West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1891-07-30
THE YELLED HERMIT.
q Strange Being Who Resides in
q Texas Cavern.
IfIs woodland Cave, FILLED with Evidences
OF Artistic Skin. Accidentally Dis
covered by n Deiutod



mystery in the form of hermit. living
near Willow creek In a small cavern,
partly natural and partly excayated by
him, lined with skin and decorated with
drawings on the wall which are said 20
be the work OF an artist of cultivated
taste and great talent. Very little Is
known of the rccluse beyond the fact
that I've Is o white man, an Englishman
or American by birth, and has lived in
his cave for the past fifteen years He
always wears n close-fitting mask OF
buclsslsin, which, falling 20 his breast,
completely hides his face, and dresses
in skins in the winter, while in summer
he is clothed In n loose garment said 10
be woven OF tho prairie grass.
This strange being, says the Philadel-
phia Times, by some regarded as a
myth, Is only seen ut long intervals,
when some traveller runs across him by
accident, when he will make no attempt
TO escape, but respond pleasantly, IL
briefly, TO any question or greeting and
quietly walk away. IL followed or
molestcd he first mildly protests, and
then, IL the attempt Is persisted in, has
been known TO draw n weapon, which
has usually the effect OF Kidding him of
his tormcntor. IIc carries a small rife.
which, however, he has never been
seen to use, but snares all his gamo
after tho manner of poachers. or fishes
along the creek. On such fare as he Sc
cures in this way and patch of ground
which he cultivatcs tho recluse 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 cavern, though
known 60 "A few, Is never visited, for It
is believed that he would resent any in
trusion In a very unpleasant manner.
The only man who has ever entered
the cave is Col. j. Nixon, who, on ono
occasion was invited there by its mys-
terious inhabitant. His story Ia: 81
had driven out from Harold TO Lloyd's
ranch, when / was overtakcn by one of
our sudden prairie storms. My ponies
soon grow unmanageable, and | got
out TO hold them by the bit, when a
tremendous peal and binding flash
caused the little demons 90 break away
from me and no tearing across the prai-
rio. After relieving my full heart by
few words suitable for tho occasion
trudged ON, but soon found the road SO
heavy for my thin shoes that I aban-
doned It for one OF tho cattle paths
which seemed TO run parallel with 10.
"All ut once, as plunged on, heard
a voice .hailing me, and looking closely
about, saw sitting In the mouth of n
duSout or cave in the side OF good
sized hillock man with something
over his face. hallooed in answer,
when the stranger called TO me TO come
In out of the rain, SO marched boldly
up to him. knew him in q moment,
or had often heard of the yelled her
NIT of Willow creek, though up 20 tho
timo ] actually beheld him had never
believed in his existence.
He led mo into his cave and lighting
n fire of pine knots, piled up in rude
fireplace with funnel leading up into
the open air, revealed mo TO n scene
which FOR wildnessI never saw equallcd.
Snakes so well preserved as to appear
alive, II MI their ugly viciousness, hung
pendant from rafters that supported
the clsy-daubcd roof grinning heads OF
panthers, cetumounts, bears, tagriars
and every wild beast to be found for
hundreds of miles around added to the
weird grotesquencss of the place, while
their skins carpeted the cavern and
made the hermit's bed, which was all
the furniture the place afforded, except
d low stool before the fire.
The walls OF the cave were of CLAW,
evidently hardened by heat, and were
covered with drawings made by some
sharp instruments while the clay was
yet soft. am sufficient Judge Of art to
know that the hand which executed the
pictures was that of skilled artist and
they were fine indeed. They were, for
the most part. from the bible and reprc-
sentcd Peters denial of Christ, Judas
kissing His cheek, and the disciples
asleep in the garden of Gethsemane, but
l also remember ono or two scenes from
the Odyssey and HAD
''8ly host brought on some cold vent
son and plate OF beans, of which atc
thankfully after which he resumed his
scat in the door of the cave. ] tried 10
talk to him, but his monosyllabic re-
plies soon snenccd me. and when, pres
emily, the rain ceased, he said: You
must excuse me, but 1 am under a VOW
20 hold communication with no one.' /
rose at this hint, and prepared to 90.
had late newspaper in my pocket, and
rendered it TO him, but he thanked mc
and shook his head.
My one desire il 70 forget the world
and be forgotten by IT, Here he hesi-
tated q second and said: i would like.
however, to ask you ono question. Has
England But he checked himself and
groaned- No, no; better notl Sir, go
quickly. ] am wretch who expiates
deadly sin in solitude and pain
''Ilc ran 60 the back Of the cave and
filling on his knees groaued and sobbcd.
/ had some tobacco with INC and some
Other tribes, such as pOcketl,nife,
matches, quinine and Task Of brandy,
which [ placed on the floor and then
left have never seen him since,
for am sure the greatest kindness TO
him is 70 let him alone and have cx-
ertcd all nay influence that he shall re-
main unmolcsted."