Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1879-09-27
GOING HOME TO DIE.
THE CELEBRATED LEHMAN HERMIT De
sERrs Ills CAVE IN PIKE COUNTY.

mans Ferry, Pa, in dark and gloomy
cave in the rocks, in the very heart OF
the wids OF Lehman township, Pike
county, lives Austin Sheldon, the cele-
brated Lehman hermit. Your CORE
spondeut recently visited the dismal
cave where the hermit abides, in order
to procure an account of Sheldons early
life and history of his life for the past
forty years in his underground abode.
He was not at home when We arrived
at the cave, and as there was no door
TO his residence we entered and survey
ed the premises. The cave is small and
damp, and lis contents are few blocks
of wood, which answer for the purpose
of chairs. and an old rocking-chair in
which Sheldon sleeps. (lIe aiterward
told us that he had not been in bed in
fortytwo years. lie does his cooking
over an old stone fireplace, and he never
uses a candle or lamp. He has no pets
or animals of any kind, except q large
tame raj, TO keep him company.
Hardly had we finished our exanina'
ton of his habtation when Sheldon
made his appearance. The old man is
now 73 years of age, and as deaf as
post. Those who visit him converse
with him by writing on slate which
he keeps for that purpose. SheIdons
personal appearance is startling lie Is
ABOUT FIVE feet in height and his nair
and beard are as white as snow. Ills
clothes are worn and patched aud he
wears a waisl-band made Of a hickory
withe TO support bis garments Fer his
defense against wild beasts he wears
long knife, as sharp as a razor which
he manufactured by grinding down an
old file. He is great student OF the
Bible and is evidently well read aud ed
ucated. He hates newspapers and re-
pofters ani he has not seen daily pa
Der in quarter OF century. From
him we learn that he was born at Brad
ford. Connecticut, in 1906, and that his
parents were wealthy farmers. Austin
was the household pet and when he ar
rived at the proper age he was sent
awav to school aud was given good,
practical education. Upon arriving at
''mans estate" he began the blacksmith
ing business, at which uade ac worked
for several years. lie saved money,and
in time acquired a small fortune. In tho
meantime he had fallen desperately in
love with a young and accomplished
lady Of his acquaintance, and, alter
brief courtsEip, they were engaged to
be married. Her parents inteltered and
broke of the match by secretly sending
her away TO a boarding school. This
so proved upon Austin's mind that he
gave up business and started out 10 ind
his "Juliet" lie travelled from State 10
State. but in vain, and finally, when his
money was nearly spent, he returned
again TO bis native home impaired both
in health and mind--a wreck of hl1
former self. lie sought work, but found
none so he left Connecticut and walked
TO New York. lie also failed TO bud
work in the great metropolis and was
on the verge OF committing suicide,
when he read that good houses could
be purchased at q great sacrifice in Pike
county. lie started on foot from New
York and walked the entire distance Ia
Milford, the county seat OF Pike county.
in four days. lie tell into the hands Of
some Wild land spectators who soon
fieecei Linn of what cash he had and
decided him the barren tract Of land
upon which he now lives. The aston
ishment OF Sheldon, when he saw the
"farm" that bad been decided him, may
be imagined. lie found nothing but u
vast forest, and as n storm came up ho
was obliged TO take refuge IN cave in
ledge of rocks. This cave be has ever
since inhabited. For nearly twenty
years Sheldon subsisted upon wild fruit
and nuts, and in the winter lie trapped
game aud fish. For thee long years
the hermit never saw human being.
Previous to beginning bis life as her
NIT Sheldon was quite proud OF his per-
sonal appearance, but he grew ncgli-
gent, and thick, shaggy beard covered
bis face aud his hair grew long-resch-
ing far down below his shoulders. From
the time he began bis hermit life, up 10
the present writing, he has never drawn
a razor across his face
OF late years Sheldon has become
very much ayerse 10 seeing people, and
il ne sees any one approaching bis cave
be will secrete himself until they 20
away. For the past two OF three years
he has been IN receipt OF letters fron
relatives who still live in Connecticut
(but who, until recently, we've unaware
of Austihs whereabouis), urging him
strongly 10 return 10 the home Of bis
boyhood. where he will be cared for
and well treated. For a long time the
old hermit turned deaf ear 10 all these
entreaties, saying that he preferred 10
die az he lived, unloyed aud uDcared
for. But as his lie Is drawing TO
close. he has concluded 10 accept the
generous offer Of his New England
friends, and he now says that, III tho
Lord be willing" he will soon desert
his lonely cave aud return TO die where
be was born.
Before closing our sketch Of the life
Of this celebrated personsge we mast
not fail TO mention lew of bis hair.
breadth escapes from death. The first
took place during the summer Of 1876.
The fores; fires were then devastating
Pike county. and the forest in which
Sheldon lived took fire. lis cave WAS
literally surrounded by flames, and ib.
hermit only escaped from beng roasted
ALIKE by blocking up tie eutraLce I bis
cave with stones and rernainirg a pris-
oner until the flames died out His