The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1885-08-01
A HERMIT's ELoPEmENT.
How He Raised Family Removed
from Civilization.


story comes from the mountain
regions OF Western Maryland to the
effect that about twenty years ago
Thomas Murphy, aged 20 years, son
of former well known citizen
OF Carroll county, eloped with Ellen
Garnett, the IL old old daughter of
local preacher Of the same county.
No tldings were ever hard of the
elopers until a few days ago, when
they were discovered by two gunners
named Henningham and Phelps, re-
siding In hut in an isolated portion
OF the Blue Ridge mountains in Fred
erick county. The young men, while
hunting game, were startled by see-
ing young and pretty girl, clad in
rough garments, flee from their sight
like a Wild animal. Thdy followed
her up and soon came upon a rough
hut almost concealed from view by
underbrash. A brawny man, with
long flowing whiskers stood at the
entrance OF the hut with gun in hand
and demanded of the intruders what
they wanted. The fact that they were
hunting game in the mountains, and
aceidently happened upon the scene
was made known, and after much
difficulty the story of the hermit and
his family was obtained from the
man who was none other than Muir
ply.
After the elopement, he said, lie
endeavored TO get work but was un
successful, and then resolved TO kill
ltt. Fsa 4,
ject in view, Murphy persuaded the
girl Ellen to accompany him to the
mountains, where he intended TO kill
her, and then blow out his own
brains, butnpo reaching the scene OF
the proposed tragedy hi- heart failed
hun and he could not summon cour-
age TO commit the deed. He and the
young giri remained in the noun
lains until after dark, and finding il
impossible TO reach the village that
night they remained. The next day
heavy rain storm set in, and tenn
porary shelter was arranged of leaves
aud branches. After passing several
days IN lhis manner, the girl was
taken Ill from exposure and came
near dying. Murphy killed game
aud the two subsisted upon berries
and birds for months. AT length the
girl gave birth TO a female child. and
without an attendant except Murphy.
The next day Murphy went to the
village To purchase "A few articles aud
since that lime he declares most pos
sItisely that he nor his family, which
now consists of two children, aged 10
and 10 years have ever seen human
being until they saw Henningham
aud Phelps. -Four years ago baby
boy Was born. \ few months later
il died and was buried. About two
years later Ellen, the wife, was in
jured ny a falling tree, aud died after
Suffering Intensely two weeks with
ont medical aid of any kind. Muir
ply says he dug a grave and buried
her beside the child. Henningham
aud Phelps say they saw the graves
OF both. They also state that the
young daugh Ell OF Murphy is beau
tiful girl, bat piteonsly ignorant. She
does not know of such a thing as AN
alphabet, and has never been named.
Since her birth she has only been
called "Daughter." They boy was
IL years Oil, and is equally illIterate.
He is called "Son." The hut in
which they have lived so long Is
made of the branches OF trees COW
cred with mud. Murphy says he has
no desire to live among civilized peo-
Pile, and that he Is content with his
lot. 1t is probable some action will
be taken by the friedrich County au
thorites TO care for the young girl aud
her brother.