The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-02-08
WEWACUs HILL's HERMIT DEAD.
The Inst OF "a entering Deiu.ion that once
Crnzed Eastern Connectic"t,

NoRwIcu Conn, Feb 4.-Iloubcn Stafford,
who wns widely known through eastern Con-
nertisui for nrnrly quarter Of n century MS the
"Old Hermit Of Wcwacus Ill.," is dead. He
was over s3 years Of age. Tho patient oncrgy
and untiring zenl and faith with which he toilcd
ON in the ince Of steadily difficulties
md di4npponimcnts furnish remarkable eN
annie ~ u dolusiOn that was honestly indulgod
and that ended only with life.
when the California gold fever OF 1s49 swept
The country Stafford WINS n mill operative in the
WOODEN factory Of Srhovillc at Montvillc. a few
miles south of this city, His Imagination WIS
nnnmcd by the wonderful stories that reached
his ears OF tho fabulous wealth stored in the
California rocks. He began to neglect his regu-
lar work and spont most Of hs time rambling
among the hills seeking. with hammer and
chscl, for traces Of gold and silver. He carried
n cnpacious carpct-bag which he flllcd with
rock specimens. transferring them every night
10 his StorchOuSe ut home,
Encountoring George Roberts. whose brain
was filled with similar visions and hopes OF
suddenly acquired wealth, and who had found
seemed to be rich in ore. Stafford Joined him.
and both men went Ardently To WORK ana aug
and hammered and blasted at tho hinty rock,
while, the ncighbors looked on. smiled, and
talked OF lunatics and fools AT length thor
money wgs exhausted; Then they organ
Mining Company and many woil.known and
influential men Of Connecticut and Rhode ISL
and Joined in the enterprise: money flowed n.
n steam engine and Il crushing machine werc
added to the other nclities for working the ore.
houses were erected for the accommodation OF
the workmen. and the work went vigorously on.
One of tho most active members. n MIR. Fillmore,
sent nuggets, which he said were taken from
the mine. to experts In New York, md the YER
dict was that they were rich in gold and silver.
MincralOgists came from different parts OF this
country, and Canada, and shares in thr mine
were sold at greatly inflated figures: MIR. Fill
more. thus far. had taken all the steps in OBJ
tanning analyses Of the ore: but at length Mr..
Roberts suspected fraud, and personally sub
mittcd specimens from the mine TO the judg-
mont Of experienced geologists. He nevcr
announced the report OF the experts to
silent, and soon aftorward withdrew from
the qssQ,iation. Other members openly nc.
cused Fillmore Of fraud and refused 10 accept
shurcs for which they had not vet paid. law
suit followed. and the rottrnn 'ss Of the mining
company was thoroughly EXPOSED. II dissolved
| like "a bubble. and the members. with the ex-
crption of Stafford. returned to their former
Stafford ncvor awoke from his dream Hs
/ plcnsant home and comfortable, property ut
Bean lliil had boon an y Heed his iamlly hrOknn
/ up md scattered. and he WINS pennlc-s. H.
. hu.t "a lIttlN stone house under the shadow ui
/ the dark ccdars that cluster about the mine,
/ supplied 1t with few nee, ssary household
J chairs an 4 % table, aud there he lived alone
/ until a frW months before his death. He spcni
! h.S dals III iigeing at The mine or siuiyihs The
/ parrs oi mu.ly. youu W 'avyd tr,l ~ ON MN
/ ing; hr slept IN the init overhead. His shelves
/ were .uden tn the d"lusivr specimens that hc
! had taken nom tao mine. ami his lnth ~ tnt
! existence OF -oll ia tho rock around his dwell
] ing was unsNhke to the end.
! st length. ~ AZ" crcpt on him. his frame be
! cnmn rrf .bicu and His work unnytiing. H.
/ grow wrukor and weaker with the approach
/ Of winter. and the attention Of the town au-
/ tpriti.- V called tn his condition. lie Was
/ unah, go take care uf himself and It bccnmC
/ u"e -slry g. r'muNr MIN 90 the p1Orhous'.
! II wA- u sal day for the old nan. who had
/ dreamed of the w,nlth Of u Kingdom. when h,
! babe farewell g. his mine. His spirit was
/ broken by confinement within the narrow WALL
/ Wfa4ke