The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-06-18
THE YELLED HERMIT.
A REMARKABLE ReClUSE III THE
WOODED WILDS OF TEXAS.
Evidence Of Artistic Taste In His Sc
cluded Cavern Home on the Banks OF
Willow Creek-Interview with Man
Who Accepted His Hospitality.

Wilburger county, Tex, boasts of a
mystery in the form of hermit, living
near Willow Creek in a small cavern,
partly natural and partly excavated by
him, lined with skin and decorated with
drawings on the wall, which are said to be
the work of an artist of cultivated taste
and great talent. Very little is known of
the recluse beyond the fact THAI be is q
white man, an Englishmsn or American
by birth, and has lived in his cave for the
past fifteen years.
He always wears close fitting mask of
buekskin, which, falling to his breast,
completely hides his face, and dresses in
skins in the winter, while in summer he rs
clothed in loose garment said to be woven
of the prairie grass.
This strange being, by some regarded as
a myth, is only seen at long intervals, when
some traveller runs across him by accident,
when he will make no attempt to escape,
respond pleasantly, if briefly, TO any gues-
ton or greeting and quietly walk away
If followed or molested he first mildly pro-
tests, and then, if the attempt Is persisted
in, has been known 10 draw a weapon,
which has usually the effect of Kidding him
of his tormenter.
He carries small rifle, which, however,
he has never been seen 10 use, but snares all
his game after the manner of poachers, or
| fishes along the creek. On such fare as he
secures in this way and patch of ground
which he cultivates the rec1use Lives, for he
has never been known TO visit town, though
several attempts have been made TO induce
him TO abandon his solitary life His cav
ern. though known TO few, is never visit
ed, for it is believed that he wonld resent
any intrusion ia a very unpleasant man
ner.
A NAN WHO HAS sBES EEL
The only man who has ever entered the
cave is Colonel J. Nixon, who, on one Oc-
casion, was invited there by its mysterious
inhabitant. The story is: Il had driven
out from Harold 10 Loyd's ranch, when
was overtaken by one Of our sudden prairie
storms Ny ponies soon grew unmanaeea-
bic, and l got oct TO hold them by the bIt,
when a tremendous peal and q blindIBg
fash caused the little demons 10 break
away from me and 20 tearing across the
prairie. After relieving my ful heart by
a few words suitable for TIE occasion
trudged on, but soon found the read 50
heavy for my thin shoes that | abandoned
IL for one Of the cattle paths which seemed
10 run parallel with IL Nov, know the
road well, having Travelled il often. but whas
with the GarkeEing sky, the sheets OF rsiA
and the lightning, IL did 10: take me sons
10 lose my way. Ar some distance could
see the line Of tinber marking the course
of the creek, and made nay way 70 il. fcs-
lowing the stream for ulls or two.
All AZ once, as plnnzed on, beard a
voice hailing me, and looking closely about.
saw sitting 10 the mouth of a dugout or
cave in the side Of good SIZED biliock .
man with something over his face ! bah
iOoed in answer, when 'he stranger called
20 me 20 come u out Of tAe rain, 80
marched boldly MP 20 him / knew him in
a moment. Tor / bad often heard Of the
veiled hermit Of Willow creek, though up
20 the time scsuaGiy hehel3 him ] had
never believed II Eis existercs-