The Coconino sun., 1891-06-27
A MYSTERIOUS HERMIT.
A VISIT TO THE CAVERN HOME
OF a RECLUSEI
Evidence of Great Artistic Talent
Dressed In Skins and Wearing
Mask--He Is Seldom Seen
and Never Talks.

Wilburger county, Texas boasts OF
a mystery in the form Of hermit liv-
ing near Willow creek in a small cav
crn, says the Philadelphia Times,
partly natural and partly eXcavated by
him, lined with skin and decorated
with drawings on the wall which are
said to be tho work OF an artist Of
cultivated taste and great talent. Very
little is known OF the recluse beyond
the fact that he is white riaa On
Englishman or American by birth, and
has lived in his cave for the past
fifteen years. He always wears % close
fitting mask of buckshin, which, fall
ing to his breast completely hides his
face, and dresses in skins in the winter,
while In summer he is clothed Ia a
loose garment said to be woven OF the
prairie grass.
This strange being by some regard
ed 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, but respond
pleasantly, If briefly to any question or
greeting and quietly walk away. II
followed or molested he first mildly
protests, and then, II the attempt is
persisted In, has been known to draw
n weapon. which has usually the effect
of Kidding him of his tormentor. He
carries a small rifle, which, however,
he has never been seen to Use, but
snare3 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 cult
Yates the 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 to few, is
never visited, for it is believed that he
would resent any intrusion in a very
unpleasant manner.
The only man who has ever entered
the cave is Col. j. Nixon, who, on one
occasion, was invited there by its mys-
FERROUS inhabitant. His story is: II
had driven out from Harold TO Lloyd's
ranch, when | was overtaken by one
of our sudden prairie storms. My
ponies soon grew unmanageable. and
got out to hold them by the bit when
a tremendous peal and binding fash
caused the little demons to break away
from me and go tearing across the
prairie. After relieving my full heart
by few words suitable for the occa-
sion | trudged on, but soon found the
road 50 heavy for nv thin shoes that |
abandoned il for one Of the cattle paths
which seemed TO run parallel with IL.
Now. ! know the road well, have trav-
elled ii often, but with what the dark
ening sky, the sheets of rain and the
1t did not take me long to
lose my way. At some distance could
see tho limo OF hiug tDe
course of the creek and made my way
TO IT, following the stream for a milo
or two.
'All at once, as / plunged in, /
heard voice hailing me, and looking
closely about saw sitting in the mouth
of dugout or cave in the side OF
good-sized hillock man with some
thing 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 n moment for | had often
heard of the yelled hermit OF Willow
Creek, though up to the time actually
beheld him had never believed in his
existence.
He led me into his cave and light
ing a fire of pine knots, piled up in a
rude fireplace with funnel leading up
into the open air, revealed to me
scene which for wildness | never saw
equaled. Snakes so well preserved as
to appear alive, in all their ugly vic
iousness, hung pendant from rafters
that supported the clay-daubed roof;
grinning heads of panthers, cata-
mounts, bears, juguars, and every
wild beast to be found for hundreds of
miles around added to the weird gro
tesqueness Of the place, while their
skins carpeted the cavern and made
the hermit's bed, which was all the
furniture the place afforded, except a
low stool before the fire.
The walls of the cave were Of clay,
evidently hardened by heat, and were
covered with drawings made by some
sharp instrument while the clay was
yet soft. am sufficient judge of art
to know that the hand which executed
the pictures was that Of a skilled artist
and they were fine indeed. They were,
for the most part, from the Bible and
represented Peters denial of Christ,
Judas kissing His cheek, and the dis
ciples asleep in the garden Of Gethse-
name, but / also remember one or two
scenes from the Odyssey and Illiad.
my host brought out some cold
venison and q plate Of beans, of which
ate thankfully, after which he re-
sumed his seat in the door OF the cave.
J tried to talk to him, but his mono
syllable replies soon silenced me, and
when, presently. the rain ceased, he
said: You must excuse me, but | am
under vow TO hold communication
with no one.' / rose at this hint, and
prepared to go. ! had late news
paper in my pocket, and rendered it to
him, but he thanked me and shook his
head.
. My one desire is to forget the
world and be forgotten by it. Here
he hesitated second and said: 4
would like, however, to ask you one
question. Has England But he
checked himself and groaned. No,
no; better not! Sir, go quickly. / am
q wretch who expiates deadly sin in
solitude and pain.
"He ran to the back Of the cave and