Daily camera., 1897-12-24
A STRANGE VOW.
The Singular Oath Of a Kentucky
Man.
For Thirty Years He Has Not Pat Hi,
Foot on Earth-CIaincd the Lord
Had Deut Hnrshly
with Him.

Living ten miles from Bardstown is
one of the most singular characters in
Kentucky. New in his seventy-fifth
year, he has not touched his foot to the
earth for over 80 years. Living in, q COM
Portable residence, surrounded by many
acres CT the best land in Nelson coun-
ty, he is spending his declining years
in solitude.
Basil Hayden, referred to above, is
one of the wealthiest farmers in dis
trict composed Of 12 counties, and is de-
scended from a family well known in the
pioneer annals of the state. Many OF
them have also been distinguished in
the different lines Of life. One of his
brothers,, Raymond II. Hayden, for
years held a controlling interest in one
of the most famous distilleries in the
United States. He, too, had peculiar
ideas, ard lived bachelor all his life,
and at last died at an advanced age
under singular circumstances.
He was found dead in his orchard a
number of years ago. a bottle that had
contained poison lying by his side. 1t
was generally thought that he had COM
mitted suicide, but there were some
who held the opinion that he had met
with foul play, and the poison bottle
was placed near him for blind.
BasilHayden,o or The Hermit" as he is
known throughout the section in which
he lives, in his youth was g, social leader,
and very popular with a large circle of
entered the confederate army and
made a good soldier to the end. When
he returned homo he found his slaves
free and his property greatly damaged.
The emancipation CT his negroes
affected him seriously, and he hrooded
over it constantly. He became sullen
and morose, declining all Overtures at
friendIiness on the part of his neigh
bors lie declared that the Lord had
dealt harshly and unjustly with him in
depriving him Of his slaves, and out Of
revenge he registered a terrible oath
that he would never again put his foot
to the Lords ground, and so far he has
kept his VOW.
Never since its registration has he
appeared without his door, nor viii he
have converse with anyone save one
or two, who are immediately connected
with him, and then his words are Of the
briefest possible character. His landed
interests are extensive, and under the
management of a competent overseer
Weld him a handsome indoor retreat.
overseer makes his reports to the queer
old man in his darkened indoor retreat,
who gives his orders and directions as
tersely as possible. he has never
spoken to a woman many manner since
his self-imposed exile, nor viii he allow
one to be employed upon his place.
How he spends his ti1se, within his
darkencd room no one knows. but it is
said that one employment is the count
ing of money, Of which he is said to
have vast amount in gold and silver.
Be this as it may, Bardstown banker
twice a year visits Mr.. Hayden, and
through him the recluse settles his
financial matters with the outside
world.
Mr.. Hayden is described as q fine
looking man, with a full beard ard flow
ing hair. His confinement has Dieached
him until he is as white as an infant,
and his hands are as soft as raw cotton.
He had a sale of mules at his farm re-
Gently, and number of animals were
solt at fancy prices. A large number
of people We're present at the sale,
among them the Enquirer correspond
ent, but never a glance was caught of
Mr.. Hayden. His instructions to the
auctioneer were sent out by the over
seer written in grabbed hand, and
were very direct.-Cincinnati Enquirer.