Fergus County argus., 1898-01-19
A STRANGE VOW.
The Singular Oath OF q kentucky
Man.
For Thirty Years He Has Not Put His
Foot on Earth-Claimed the Lord
Had Dealt Harshly
with Him.

Living ten miles from Bardstown is
one of the most singular characters In
Kentucky. Now in his seventy-fifth
wear, he has not touched his foot to the
earth for over 80 years. Living in a COM
Portable residence, surrounded by many
acres of 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 IL counties, and is de-
scended from 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 controlling interest in one
of the most famous distilleries in the
United States. He, too, had peculiar
ideas, and lived a 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. bottle that had
contained poison lying by his side. II
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 a blind
asilHayden, or THE Hermit" as he is
known throughout the section in which
he lives. in his youth was social leader,
and very popular with large circle of
friends When the war broke out he
entered the confederate army and
made a good soldier to the end. When
he returned home he found his slaves
free and his property greatly damaged.
The emancipation of his negroes
affected him seriously, and he brooded
over it constantly. He became sullen
and morose, declining all overtures at
friendliness on the part of his neigh
bors. He 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 will 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
yield 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 in any manner since
his self-imposed exile, nor will he allow
one to be employed upon his place.
How he spends his time within his
darkened room no one knows, but it is
said that one employment is the count.
ing of money, of which he is said to
have a vast amount in gold and silver
Be this as it may, a 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 a fine.
looking man, with full beard and flow.
ing hair. His confinement has bleached
him until he is as white as an infant
and his hands are as soft as raw cotton
He had sale of mules at his farm re
Gently, and a number of animals were
solt at fancy prices. A large number
of people were 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 ydirect.-Cincinnati Enquirer