Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1891-10-31
A LONELY HERMIT HE.
DICK 6AssETr is PRESIDENT
OF A LITTLE REPUBLIC.
The Island In Lake Michigan That
rs Not Controlled by ANY state or
Federal Authority -Rassett owns IL
by Squatters' Right,

Much has been said and written of
the Lake Michigan Island which has
been overlooked by the surveyors for
the present map of the United States,
but little is known of Dick RasSett, its
ruler. He is the only human iuhabi-
tant of the island. Wolves, bears and
other wild animals abound in winter
though, and strange To say, Bassett
refrains from Strengthening these; and
they refrain from feasting upon his
carcass, so Dick and all sorts Of ami
mails live in peace. When other food
| is scarce the wild wolves and bears Of
| ten come to the hermlt's cabin and
/ in their own way ask for food, Such
] is the story that BasSett tells, and in
such a serious manner that the truth
of the assertion is given considerable
weight.
Until recently Bassett never left the
! island more than once year On those
occasions he would seldom enter u ct
/ tied region. Not long ago though he
\ surprised people by taking train at
Traverse City and going to Grand
/ Ra ids, where he visited for several
/ days.
Dick Bassett is about 80 years old,
wears full beard tinged with gray, is
romance somewhere in hls career, but no
one knows just where the romance
comes in and the particulars of il are 4
profound secret. He win talk freely on
any subject that may be broughtup;but
when the conversation turns to his
personal history, he shuts up like a
clam, a pensive look comes into his
eyes and unless a fresh topic is intro
duced he soon quickly retires from the
circle. He arrived in Traverse City
about fourteen years ago and lived in a
deserted fishing cabin on the beach, far
from the abode of men. lie oc
casionally came to town, but only "a
buy supplies or 10 sell the fish
he caught and never lounged around
the bar-rooms or corner groceries,
He built himself boat and most OF his
days were spent on the waters OF the
bay with fish line in hand He was q
mystery then and is almost as much OF
mystery to-day, although through
casual remarks and occasional obser
yations he has dropped within tn,
hearing of friends some inkling OF hi:
career has become known.
Bassett remained year in his fishing
, cabin on the beach and then he took pos
session of a little island eight mile.
l olI III NiAE bttN rum tAAA9 tAh.y AAAA w
tween Marion ISLAM and the mainland
50 near to either that but stnn,
throw of water separated him from
them. The island comprises but
single acre OF land, and when he tool
possession was covered with a heavy
growth of virgin forest, appearing
from distance like little tut
Of green rising out OF the water
He cleared the land without as
sistance leaving row of larg
trees as border to- his plantation
He erected u cottage OF boards, whicl
he hewed out Of the trees he choppe
down, and to this day he has live
alone on the island, quietly and to al
appearances happy and contentcd. II
planted fruit trees and vines, and tn
land produces more than enough vegC
tables and fruit TO supply his simpl
wants. In the summer he fishes IN tn
bay, both with line and net, and real
ICES substantial income from the sal
Of the fish IN the city and at tn
summer resort near by. He is sal
TO have accumulated ; competency