The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-03-17
=, Two 8. 7nss' Dzvor1oN TO A BsorHrn

1.-Two 3. 7ERs' DEVOTION TO A BRorHsl
fRT-FouR YEARS IN CLOSE CoNF1NR
MENT. "A very remarkable instance o
sistsrly devotion has transpired in Con
cord. Lewis County, Kentucky, which
We propose to relate, and ask il the facts
and example have their parallel in the
past or present generation.
| Judge James Dozier migrated to Ken.
lucky at an early day, when this section
was wilderness. He reared family OF
daughters, and his youngest child was q
ooy. As usual. the pet was gifted with
promising fruits, that made the brother
near and dear to his home circle.
In 1878 Ringgold Dozier, when but
fifteen years old, attended religious re.
viVal. The religious excitement so nf.
fected his mind as to unfit him for labo, I,
Ut manual pursuits, and tue care of this
youth devolved upon his eldest sisters,
who have assumed the direction of his
affairs. and have kept an untiring and
unceasing watch over this unfortunate
brother for sixty nine years.
For hfty-four years. Ringgold Do
zler's life and abode have been volun-
tary CLOSE confinement within tho pre.
clnots OF the holse and home OF his aged
sisters, secluding himself in small
room on the ground floor. with walk
OF twenty-five feet for daily exercise.
the whole plauked up. Within this
solitary space of his choice. he lives, to
Gil appearances, happy and oontented.
unseen except by his two surviving sis
ters, who now administer to his daily
wants with true aisterly love and devo.
hoT: One is always present ut his call,
and both are eager to favor his simplest
wants. Time and age seem to knit
closer the fond attachment of these
worthy sisters to the care OF this do.
mented brother. and they will not en-
trust, the valued charge beyond their
own personal administration. Even the
CHARITABLE offers of State bcnefuence are
Indignantly rejected.
These sisters are not dependent, nor
DO they solicit aid. It seems to be
pride, and. indeed, n pleasure. to study
tae interest and comfort OF the lone
brother, and more to encourage him in
his religious and devotional exercises.
they join together in chanting his Me-
thodist songs and lessons that he learn-
ed up to tho day reason dcparted, and
religious enthusiasm took possession of
his tender mind. He knows aud talks
understandiDgly Of all events up to
1918 and will recognize his old asso-
ciates ,i yet living. at tho first glance.
Iwo OF his sisters that lived and died
devotlng their whole lives to the benefit
and Interest of their invalid brother, he
now calls as IT living, aud is promptly
answered by tho surviving devotees to
his wants.
80 quiet and seclnded do this peaceful
family live, that neighbors know nothing
OF this hermit's existence. Two genera
tions have passed since this man has
lived III exile from the world. Hero. in
the midst OF n dense moving population.
stea eamboats, railroads and telegraphs
nave been invented and established in
sight OF this mans abode, yet hs knows
1t not. His idea of transfer is associated
with the primitive custom of 1818-rid-
ing on horseback. His thoughts are
centred on his Bible, which is read and
re-read until its pages are 80 worn as to
be unlntelligible to all eyes but his own.
that are black and piercing when be-
raises them from his Bible to give
stranger an unwelcome stare. His locks
are whlto with age. and his flowing
od0 Va tuC Olu
he doubtless owes his good health to
his sisters care and anxious watchful-
ness, which has extended through an
uninterrupted period of moro thun hulf
a century. verifying the truth that ..facts
are stranger than fiction"
these sisters entertain tho fond hope
that Ringgold Dozier's ardently religious
zeni will be rewarded by ultimate resto-
ra'ion, and their brother, through Gods
Provldence, will yet go forth and teach
poace on earth and good will among men.
The communion which this hermit
processes to hold with those who have
gone before, strengthens tho sisters
a.oidlng faith that their pious brother
ives In religious trance. Be that as it
may, the earnest religious dey ton and
ardent attachment to him is the only
INK that holds these good old sisters to
eRrth.- Cincinnati Times.
FIKE.-A small log house on the pre-