Ashtabula weekly telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1880-1886, 1880-07-02
A Hermit Who is Tired Of Single
Wretchedness.

AUSTIN SHELDON, who has occupied a
rocky cave in the forests of Lehman
Township, Pike County, Pa, seven
miles from this place, for more than
thirty years, says the Reading (Pa.)
Times, living without a companion OF
any kind, has become tired of leading a
single life, and recently became enam-
ored of girl yet in her teens, who re-
sides within few miles of the hermit's
abode. The hermit has frequently Wis
itedthe girls home, and the last time
he was there he asked her parents to
consent to their marriage. OF course
they refused, and ordered the old her
nit to make a hasty departure, and
never trouble them again. Sheldon
felt greatly injured, and has since been
looking in other directions with a view
to matrimOny.
Sheldon's life has been q sad and
checkered one. He was born in the vii
lage of Bradford, Conn.,, in 1906, and
consequently is seventy -four years old.
In his boyheod he learned the black
smiths trade, and arriving at mans
estate he mysteriously left his home,
came to Pike County, and purchased a
few acres Of wild, unoultivated, worth
less land. Upon this land was cave,
in which, with few alterations, the old
hermit has since made his abode. Dis
appointment in love is said to have
been the cause of his leaving his home.
His parents were well-to-do farmers,
and it was not until a paragraph ap.
peared in the Times few years ago that
they knew Of Austin's whereabouts. A
brother and sister came here and visited
their long lost brother, and after staying
with him in his cave over night, used
every indueemsnt to have him abandon
his lonely and rocky habitation and re-
turn with them to the home of his child
hood, where he would be well cared
for. He refused, stating that he
preferred to die, as he had lived, a
hermit. They left him some clothing
and money and returned home. Shell.
don has frequently received letters from
his family since then, eRtreating him to
abandon his wretched abode. A short
time ago he partially concluded to dc
so, but, becoming acquainted with the
young girl above referred to, he gave
up the idea altogether. Sheldon's dress
and appearance has of late years inn
proved, although he is wretched-look
ing object yet.
His cave is only about twelve by four,
teen feet, with slab roof. His furni
ture consists of four blocks of wood fol
chairs, box used as a table, a fire.
place, over which he does his cooking
and an old rickety rocking-chair II
which he sleeps. He has about an acre
of land cleared, on which he grows {
little corn and garden truck. What hi
grows and what is given him by his
neighbors keep him. He is as deaf az
an adder, has been so for years, and
persons who visit him occasionally, out
of curiosity, converse with him by
writing upon a slate, which the old her
init keeps for that purpose. He is in
telligent and reads a great deal. The
book he most loves is the Bible, which
he has read through many times, anC
most which he has committed to mem
ory. He has had many hair-breadth
escapes. A few years ago his cave wa
surrounded by the forest fires, and thu
old man came near being roasted alive
He once fell from the uppermosi
branches of huge chestnut tree, break.
ing several ribs and otherwise Gripping
him, and he has been frequently fount
in his cave in a freezing condition
That he will eventually be found deaC
| there is almost certain.