Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1890-04-22
A GENUINE HERMIT.

VI eighteen years, in Slaughter House
su'ch' about mile from town. He
nas mad small garden and few
ch'ckens, and managed to live on
scale commensurate with the re-
quirements of genuine hermit. and
aspired to nothing beyond that. In
early days he had placer claim for
winch ne was offered $4,000, but he
would not sell for that price. The
claim adjoining was worked and
proved to be of but little value, and
this made Frencb's ground unsala.
ble, except for very small amount.
lie finally agreed to turn it over to
miner, to work, French to receive
certain per cent. of the net pro-
ceeds. The claim was worked. but
tailed to pay even running expenses.
French became discouraged, dissolved
partnership with the energy he
formerly possessed, the social element
OF his nature vanished and he settled
down to the life of a recluse-excen-
trlc,. unsociable, untidy, and neither
extending nor asking favors or friend
ship. In short, his nature under
went complete transformation. His
only source of enjoyment for few
years was found in reading and
playing the violin. He finally ceased
to be reader, and for many years the
only companion to soothe his lonely
hours was the violin. Last Wednes-
day Thos. Crofton, Deputy Sheriff,
passed by his cabin, and catching a
glimpse of the hermit saw that he was
in the last stages of starvation. He
reported his condition to the officials.
Next day Sheriff Havlrd and one or
two others went over and found that
he was utterly destitute. His chick
ems were gone, and the supposition is
that he had eaten them during the
winter. He was destitute of provis-
ions or any means of livelihood,
and would have soon perished. He
accompanied the Sheriff unwilingly.
He said he was destitute, but would
rather remain there in that condition
than be brought to town. That is,
he would rather remain there and
perish, solitary and alone, than be-
come an object of charity. He was
examined for insanity, and while un-
doubtedly partially demented as a
result of the life he has lived, and
privations during the winter, he was
not pronounced insane. He was
taken to the Warm Springs, given a
good washing, rugged out with clean
suit of clothes, and last Sunday was
taken to the hospital. French is a
man Of good education, and was,
, before he became hermit, and for a
number of years after his nature un-
derwent such complete and sad
transformation, a great reader. Now
he does not know who are the off
cials of his county, and no doubt has
y not known for many years. He was
asked if he knew who was President
, of the United States. He replied
that he did not. If asked il he had
r ever heard of ex-President Grover
Cleveland, his answer without doubt
a would have been honestly given il
+ the negative. He has lost track o.
the wears. In fact, has lost track o.
t everything except his own existence
i, in his lonely hermitage. During
, these many years progress has beer
, making rapid strides in mechanical
! inventions, science and art, and hi'
, own country has been advancing a
a rate which, to one aroused from ;
Rip Van Wrinkle sleep, would reac
, like a fairy tale, yet to French thu
r United States has been at stand
! still these many, many years, and thu
i. grand achievements made are as
tale untold. When he would COM
to town with eggs to exchange TO
q the barest necessaries of life, he mad
the exchange with as few words a
possible, asked no questions, and, at
t ter transacting his little business, has
I tened back to his hermitage. Al
@ this may read like fiction, but 1t
said that fact is sometimes strange
than fiction, and in this case it il
). All we have stated is true, and ye
a all is not told-all that in the quee
}, history of this hermit's life is know
v to the people of this place and tha
a vould sound like wild romance. He
II a man who would never accept any
IS thing as gift, and paid for every
: thing he got. If he was man will