The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1879-05-13
TRIO OF HER Mis-.

From the CINCINNATI ENQUIRER.
Lewis Center. Ohio, April IL. 1879.
Two and one halt miles west III this
place. and nn the west bank ut the
Scioto River. stands u stone house,
which Was built by pioneer named
Vaughn in 1910. The house frunts
east, overlooking the river, and has
twO dours on the front. but no
windows. The house has but two
roons. both entered from the outside.
and each ROOM has q window Ut six
lights IL eigh: by ten glass. The &c
cnpants of.the north room are three
hermits, whose lives and history are
peculiar because If their sameness.
The names Of these persons are Ben
jamin Vaughn. aged seventy-seven !;
Joshua Vaughn. aged seventy.6ve,
and Sarah Vaughn, aged seventy-three.
There were originally ten children IN
the family, most Of whom we're living
in 1884, when the father died. Pre-
vious 10 his death the aged pioneer
made distribution OF his property,
which vas Ia take effect after his
death. The division gave the house
and sixty acres Of land IN Sarah,
while B..pj.,min and Joshua each
received $50 acres. These people had
always enjoyed the good opinions of
their neighlors. though they had
always lived secluded aud were pecu-
liar in their habits, and this kept
many people. except their simple
neighborS. from visiting them. Per
sous living near grew accustomed Z"
their absence from about the farm
ON the roads. aud in time they were
almost forgotien, 80 much so that
they lived f"r,y-iwo years 10 one room.
without once going beyond their door
yard, aud vet II m.c:,-ionei mn special
comment. The other brothe,s and
sisters entered upon their inheritances.
and in time bs-came poor, having
wasted or lost their property in
various WAYS. \ visit to the hermits
was prompted by nv curiosity. and I
went over to their house tn learn some
thing Of the details Of their lives. The
door was opened by Joshua IN response
to nv knock. and 1 was invited into the
dingiest rOom ever saw inhabited BY
free white people. c.nld not tell
whether the Aoor was Of stone ~ earth.
while the walls were blsck with smoke
and cobwel's. AMI the windows 80
dingy that they admitted a few CLEANS
Of colore.l light. which was 10 harmony
with the general appearance of the
room. The emaciated faces Of the
three inmates were plainly visible BY
the light ii a bright fire, which was
burning in the wide. old-fashioned
fireplace. know not how to describe
the hsggard, skeleton faces aud nm
kempt appearance If these people. all
Of which seemed in such strange con.
irast with their pleasant voices and
invitations to he with them. The
room was without furniture of any
kind, except Of heap Of filthy bed
ding. which was thrown in one corner.
An old-iashisned crane in the fireplace
supported a tea-ket,Ie Of ancient
pattern, while Oh the hearthstoue
stood an old pewter teapot and three
teacups. This constituted the entire
housekeeping effects. Of these strange
people. Neither chairs. tables. stools,
or any article Of furniture whatever
we're visible. The stencil of the room
was anything but pleasant. but was
modified by the smoke from the pipes
Of the three. all Of whom were Wig.
orously engaged in smoking pipes
which might have done service since
the days Of Sir Walter Raleigh.
BENJAMIN informed me that the last
time he was away from the house.
until last year. vas f'rty three years
ago. when he a. 6fer attended .
| general muster al Delaware. Eighteen
years ago nephew named Robins'n,
then quite q lad, came to live With
them and look after their outdoor
interests. Over u year ago he Was
married, and then these hermits
decided to him their entire properly.
taking life leases ON it and its pro-
ducts, that they might he assured .
living. The recording Of there papen
came To the knowledge Of other
nephews and kinspeople. some Of
whom hogan suit to have guardian
appointed for them on the ground Of
imbecility. The Sheriff served the
proper summons. but they failed to re-
spond and Judge F. B. SPrague issued
attachments for them, but % de-
termined we're they NOT to obey that
tie officers had to force them into the
carriage.
The judicial inquiry lasted several
weeks, during which over 800 witnesses
we're examined BY Judge Sprague.
When questioned by the Cont as to
their peculiar mode Of living. they
answered that they had always lived
that way; and. as it suited them.
they could nat see way any one should
molest them. They said they disturb.
ed no one. and they did not intend to
be disturbed BY any one If they could
help it. Seven OF the leading physi.
clans Of Delaware examined and pro-
nounced them of sound mind and
competent to attend &c their own
Affairs. The result Of the trial We
that they were considered 90 By the
Court. and turned To their ten and
tobacco. and i. . few years will he
forgotten. Sarah Vaughn had not
been outside Of the yard within sixty
years, and had in oil that time never
seen the land which she owned. and
had never been in the town Of Della
ware. though it was only eight miles
away. Neither Of them he'd ever
seen q railroad or . steam-eugiue,
though for twenty odd vean n mil.