Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1881-02-10
LYING IN THE GROUND.
A Hermit Uuear,hcd-Foumd DEATH
tuto and Freezing To Death.


New YORK, Jan. g. "A strange character
"a veritable hermit--was found Yesterday
afternoon by the Kingsbridge police lying
In hole In the ground, his habi;stion, fast
succumbing 90 the cold blasts that swept
throu9h that region. The hermit's name
Is oucra Conrad Bannau, Frenchmnn,
nearly 30 yesys of age aud of remarkable
appearance. His hair and beard, unkempt
for years, stood out stiff and matted
together in folds.
de ls short in stature, stout In build, but
almost helpless in consequence of many
privatious and hsrd4bips which have left
his once splendid constitution mere
wreck. He speaks English but imperfectly,
aud the history Of his strange life will
probably remain mystery, for he refuses
to give any account of himself. Hi
features Indicate more than ordinary intel.
ligence.
For the past year the residents Of
Inwood, Spuyten Doyyil. RiVeidale and
hingsbridge have nnticed AID talked about
this remarkable character, who often
Visited the houses in this Vicinity nuo
begged from the occupants. Some of
them, sympaLhizing with his iorlorn
appearance, readily contributed any sur.
plus vletuals while Others drew back in
alright and closed their doors. From
door to door he tramped daily, carrying
with hIma small leather bag into which he
emptied whatever the people We're kind
enough to offer him. When night fell,
weary from the long tramp he would turn
homeward to his habitation.
GA the west side of the Port Morris
railroad, and about q quarter of mile
south OF farmers Bridge, tire country ia
pretty we'll wooded, and 1t is here in this
spot that the hermit made his home.
Selecting part where the ground rose
little he dug down through the earth the
distance of about four feet and about six
feet in length. He placed boards on the
bottom OF this space and also on the sides,
after which he secured barrel and filed
1t with leaves. He then placed the barrel
at the foot of his improvisod hut, for the
purpose Of keeping his feet and legs warm
and then spread leaves over the boards
that answered the purposes of bed.
On either side of him, scattered about,
were tin cans of all descriptions, which
he had used for cooking purposes, and the
burning embers of d recent fire could be
Seen short distance from his abode. He
hAd also boarded over the top of this habi-
tation, and the roof was covered with
nearly foot Of snow when he was dis
covered by the police. Like some animal
ms would crouch in this cramped up quar-
ter aud remain until his limbs grew stiff,
when nature would compel him to crawl
out and stretch himself. At times he was
known to disappear and remain away for
weeks, no one knew where, when he
would sgain appear and make his regular
rounds.
Ii appears that he had been on one of
his mysterious journeys recently and
returned, but this time in a dilapidated
condition. His feet and hands were
frozen and his body much emaciated
How long he lay in this condition could
not be ascertaiaed, but life was fast ebbiug
away when succor arrived in the person OF
Captain Yule, of the Kingsbridge police.
The Captain summoned his reserve force
and together they carried the man to the
police station, where an ambulance was
telegraphed and the hermit was conveyed
to the Ninety ninth Street Hospital.