer in
the case.
Yesterday afternoon parties came into
the city from point in the eastern portion
of the township of Greenfield, near the line
of the Detroit K Milwaukee Railroad, about
four miles from the Junction, reporting
that man had been found concealed in a
hollow stump, just east of the railroad, by
some person engaged in chopping wood
and whose attention had been attracted to
the place by the barking of dog which
they had with them.
1t was further stated that the person, who
ever he was, would give no account of him
sell, only that he had been nearly a week
in the stump: refused to leave his den, as
it emphatically was, and altogether giving
grounds for serious apprehensiOns as to his
condition and designs He was furnished
with food, and messenger dispatched to
the city for an officer.
The facts having been made known, Off
place in question, with orders to investi-
gate and bring the mysterious person in.
Upon arriving at the spot he was directed
TO large stump which had been followed
out by fire, and at the bottom of which the
man was still lying rolled up upon scanty
bed Of leaves and straw Upon being
given 10 understand that he must come
out he did so with reluctance, pre-
senting comical appearance, his face
blackened with smut from the walls of his
narrow domicile, his features pinch
ed with hunger and his limbs cramped and
distorted from the closeness of his recent
quarters. Being asked what he was doing
there, he began in whining and sniveling
manner TO say that he might as we'll stay in
there and die as to be hung. On being
further questioned he said he started from
st. Joseph, Mo-, week ago Monday last,
on his way to Portland, Me- his parents
and brothers and sisters living in that state; +;
that he was being pursued for something
he had done there-what IL was
he refused to tell-that on reaching
this city on Wednesday, the 14th
inst, he had left the cars and gone
out TO the place where he was found, and
crawled into the stump with the intention
Of remaining there till death. His trunk,
he said, had gone on, and he had but little
money with him. These statements were
partially corroborated by search Of his
person, upon which was found a railroad
ticket from st. Joseph to Portland
baggage check, and between three and
four dollars in money He had also sill
YER watch. In the course OF his conversa-
ton he said he was not TO blame for what
he had done, and was now being hunted TO
the gallows but would rather die where he
was alone than be caught.
The Sheriff brought him TO the Junction,
and thence on the cars 10 the CITY, where,
after consultation with the prosecuting at
torney, he was committed by Justice Aus
tin on awarrant for being disorderly per-
son. His examination will take place TO-
morrow friday.
This MYSTERIOUS person Is about FIVE feet
nine inches in height, dark brown hair
full beard, Kossuth hat, wears light calf
boots, black coat and pants and light
vest, presenting generally respectableap.
pearance. He is apparently about twenty
eight or thirty years Of age, and gives his
name as james N. Parsons.
The conduct and explanation rendered
thus far give no clue to the unraveling of
what is undoubtedly q mysterious affair
II can hardly be possible that the man 10
insane, since bis whole appearance denies
such conclusion besides all surrounding
circun stances, the ticket, check, etc., cor
roborate his story thus far. He wasalmost
famished for food, drank oil the water that
was allowed him on the cars, and upon ar
irving at the Jail wanted 10 know for Gods
sake II there was any water there.