Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-11-18
..CROsBY THE HERMir.,
A Lonely Nobdeseripf With Rich
Relatives.

An Albany On. " SPECIAL says: For
over quarter OF a century George Crosby.
better known as "Crosby the hermit"
has made his home in weather-beaten,
gable-roefed house under the shadow OF
East. mountain, at Great Darlington, Mass.
The two.stofv building wears deserted
look. and is located in one Of the most
lonely spots in the vicinity. why Crosby
chose this place for babitation is only
known TO himself, although when in a
laxative mood he throws out hints about
disappointment in love affair.
He has wealthy relatives in st. Adams,
VT, and Jacksonville. Fla. who would
gladly make a home for him IL he would
but accept. In the sixties, when Crosby
made choice Of this uninviting plot OF
ground, ne at once proceeded TO build his
hermitage unassisted. Here be leads
lonely, yet contented, life, busying himself
by day in doing odd jobs, such as repair
ing rifles and shotgups for amateur sports
men, or sharpening scissors and knives for
the housewives of the town, who compen-
safe his labors with gifts of pies, OF which
he is very fond.
Far into the nights he works at gun
making, turning out rifles with his crude
machinery that vie with those bearing the
perhaps sixty years old and OF powerful
build. Occasionally he visits the village
attired IN pair OF corduroy trousers a
regular army blouse, and nondescript cap.
A ramrod serves as his cane. His large
eyes. constantly rolling as he talks, show
that. in spite OF his mechanical genius,
some balanee.wheel g has slipped cog"
For ten wears before the Humphreys
bridge was built Crosby ferried passengers
over the river in a boat OF his own build
ing.
Crossing at his ferry. like salvation, was
free but the construction OF the bridge put
an end 10 this business. The old gun
smith has sold but few of his guns, a. he
values the bulk OF them too highly to part
with. Though they possess but little orna-
mentation, his rifles are appreciated by the
true sportsman. Lock, stock and barrel are
all OF his own make. Long before twist
borts were brought TO perfection at SPRING
field and elsewhere, Crosby had fathomcd
the secret OF making them by hand. lie
declares that the Government officials have
often sought bin out to gain possession OF
his secret, but neither money, for which he
has q most profound contempt, nor fame
can tempt him.
"Old Smoke" and his "Baby" rifles are
his flyorte guns. The former is large and
cumhrOus, the latter small enough for
Iady's use The front" door OF the her.
mitage is the rear. A loud knock by re.
cent visitor brought The hermit to an upper
window. In his hands was q spy-glass,
through which he covers the approach OF
strangers.
After a short parley he redppeared at the
door and gTufly welcomed his guest.
once inside the door was firmly fastened
by solid oaSen bar. Visitor and host
passed up a steep light Of stairs and
through Il trap door into the workshop.
Crosby Immediately closed and locked tue
trap with an ar which hardly tended to
make the visitor feel at home. Crosby's
kindly look reassured the scribe.
In response TO a question be said Z" Yes,
{ own this land. The Spiritualists and
Freemasons tried TO get ii away from me.
but | beat 'Cm. l cleaned up and built
path by the mountain to Prospect rock for
little girls"
"Ilere, don't set down there" as the
visitor approached an old-iashioned chair.
"That chair belonged to Jonathan Edwards
once, and Pm pretty particular who sets
in it," The hermit SAID that he never
feared being molested In his lonely retreat,
and boosted Of the number OF visitors who
had paid him call on various occasions.
Look at those" and he pointed TO the
wall, which was literally covered with
visiting.cards, many OF them bearing
names well known in social and profess
sional circles. General Mcclellan was
here short while before he died. The
hermit said she came TO see Old Smoke"
"Pm a universal genus, you know"
Crosby added modestly, "and some Of
those rich fellows want TO buy my guns. |
won't sell 'em though"
"What do you keep that trap.door
locked fory" was the next question,
"'Cause i want to-" was the rather un-
satisfactory answer. 81 can unlock it for
you, though" and he suited the action TO
the word and held 1t invtingly open. The
visitor tripped down the stairs and was
soon ploughing his way through the mud
towards the town, musing in the mean time
on the strange character be had encounter
ed.