Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-12-28
A HERMIT.
An Ex-GOYsrnmsnt EmplOys at
Washington
Who Has LiVeo Fifteen Years in the
hoods Alone.
A BscIoudsd History Which Unknown
Might a Tale Unfold.
SpsciaI 10 The SgndGu REGISTER.


STEUBENvILLE, December 26.-Fifteen
years ago a man, who announces his name
az Charles Bsrnell dates his advent to the
Swesrinzen hill, which ia about three
miles above this place on the opposite
side of the river in the county OF Brooke.
His appearance was unceremonlous and
unfortold. OF what country is Ire a pre-
duct is question as yet unanswered. His
history is unknown with the exception of
very small portions that he vetf2rcs TO dis
close. He is
ALONE.
The hillside on which he chose to make
his quiet home is steep and rugged, being
made after the pattern Of most OF the hills
in that mountain State. 1t is yet covered
with dense forest. Ths trees seem to
meet with more than usual success in
clingiug to the vigorous slope. -Four hun
dred and fifty feet it rises above the ma
estic Ohio. A section OF its, exposures
shows it to belong geologically to the Uo,
per Barrens A vein of an inferior sort OF
LIMESTONE
crops out one hundred feet above the bed
of the river. This, the lone occupant OF the
hill, alleges induced him to com mence this
solitary life. In those days it was used in
the manufacture OF iron in this place
Our hero here found sale for all the lime
stone he himself could quarry. A fiat
boat was tied to the shore Immediately be-
low the scene OF his work. There it
would remain for weeks and sometimes
months being idly rocked by the waves
while it was receiving its calciferous cargo
from the hands of single man. When
the water line had sufficiently advanced
on it's sides the company to which its con-
tents were sold would have it towed to
their furnace. On and on did this strange
man work alone aud without help.
Finally his product was supplanted by
other more valuable.
HIS OCCUPATION WAS GONE,
his solitude more complete. The love for
selfimposed ostracism had developed daily
until now it was king. He loved the roar
of the forest, the music aud chirp of the
wild and free birds. The pure air brought
with it contentment and pleasure for him
With scanty means and nothing to do he
fails to get the consent of his mind to
leave his isolated home.
His hu: stands about half way up the
hill on top of an overhanging sandstone.
1t is 6xl0 and five feet high. The walls
aud roof are of roughly split slabs. The
floor is only of half growth. The turni,
ture consists of a single old fashioned
straightforward chair, the former split
bottom having given place to an inferior
sort of board. His only assistant IN
lighting Jack Frost" is dllapidated old
cooking stove OF the revolutionary type.
HIS DAILY TASK.
During the last few years this man who
has won for himself the title OF Hermit
has gained his subsistence by attending to
two river lights, which are about two miles
apart, one above aud the other below his
camp This alone constitutes his daily
task One would naturally conclude thai
he was q man OF low intelligence, aud hls
sppearance would be a no litrle reminder
of the primitive man which scientists re!
us about. We almost question whether Il
could be Otherwise. Our natural expects
ion however in this case is at variance
with the truth. This peculiar mar
READS THE ptILY PAPERS.
He rows out in his irail sliff to the hrs
passing boat that has on board rhe morn
inc papers and returns eager TO lind GU
what ia doing in the outside world.
On converting With him one wilt con
Glide he ia a man Of rare intelligence.
HIS KNOWLEDGE
Of general history and the current topics
the day ia a decided source Of pride TO him
and well it may be. He impresses one
being man Of fhy-fve years
has rather attractive feature
and a commanding figure. His vel
shaped head placed on sqnsre shoulder
we'll thrown back is noted by every on
Who sees him. He will not be burdene
with intimate acquaintance, but thos
vbo know himbest say he has 8 histor
i and one too, that might "a tale UNFOLD
! but there is no hopes OF getting 1t tror
, him.
ONCE A GOVERNMENT ENPLoYE.
He says he was employed in one OF tn
departments at Washington for seVe
g Years before be came to this section.
!, is entertaining to hear him tell som
? interesting stories that he gathere
e while there. 1t is his e.
i pressed opinion that not one Congress
man in fifty who serves but 8 single ter
5 returns q pure man. This Of course Is
u Stunning that he was pure man betol
u he was elected. Especial caution 10 take
= to say nothing Of his life outside OF IN
seven years
!. Some conjecture he is the victim OF
= untrue lover. others that he has oecou
J; = respondent over some financial crash, 81
II again others attribute his strange actio1
!