The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-09-24
From Philadelphia Press Of July 25, 1873.
A REAL HERMIT
A queer Character.

monks OF Europe, who IN their monster
les, far from the habitation of man, seek to
keep themselves within themselves, the
readers of the Press are all doubtless ia
miliar. But the poet idea OF finding sol
itude in the heart of every crowd by those
who seek It Alright is not often attempted
to be realized-that is, physically realized
And yet there is in the midst Of this dense
ly populated city person who, practically,
has discarded society, stopped still IN the
march of time. and allowed men ana Things
to 90 by him. Such an oddity exists IN the
person of IRA Townsend, who is well
known to the inhabitants OF West Phiia-
delphia as the "IIermit." A short time
since a reporter of the Press paid visit to
the hut of this eccentric individual, built
against the side of the fence which cncloses
the back end of the garden Of Mr.. James
rrimblc. and on what will be the sidewalk
If Cherry street, above Thrty-third, when
pavcd, but is now an allcy-way used for the
reception of garbage from the residences
surrounding.
In from, OF the door OF tumblc-down,
partly brick and frame structure. stood the
occupant and proprietor, man about five
feet six inches in height with pcrceptiblc
-toop of shoulders, bowling underline weight
Of years, but with a frame that seemed
hardened and calculated to last many yeats
yet, and face rather pleasing than other
wise, except for n shade of settled mel
ancholy. which gave an expression of pain
10 the whole countcnancc, concealed though
it was partially by coat of grizzly I'M
trimmed whiskcrs. His hat cast back ox-
posed broad and somewhat intellectually
marked forehead. His garments consisted
of pair of dirty brown brcechcs-whch
had evidently seen service for many years
and scarcely reached to his ankles;
irock coat, torn and tattcred, seemingly
willing and almost ready to part company
with its owner; a shirt, once white, Int now
of al unrccognizahle color. and \ collar of
q like hue. Upon his head perchcd a high
white hat, which tended somewhat to lend
him an air of responsibility. hut his whole
condition was calculated to impress one
with the idea that before him stood an OH
ject of charity.
With cordial good morning." our re-
porter greeted him, and received in reply
cold nod of recognition. Upon expressing
a desire to visit
rns INTERIOR OF MS RESIDENCE,
it was complied with reluctantly, A scene
of squalor and filth, rarely eq allied even
in Alaska street or some of the other infcc-
ted districts, presented itself In one end
was couch, filled up with deer-skin COW
ering; on shelf were the household uten-
sls, consisting of sugar-b bowl, coffee pot,
frying pan. &c and in a small fireplace
were the dying-embers of the fire by which
he had prepared his morning meal. This,
the sole apartment of the house, was about
six feet by seven, and the roof SO low that
an erect position could not he had. Seat
ing himself upon Il stool, "Thc Hermit"
relapsed into a seemingly melancholy state,
from which our representative reused him,
and conversation ensued, which indicated
that the man was rather more eccentric
than disguised at the world and its folics.
HIS Personal HISTORY,
which was entered into at length, may be
summed up rs TO lows: His name is Ira
Townsend he was born about the year 1915,
in Rutland county, Vermont and is one of
family of seven brothers and five sisters.
In his early youth he never cared for the
association of his fellow-men, but built a
hut in the mountains, and lived there for
many years. When about 25 years of age
Il dispute arose between himself and a
younger brother regarding the division of a
tract of land which their father had given
them, when young Ira secretly left the
neighborhood of his birth, and began a
wandering life residing for q short time at
such dismal spots as best suited his peculiar
fancy, and at last reached this city. Ar
irving here some fifteen or sixteen years
ago, he built himself the present diapidat-
ed-looking hut, in what was then an almost
deserted locality, but which is now sur
rounded by the handsome and palatial res
licences of Mr.. James Trinible, DIR. Bur
den, Edward II. Williams, John Ferguson,
and others of our well-known citizens. Du-
ring this period he has never eaten meal
outside of the hut, ana very seldom slept
anywhere else, excepting upon the ground
in close proximity. He has
NEVER RIDDEN IN HoRsE-cAR,
railway car, or steamboat in his life, and
fears to undertake u ride lest some accident
should befall him. during the fifteen years
he has resided in that locality, he has sell
dom been farther than half mile from his
home, and has crossed the Schuykill river
and been into the city but twice, upon both
occasions losing his way and having to be
piloted home again. From the door of his
humble abode view may be obtained of
the new Masonic Temple, the Cathedral,
and other handsome buildings which adorn
our city, and he expresses ii great desire to
visit these, but is afraid he would become
homesick before he finished his sight-sce-
ing, and in consequence has never attempt
ed the journey
The hermit can read and write to a linn
tied extent, and gains superficial knowl-
edge of what is occurring in the world
around him from such newspapers as he
picks up. In his religious belief he is very
peculiar, regarding the sun, moon, and
stars as separate and distinct gods, and he
regards these planets with feelings of the
greatest awe and reverence. Heaven and
a state of future bliss he believes mythical,
and accepts only the realistic and reason
able view of such IDEAS
CONCERNING TUE CENTENNIAL,
he waxed eloquent to degree, and although
knowing very little of what wa, intended
to be done on that OCCASION, the fire of the
true Screen Mountain boys" was aroused
in his heart, and he expressed n feryent
hope that he would be spared to witness
the celebration. lie mentioned the fact of
having heard that the city owned fine
Park up there (pointing nortl) and said he
meant to visit it some day.
Reporter. Do you intend to live this sort
Of life much longer?
Hermit. Well, l did think of going to
Vermont next fall, but am afraid to travel
on these railroads. If had good horse,
though, l should ride there, and then |
should have no fear of accident.
Reporter. Would you not be wealthy
man if you laid claim 10 your property in
Rutland county?
Hermit. guess so (hesitatingly and
doubtfully.) 1t was on the suburbs OF the
thriving town of Woodstock, n d | suppose
it must be valuable now. My brothers
would not know me, as it has been about
thirty years since | have seen any of my
family or heard from them, and should |
put in my claim it would occasion conten-
ton, SO think | shall leave them enjoy it.
''The Hermit as this odd being is call
ed, is regarded by the residents of the
neighborhood as quiet and peaceable man.
He earns subsistence during summer by
gardening, in which he is very tasteful,
and in winter lies almost in do mant state
in his cabin ypnturinD ont onIv "a oo,,e;on