The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1883-03-17
DEATH OF LOUISIANA HERMIT.
81 reveport Standard, 9th.

Isl reveport Standard, 9th.
Our citizens will remember the odd
character who for many years has sold
herbs and roots in our city, and whose
near what is known as Three Forks or
"Boarman" chute.just we, OF the city,
a short distance beyond .ne Charity
hospital. He was a dark complexion
ed man, and always wore a hat of his
own manufacture, made of hickory
splits and resembling basket. When
he came to town to dispose of his
herbs and roots, which he always
brought in a small basket, he had lit
tie tc say to any one, and his secluded
way of living has always been mys-
terry to every one who came in contact
with him. Yesterday morning col
ored cattle drover, named Ewell Har-
per, came to town and reported to
Chief of Police Austin that he had
found the old hermit lying dead near
his habitation and the chief at once no.
titled DR.. Wm. Turner, coroner, who
went to the place and found his body
near branch.
After a thorough investigation the
doctor arrived at the conclusion that
he had become sick III his secluded
home, and having no one to wait up
on him, attempted to go to the spring
himself for water, and fell from eX-
haustion and died where he was found
which was about a quarter of a mile
from his hut. He had on no shoes Or
hat, and in either hand there was Il
tin oyster can, which he carried no
doubt to get water. On searching, the
amount Of 81 was found on his person.
DR.. Turner had the body buried near
where it was found.
From Chief Austin, who visited the
place, we learned that he was known
as Uncle Austin and "Indian George.'
On an examination of his cave, and a
hut he had recently built on hill be-
yond, there was not a particle of bed
clothing of any character, only few
old coats, pants, ETC., streWn upon the
rude floor. In this hut he found a
piece of smoked meat, a small amount
Of flour, some old tin cans, etc.
From other parties we learned he has
lived in this secluded way some twelve
or fifteen years, but we could find no
one who knew where he came from or
for what reason he chose this mode of
life. He was always very retcent,an
disIillcd for any one to come near his
hut or cave, but oftentimes hunters
and fishermen would intrudc upon his
privacy for curiosity's sake, but no.
thing could be learned from him.
Many thought his mind was added, as
he would always give evasivc answers
to questions put to him. On one or
two occasions this writer attempted to
interview him, with a view to learn
ing something Of his history, but he
We were at loss to know what he was
trying to get through him. He was
harmless, and perhaps had troubles in
life which led to his seclusive way Of
living. If so, as far as we know, they
are buried with him in his unfortunate
death, and the little children who were
so used to running when they saw the
"Old Hermit as he was known, COM
ing, will have no occasion to run any
more. The poor old fellow has gone,
and perhaps carried with him u his
tory of misery and sorrow known only
to himself.
Since writing tho above we learn
from Chief Austin that no arms of any
kind were found about the premises of
deceased. There was an old axe with
handle about six feet long, an old
hoe made of one-eighth inch sheet iron
with hole in middle through which
the handle was passed and fastened
with wire, so that it could be used both
ways, and two antiquated looking
hammers From the hnt and oil tho
surroundings it appeared that deceased
must have been of Indian descent.
This is a question being discussed by
those who have known him for years
and have heard of his death. More of
his history may possibly come out
hereafter. The great mystery is, how
he lived through our recent cold spell
without particle of bed clothing and
sleeping on simple pieces Of plank laid
upon the ground in rude hut such as
was found.
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