The Florence tribune., 1897-06-26

eAA|S i1e5 tlt u kso JOSSCaSGl ol Sl pSIlaeNtdl power, and under the protection of the Great Spirit, and aware that he looked like crazy person, his only chance for life was to act like one, and he decided to try this ruse. He therefore ran his fingers through his long shaggy hair and beard, and hatless and coatless, holding his gun high above his head, sprang right into the midst of the saw ages with one of the most blood-eurd- ling yells that ever came from human throat. He fourished his arms, screamed and groaned, rolled his eyes in their sockets wildly, and danced the Indians own war dance, leaping several feet at every jump as if set on springs. The Indians were so frightened at this hide ous apparition, coming upon them so suddenly. that they leaped upon their horses and dashed off like so many Tam O'Shanters," convinced that Reavis was an evil spirit, and ever after gave him wide berth, nor could they be induced to go on top of the noun tain again under any circumstance. ! During the whole time that Reavis led his solitary life, it is said that he received no correspondence, although he occasionally bought or asked for the loan of a loan of newspaper, during his periodical visit to civilization. It is supposed that he never made a conf dante of any one. unless it was Aaron Mason, who was once the owner of the 1 Silver King mine. Much that has been ! reported as to his early history is, therefore, probably apocryphal; but some of the facts I have been able to gather seem to be reliable as far as they go.
 A gentleman, who claimed to know something of his career, informed me that he had formerly been practising physician in the East, and was well connected in St. Louis. From another source I learned that he had practised medicine at Fl Monte, California, and that he had daughter married to a wealthy citizen of Redlands, in the same State, a beautiful and accom- plished woman, who is social favorite there.
 It has been stated that Reavis never took bath or combed his hair after he settled in his mountain home, buta gentleman, to whom I repeated this, assured me the latter assertion was certainly incorrect. He said that once when he was visiting the hermit, the old man busted himself with dipping his fingers in an old tomato can filled with bacon grease, with which he annointed his hair and beard, after which he took coarse horn comb from his pocket and drew it through their tangled masses. This explodes the story that he never used a comb.
 This strange man was wonderfully interesting to myself and my son, who was my ompanion during my stay in Arizona. He was polite when spoken to, but seemed to be very shy of all womankind. We were, therefore, not invited to 'spend few days with him" in his mountain retreat, and his manner indicated that it would not be ques- tion of Hopen arms" if one should seek his hospitality uninvited.
 Reavis was a most expert marksman, and could clip a button from a mans coat at twenty paces, never missing.
 I have often wondered, as have many others, what grief or disappointment it was that drove this man of natural refinement and high culture to bid farewell to all earthly hope, and bury himself in so dangerous place. Dead to the world and it's sorrows, hopes, and ambitions, he lies down on his raw hide bed at night with his burdens for a pillow" dreaming, perhaps, of the time when life was 8 thing to be loved, while awake he no doubt longed i to be released from it's hateful grasp.