The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1877-04-11
A LONELY LIFE AND DEATH.
End of the Existence Of Hermit Of
Forty-One Years Standing.
[Dingman's Ferry pa Letter TO the New York
Timesl

lDingman's Ferry PA Letter 10 the New York
Times.l
Austin Sheldon, who has lived for Al years
the life OF hermit IN a cave in lonely
place in the mountains nine miles southeast
OF this place, was found frozen to death
in a deep snow drift near the entrance
of his cave on Friday evening last. A terri
bic storm of snow and wind had prevailed
in the mountains for two days, and Tuesday
evening, contrary to his custom, Sheldon
had visited the cabin of some hoop pole cut
tiers, about mile from his abode, to buy
something to eat, he having been without
food for two or three days. The cutters in
vited the hermit TO remain with them all
night, and not attempt TO brave the fury Of
the storm by returning to his cave. He had
not spent night from his cave since he in
habited IL, and he refused to stay at the
cabin. The snow piled in such drifts before
the storm was over that no communication
with the settlements outside could
be obtained until Friday. The cut
tiers themselves we're nearly frozen to
death. The hermit, although nearly ~ years
old, managed TO reach within few feet of
his cave, when he was overcome and buried
10 feet deep hy the snow. His features were
fearfully distorted, and his knees were
Drawn up 10 his chin.
1t does not seem credible that this man
who buried himself in the wilderness for
over half his life, and who at last met so
terrible death, might have lived in ease
and luxury, and died surrounded by friends
in the best society. He was born near Stony
Creek, Conn.,, in 1906 and when he was
26 years old married lady named Tuthill,
the daughter of a wealthy gentleman living
near the city Of Hartford. Sheldons family
was the leading one In the town of Brad
ford, where he has a brother and sister still
living. His wife died ten years after their
marriage, and Sheldon soon afterward dis
appeared. He had always been an enthusi-
asst in religion, and had often expressed
wish TO go to heather countries as mission
airy. His friends believed that he had gone
TO some such country, and never hearing
from him thought he had died there.
Forty-five years ago the country in the
northeastern part of Pennsylvania was still
in great part primitive wilderness. Lum-
bermen had commenced invading the for
ests however. In 1888 party of prospect
ing numbering men made a camp on the
northern slope OF the Moosc mountains, in
Wayne county, Pennsylvania, and one day
discovered a cave occupied by a man, miles
from any human habitation. He said he
had lived there year, and had been roam
ing the forests OF Connecticut Vermont
and New York, looking for such place as
his cave for five years. He gave his name as
Austin Sheldon, but told nothing of his
past. The lumbermen growing more plenty,
he left his cave and was heard Of no more by
them.
In ls43 two hunters discovered man liv-
ing in the cave near which the hermit was
found dead on Friday. This was Austin
Sheldon. He told them he had not seen a
human being for ten years. He continued
TO live there, but nothing was known about
him until last summer, when q paragraph
appeared in the New York Times, mention
ing the fact that man named Austin Shell
don was living as hermit in cave in the
wilderness of Pike county, Pennsylvania,
his past being mystery. This item was
seen by Sheldon's relative in Connecticut,
and brother and sister visited his cave.
They offered him everything that wealth
could bestow il he would leave the cave and
go home with them but he refused. From
these relatives the facts as 10 Sheldon's early
life were learned.
Sheldon seldom left his cave and then only
TO obtain fish, game, roots or berries for his
food. At the time of his death he was bent
and whnkled, with long, matted, gray locks,
and beard reaching almost to his waist.
The clothes he wore he had not taken
of his body for % years. They were
tattered and ragged, and held together by
hickory withes. The hermit never washed,
and his face and hands were encrusted with
dirt His cave was about eight feet square,
dark, damp and loathsome. He slept in a
rude chair, surrounded with bones, dirt and
rubbish of all kinds. He was very taciturn,
speaking willingly only on the subject of
religion 1t was his boast that he had read
his Bible through nearly 10e times, and that
he communed personally with God and the
ancient prophets. When he walked he used
long staff. and his old, well worn Bible
was fastened to his leathern girdle. Forest
fires frequently swept over the mountains
about the hermits cave, and many times
it was surround on all sides by fire. The
hermit, saying that he was in the hands of
God, never voluntarily sought safety when
thus imperiled, and courageous natives often
saved his bife at the risk of their own. He
was often saved from death by freezing in
the same manner. His only explanation of
his living in the wilderness alone was that
he wanted nothing to take his thoughts
from God. AS he had considerable money,
according to his relatives, at the time he left
Connecticut, many believe that he buried it
about his cave.