Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-01-15
The Hermit's Story.
A Life which Began In Luxury and
Ended In Misery.

George Jacob Hoeffell, the cher
nit" who has lived for Ave yeas OF
more in o rude and primitive hut OIL
"wickiup" on the ocean beach south
of Golden Gate Park, and whose de.
composed remains were discovered
4 in his cabin on Christmas day, had q
history. His career, previous to the
period he left the haunts of man and
chose the life OF recluse was bright
or than usually falls to the lot Of hui
man beings. Born in Germany, OF
respectable and wealthy parentage,
his early life was surrounded by ev-
erything that loving hands could
give or unlimited wealth supply.
His education was derived from the
schools and seats Of learning in his
Fatherland, Graduating from the
University of Heldelburg with high
honors, he started forth on a journey
through foreign lands. After three
years spent in travel he returned to
his native land again on the eve OF
| the declaration of war between Ger
kmany and France. He offered his
services to his country, which were
accepted, and he served with distinc-
ton oil through and up to the close
If the war. He afterwards came to
America, landing in New Orleans.
where he was courted and admitted
uto the gay society Of that city.
There he met and married hand
some and intelligent young lady.
One child was the issue of the mar
riage. Being attacked with an az
yravated pulmonary affection, Hoef-
tells physicians gave him the choice
between lingering death or q sea
Foyage and prolonged stay in more
1almy and equable climate. Accom-
panied by his wife and child he took
passage on sailing vessel, and ar
(fived here after making the voyage
around the Horn. Deriving no ben
b6t from o short stay in this city, he
decided to make o trip to the Sand
| wich Islands. For some reason his
wife refused to accompany him, and
IIhis pleadings and efforts to have her
change her determination failing, he
left her and his child with some &C
iquaintances and sailed alone. In his
absence his wife, finding the confne-
ment of her apartments monotonous
land dreary, sought company and
increased the circle of her limited
acquaintanceship, which she was ena-
bled to do by reason of her beauty,
wealth and position. She was ad-
mitted to the society OF the upper
tendon, and in q brief time she
plunged wildly and madly into the
current of fashionable pleasure, and
soon became noted for her excuses.
The care of her child interfering
with her uninterrupted enjoyment,
she sent it back to her parents home
in the South. For awhile she wrote
regularly to her husband, who was
slowly improving and regaining his
health in the islands of the Pacific.
She finally ceased writing, and
it soon became matter Of common
remark that she was living in rather
questionable relationship with q rich
merchant of this city. Her acquain-
tances, in consequence, dropped off
one by one, until her presence was
tabooed aud she was refused admit
lance to the eompanionships of those
who had at first eagerly claimed her
society. Her career thereafter was
repetition of the old story. The mer-
chant sooned tired Of and discarded
her, and she then took up her resi-
dence in a fashionable Dumont street
bagnio.
Shortly after her husband returned
from the Sandwich Islands complete
Iy restored to health. He instituted
inquiries regarding his wife's where
sbouts among her acquaintance, but
where she was no one could say. He
vas informed that she had been un-
aithful to him and had left for the
Eastern States with her paramour.
lie followed after on what he thought
vas her track and travelled through
1