The New York herald., 1870-02-21
A HERMIT in DUrCHESs COUNTY.
Commission Dc Lunatics Enquirond0--
Twenty Years Alone.

Com mission Do Lunatics Enquirond0-
Twenty Years Alone.
P0UGHKEEPsIE, Feb. 20, 1870.
the farmers In the interior of Duchess county are
Just now in q gossippnQ mood over recent com.
mission dc lunattco enQurend0 in the case Of one
Benjamin Ryder, farmer residing In. the town d
Washington who is upwards OF seventy years OF
age. The commission was executed on the petition
OF Albert n. Card grandson Of Mr. Ryder. 1t con.
vened last Friday morning at eleven O'clock ct D. z.
Wheeler's tavern, IN the town OF Washington, and
continued unnterruptedly throughout the day and
until two O'CLOCK the next morning. The proceed.
ings took place in the ballroom Of the tavern, and
crowds were present from all parts Of the county.
The attorneys engaged were Alard Anthony, Peter
Dorland, Cyrus Swan, Jerome B. Williams. William
J. Thorn John H. Tallman, the person presiding
being Mr. John Thompson.
BENJAMIN RYDER.
The subject OF the commission Is q man OF un.
usually large frame, drOOplng shoulders strongly
marked features and dark complexion. Ii he had
followed his early teachings, aud even now. u no
men IN the neighbOrnood. For twenty years slnoe
his wife died. he has lived the life OF hermit in nus
own shabby looking dwelling. and In all that time,
by industry and almost misery economy, no has
saved $4,000. He subsists chiefly on meal. samp
fore fore tue s commission, are dsgustlngy ditny and il
Is honestly thought he does not wash or change his
clothes twice month. He Ii the son Of clergy
country as "Old Priest Ryder.o
He DON'T KNOW HOW TO USE MONEY
The petitioner claims that he Is Of uns0und mind
and utterly incapable OF taking care OF his property,
and The evidence shows that by the power OF attor-
e
before the commission disclose q manner OF living
deemed possible As before stated, not soul has
lived in the house with him FOR twenty years. He
cooking, and several testified that he "llysd like
HOW HE HANDLES THE LUcRE.
npA -;tu fnoti mad n duriu lon ioor hA
saw Ryder paying man for some pork He first
took from his overc0at pocket roll OF greenbackS
wrapped In piece OF brown paper. In the paper
was q little hole, from which the hermit picked two
Insn ne @ anossr @
financial movement by taking OF his nat and re-
moving from the crown rolls and 'swads Of snin
NINETEEN MEN THINK HE Is SANE.
Nineteen OF the witnesses for the defendants testt-
fed that in their opinion he was OF sound mind and
capable OF managing his own AFFAIRS, one OF them
tesLnylng that "he Is more knave than fool"
THB JURY THINK NOT.
The Jury, however, decided otherwise. and In rheir
inqusition ind him OF unsound mind and incapable
THE HERMIT ENTRENCHEs HIMSELF.
During tho examination warrant was issued by
the commission ana placed In the hands OF Deputy
Benjamin Ryder before them. The o1icer rode ten
miles his residence, but could not get IN and re.
as the man was cntrenched behind bolted doors and
barred wiadows; thus the inquisiton proceeded
without MN.
THE FUTURE
The next thing in order will be the confirming OF
the nqulston verdict OF the jury by the supreme
Court, ana the appointment OF suitable person TO
take charge OF the person and estate OF Mr. Ryder 10
case there shall he no appeal or exception, which
understand Ii strongly urged
COOPERATION AMONG SAN FRANCISCO FOUNDRY
MEN.-Slx months ago the employees OF the Miners
foundry Of San Francisco entered Into plan by
which they were TO furnish ali the material and do
the work, paving to the owners OF the shops q cer-
tain percentage az rent and .as compensation for