The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-01-30
FARMER JOHN SELLERS.
An Eccentric Chioan of Whom Many
Oueer Tales Are Told.

An Eccentric Chilean OF Whom Many
Queer Tales Are Told.
Neuo Philadelphia CO.. Letter to Chicago Times.
The body of John Sellers, the eccentric
old bachelor who lately died on his farm,
near here, still lies in our city vault, and is
closely guarded night and day. Sellers
eCcentricities were known far and wide, and
about one year ago he figured conspicuously
in the illustrated papers. He was u very
close Bible student, and when "A young man
conceived the idea that no woman ever
went to heaven. His reasons for remaining
single were that he believed that if lie
married he would be cursed with tho
woman of his choice. Regarding
his personal appearance, one was
greatly reminded of ''Od Rip" or the pic
lures we see of "Old Father Time" He
never shaved nor cut his hair, c aiming it
would be interfering with Gods laws for
him to do sos His finger-nails were long
and bent over at the ends like claws, as also
were his tOe-nais. Everything he used or
wore was homemade. His first plow is
great curiosity, and was made entirely of
wood, something after the fashion Of the old
German plow All his farming utensils
were homemade. He would patronze no
one who used a sewing machine At the
table the knives and forks were wooden, as
were also the plates, cups and saucers.
Sellers had flock of sheep that had never
been shorn. The wool was 16 inches long,
and dragged the ground. The reasons he
gave for not shearing his sheep were
that God placed the wool on their backs
to stay there and keep them warm, and he
wouldn not interfere with his plans by remov-
ing it. 4 short time before his death the
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals of this city took the matter in
hand and tried to compel him to shear bis
sheep, but without success. People came
for miles around to see Sellers sheep. He
was known to have been in good cuCum-
stances, and for years during his life depos-
tied his money in one of our banks. During
the latter years he became suspicious Of
banks, and withdrew all his money, which
was principally in gold. He purchased a
dozen old-tashioned jars, or crooks, with
lids on, and, taking them home, hid his
treasures away in these. His sister states
that he buried his treasures always under
cover of darkness, selecting different spots
about his farm. The secret Of the exact 10
cation of these spots he never revealed
to anyone. How much wealth he had
accumulated will probably never be known
as he trusted no one. His sister will fall
heir to his estate, and every precaution is
taken to protect the place against midnight
treasure-hunters. The six men who were
detected a few nights ago digging for the
hidden treasure are supposed TO have been
residents Of the neighborhoOd. 1t was no.
ticed that they were supplied with dark
lanterns, and first commenced digging in
the barnyard. From there they adjourned
to a neighboring field and began operations.
Rumor has it that they made an important
discovery in the field, and perhaps found
one of the precious crooks. 1t has not yet
been fully developed as TO how much, it
any, of the money they obtained. The
4 L II
the direction Of the sister, and every effort
will be made to unearth the hidden treasure.