Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-24
LIVES LIKE A HERMIT.
An Eccentric Man, Over 101 Years
Old, Who is a West End Recluse.
HOME In THE REAR OF AN ALLEY
Mistaken Report That He Was Dying in Dire
Destitution.
CAREER OF A QUEER OLD SCOTCHMAN.

The West End was considerably excited,
yesterday, by report made to the Board OF
Health that James Stevenson, Of the Thirty
sixth ward, aged 101 years, was sick and in
destitute circumstances.
A visit was made by a reporter to the
house of Mr.. Stevenson, in the afternoon.
The house has TWO rooms and cellar, and
is situated at the rear of Violet alley, be-
tween Alexander street and Wabash ave-
nue. One room on the first floor is utilized
as parlor, library, kitchen and curiosity
shop. A little fire in a very large fireplace
was burning brightly, but the heat was in
sufficient to warm the room. The mantel-
piece was covered with queer articles OF
almost every description; pieces OF flint, old
gun-locks. few coon skins, bear claws,
heads of Indian arrows, tomahawks and
other relics. In the corner of the room, was
an old fint-lock, with coon skin cap rest
ing on the muzzle and pair of moccasins
resting at the stock.
There were two chairs in the room, on
one of which sat Mr.. Stevenson, who was
attempting to heat pot of water over the
little fire. When the reporter entered he
was given :. hearty shake of the hand bv
Mr.. Stevenson, who is known as "Old 49,
in the West End, but this appellation does
not do justice to his years, as he is now 1O1
| years old. He is tall, we'll built, has pure
white hair and beard, and although sick, he
moved about the room with an energy which
would be remarkable for a man of younger
years.
He said that he was born six miles from
the city OF Glasgow, Scotland, in 1889. On
May l, 1909. he landed at Philadelphia,
where he did laborer's work for short
time, and then came 10 Pittsburg and
settled on a piece of land in what was then
a wilderness, but is now known as Hatfield.
At the outbreak of the War of 1872 he
| joined the old volunteer company. tine
Duquesne Greys. and took an active part in
the war. At the close of it he went West,
or what is now Kentucky, and engaged in
| the Indian warfare for a number of years.
| Aiterward be returned to his cabin in what
is now Hatfield. and was shortly after
married Since then he has lived in various
parts of the country. He returned about
/ 80 years since. and lived part of the time
on Duquesne Heights, and finally located
on Violet alley, where he has led the life
almost of hermit, working only when
necessary to support life. His wife died in
1866, but two of his sons still survive, one
living at Sharpsburg, the other at Green's
burg.
Mr.. Stevenson declared he was not in
need. The upper room of his house is a
bedroom, and, although cold, is clean and
has a comfortable bed. Health Officer
Charles Havis. who investigated the report,
stated that he would not likely do anything
about the case: that the house was not un-
clean, and that DR.. Graham was attending
Stevenson, and that the latter still had
some money and was negotiating for the dis
tency.
DR.. Graham stated that Mr. Stevenson's
sickness was not of q serious nature.