Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-03-27

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4 Richmond lKy.) special says: For
; tosep years = stsangc man, known ~
Hermit Smith, has made his home IN
~ eastern part Of this county. abont
twelve niles from here. From whence
bc came nobody knew. nor weuld any
enc have cared save for his Wild mode
~ living. lie was apparently about
f>r5y years cid when first noticed.
He had once possessed bright
Mind. With considerable knowledge
sf the world, but had been mem
tAlly wrecked. His appearance did not
indicate strong drink. and he was
neither idle ner lazy. Occasionally he
la6crsd on farms, but most generally
spent his time in hunting, and he hunt
q scr meat and not for fun. His lie
aid happiness seemed TO depend on his
hunting. He disliked hoase. In
summer grassy plot was his couch
snd the starry heavens his covering ;
in winter he dug hole in the ground
or constructed the mos; primitive
heuse OF sticks. He ate meat at
NEST exclusively, especially in win
Ter. and his bill Of fare cin-
ksaeed greater variety than that OF
a.y other human being--to wit, opos-
sans. coons. gromd-hogs. skunks, rab-
bits. squirrels. rats. turtles, terrapins,
esh. snakes. frogs, all kinds of birds,
aad enthusiastically hog or sheep.
IN the summer time he INDUCED in
kui,. berries, corn. and few other
things. lie was usually agreeable, and
talked a great deal at times. He often
talked Of how he lived when among the
Indians. and frequently spoke Of Lake
Minnetonka. the city of Minneapolis,
and the Missouri river, and such other
places and things as would indicate
= former residence in the North
west. His nautical expressions were
evidence of a familiarity with seamcn.
But no one ever succeeded in discover
ipx any facts in his case that would
throw light on his strange career. The
Isesl newspapers have time and again
written him up. and many have been the
letters sent 10 metropolitan journals
describing him and his exceedingly
primitive mode Of living. On last FRI
day. when the south-bound train on the
Kentucky Central railroad slowed up
nj the depot here. a stranger step
ped out and inquired for livery
stable. Upon being shown one.
he said Ais name was Daniel Smith,
from Washington county. Maine.
and he wished to be driven TO
the residence Of Mr.. A. W. llsle. in
she county. upon whose farm he eX-
pected to find lopg-lost brother. Mr..
Smith had happened upon newspaper
paragraph which induced him to make
tle journey. On Saturday morning IN
company with Mr.. llisle and "A photo
grapher. Mr.. Smith wendell his way
across the farm 10 secluded spot. where
"a. the smallest tick-hut in which, per-
baps. any man ever iycd--six feet
long, three wide. and three high, being
shaped like the letter 4. The pho
tcgraphcr adjusted his machine. Mr..
Hisle called the hermit from his
den, and the affecting scene of a joyous
yet sad meeting was instantaueously
photographed from life. The hermit
proved 10 be Captain Leroy Smith.
native OF Nova Scotia, who went to sea
when young man. grew TO be cap
tain Of a sailing-vessel. made seven
trips 10 Europe. sailed along the Mcdi-
ferranean. visited Jerusalem aud many
other famous places in the Old World.
His mind becoming deransed, he retired
with his family to Washington county.
Me-, which lies next to the New Bruins
wick line, and escaped from there twenty
years ago. since which time he has not
been seen or his whereabouts known.
His children are all grown, and they
and his wife. possessed Of suficicncy
Of this worlds goods, anxiously await
his return. The brothers came into
town last night and took the early tram
this morning. Despite the severe WIN
ter. the meagre supply of food, and the
frail, barren house, Captain Smith is
physically in fine condition.
s..