The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-04-03
A HERM1rs srRAaE LIFE.
Living in a Mountain Cave for Years
and Rescued in the Snowstorm.

Living in a Mountain Cave for Years
and Rescued in the Snowstorm.
From the NelU York Times.
NYAcK, March pa singular and sad
story was related here to-day by gentle
man from Suffern of a hermit named Al
ton, who, it seems, has lived in a rude
abode north of that place for long time.
The ridge of mountains which skirts the
northwestern part of Rockland possesses
all the primitive wildnesS of the days of the
early settlers, and in some portions of them
a civilized human being scarcely ever ven
tures. Here and there a family of a species
known as jackson whites" may be found
in a small shanty rudely built by their own
hands Alton (his first name is not KNOWN
came from Pennsylvania, it is said six or
seven years ago and sought the widest por-
tion Of western Rockland county for
home. OF his history comparatively
nothing is known. He had money, for he
bought and paid for everything which he
ate and otherwise used, and his capital all
seemed to be in gold. He settled in spot
under a wild cliff in the Ramapo Mount
aims, where he pried out some rocks suffi-
Gent to leave sort of cave. He then went
10 the nearest village and purchased some
heavy planks carrying them one at time
to the place where he wished to use them.
With these planks he built structure de-
cidedly original in design in front of his
cave, forming a dwelling which seemed
suited to his taste.
1t could easily be seen how Alton managed
to live comfortably in the summer, but his
method of existence in the cold season could
not be conjectured. Those who attempted
through curiosity to find out something
about the mans history were snubbed in
such a manner that they never approached
him a second time. There was one ex-
ception, however, to this rule. A young
man named Lewis, about II years of age,
seemed to have won his way into the her
mlt's good graces, for he used to spend
hours at time with him in his mountain
abode, and he said the hermit told him
some strange and sad stories about his early
life, but carefully avoided mentioning
names.
Since Christmas no one had seen the her.
NIT out, for the weather from that time on
was such as to prevent any one going within
three miles of his habitation. One day this
week-the narrator of the story thinks it
was Tuesday-three young men, having
curiosity to know how high snowbanks they
could find in the untraveled portion of the
mountains ventured out for a few hours
sport, and after blowing through huge
drifts for two or three hours came upon
the region in which Atoms home was sit
uated.
81 wonder how the old hermit is" sug-
gested one of the party, and a strong desire
to know at once came over all three of the
young men.
II would like to go and rap at his door,"
said another of the young men, "but l sup
pose the old fellow would be mad as March
hare"
After some elaboration it was decided to
make an investigation. 1t was soon learned
N nf ia hut
was unbroken. The three young men
plunged through the snow until they reached
the front of the hut, and then stopped to
listen. One of the party fancied he heard a
moan inside, and this supposition was soon
found to be correct. The sound was so pitt
full that one of the young men gave a hard
push on the strengthening door and it fell
in.
Inside the hut sad sight was witnessed.
Alton partly sat and partly lay on pile of
rags, apparently in great suffering. He was
startled at first when he saw the intruders,
but when he heard the sympathetic voice OF
the spokesman he gave a sort of smile,
which treasured the party. The strange
man, for the first time since he came to the
county talked as freely as his weak condition
would permit him to, and it was learned
that with the exception of a little dried
meat and some very stale bread be had not
eaten anything for week and a half. He
had used SHOW for water, but during the
day on which he was discovered he was too
weak to get even that. Had he not been
found he would certainly have persisted
The young men built fire and warmed
the place up to thaw the old man out. The
hermit, after he had been urgently pleaded
with, consented to remain in their care
for the time being, and, wrapping him up
carefully, they carried him to the nearest
house, about two and half miles distant,
where he has since remained in very weak
but slightly improved condition. 1t is be-
lieved that if he RECEIVERS he will give up
his hermitage and become civilized. No
one has yet been able to receive from his
lips the story of his strange life,