The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-09

II. A. Thiolan, the only specimen OF the
hermit Memphis has ever known, is dead,
When death put an end to his miserable
earthly existence, no one knows, nor will
any one ever know.
For day or two past people residing in
close proximity to tho old Overton Hotel
kitchen, on Center alley, between POPLAR
and Exchange streets, have been troubled
with nauseous odors Owing 10 the nu-
merous walls between them and the cause,
IL was impossible to detect the origin.
Furniture, carpets, wood and coal every
thing, in fact, that might hide decaylng
rat, cat. or other animal that might have
been cut down prematurely or otherwise,
were moved, and careful search prose-
cuted. Whatever WIS found in these
searches failed to abate the nuisance.
When the wind was favorable, or unia' or
able the staunch WIS appalling, and yes
terday bolt from the neighborhood was
seriously contemplated.
Patrolman Ed kehoe was importuncd to
take u hand in locating the nuisance late
last evening lie circled the block timc
or two, and on the last round his atten-
ton was iofcibly attracted 10 the rickcty
old three story brick building, northeast
corner Center and Courthouse alleys.
Procuring lantern the officer broke down
the door opening upon the last-named
alley. lie did not enter ut once. Tho
stencil drove him back lnlaling fresh
air to the fall extent vi his robust lung, he
applied his handkerchief to his noitrilS
aud got well into the rooin. BY some
means lac allowed the handkerchief to
slip, the odor overwhelmed him and he
vacated in u hurry. so did the supper lac
had but recently eaten.
Officer Kehoc summoned Justice Garvin
TO hold an inquest The Justice impancled
u jury and attempted TO perform IFS duty.
The proceedings were more than once in
terrupicd by suddenly required and en-
forced leave OF absence TO secure relief. a
meHgcr view OF the corpse was all that any
OF them required To look upon it, and even
this caused temporary but dclthly sick
ness. Tho body was not disturbed 10y the
Jury or any one else; il lay in such II posi-
ton that IL was only possible 10 determine
il human remains. One lee was thrown
across the rude cot on which the victim
had reclined in life, the head was behind
IL and turned toward the wall. and tho
form was In scm.nuic condition. 4
verdict Of death from old age and exposure
was returned, but this, ii was understood
nj the time, was subject TO revision should
closcr examination suggest It's adyiiI-
bility.
IL has been about two wears since tho
public has heard anything about the de-
ceased character hut Tor an accident
in which the old man made a miraculous
escape lac would not have figured con.
spicuously then. IL was Ia the fall OF
the old building near the northeast cor
ncr OF Main and jefferson streets. Pre-
yious 10 i,s tumble few people supposed Il
had any human occupants. Soon alter
the fall. however. lhieun slowly aud
with difficulty emerged from the debris.
lie sustained only u few scratches. For
three or four days hc haunted the ruins,
digging about Ia them, ~ was supposed,
for his earthly treasures buried beneath.
Among his effects were number al
chickens, which lac kept locked within
the building with himself, but thcs,
were killed by the wreck Whether heevr
recovered the other effects sought Is no
| known, hu! the police finally drove h'i
away. lie then went into the Old build
ing where he died, aud II hc ever cam,
out Il was when there were lCw around tC
see him. some yean ago lac kent an Old
guusmi,h shop on Washington street be-
tween Main aud Front, VA AN Old -hant,
that the authorities had torn dowh iron
over h head. lie had a cuzy idea tha
lac owned the property, as also portion
OF the lot corner Main aud Jefferson, am,
lac till the last cherished the dclufion thu
he had been worungiully deprived Il. III
/ LEFT one daughter. Who * married, aud Nh
belief j. common that handsome SUN vii
/ be found Tor her In his effects.