The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-03-07
AcLERlcAL GAME WARDEN.
Known ms the Henry ID. Thoreau of
Michigan.

(Michi gan Letter in Chicago Inter Ocean. J
Calhoun county, Michigan, boasts OF
the only clergyman game warden in
America Rev. Isaac Collier, who is
known throughout the state as the Henry
ID. Thoreau OF Michigan, as he has for
many years lived alone with his dogs In
cottags on the shore of Goguac lake.
ing his time in fishing and hunting and
In the study of books and nature.
A passionate regard for nature has led
this unique clergyman ID live among the
flowers and trees, the birds and animals
O. the woods. Years of botanical training
make 1t possible for him to understand
the flowers which he plaoss b, ''tlie road
side or In the fields or forests. Never does
a day pass that the venerable character,
with his Gshpole. may not be seen wind
ing his ways to the waters edge for his
customary fish. His expert knowledge
Of angling makes him known among the
fishermen as "Our Izaak Walton" and
he lives out his title. Not only does he
fish, but he studies his prey. He knows
tD6 Eeii anu tnrAI iIdbits, anu 10 ob hoihc
among them.
strange place IS his cottage, un-
lathed, upholstered, but the home of
contented man. He subsists entirely upon
the results of his hunting and fishing.
He not only sells his fish for the few gro
ceries and supplies which he requires, but
he is ford of them MS regular diet. lie
Is his own cook. His tea he makes from
the wild plant blossom known as the Jef-
sey tea, and the only coffee which he
uses is made from the hickory nuts which
he gathers. Above all, he is hale. hearty
and healthy. although dS years Of his life
have passed. But he says, II live close
TO nature, and so do live, not exist. ~
Greek, Latin. Hebrew, Chaldaic, Syri-
&C, French and modern languages are
read by the quaint character, and no mat
ter how busy day he has spent among
his fish friends he closes 1t ty reading u
chapter in his Greek teatament. Apart
from the world, he never neglects his re
ligioD, and studies religious questions of
modern and ancient character.
Rev. Isaac Collier was born in Greene
county, N. Y, and in his mere childhood
ha astonishei his parents by declaring his
Intention to enter the ministry. lie
took a course of study in the Coxsackie
IN. Y. academy, and then the gram mar
school at New brunswick, n. j. He re-
ceivsd his diploma from Rutgers college.
following this by a three years theologi-
cal course. His first call was 10 Coey
mans. on the hudson river, where he
preached for five years. In 1866 he entered
upon his duties as pastor of the Dutch
Reformed church of Battle Greek, leaving
in 1871 for Richboro, Pa. on IA like call,
where he remained IA years, returning to
preach as "a Congreagtionalist in the Au-
gusta church. After his return to Battle
Creek, he took up his rhoreau-lile life
and has continued ever since in this plan
of living.
He has just been appointed game ward
en- for Calhoun county by Stare Warden
Chase Osborne, and announces emphati
caily that he will use the same vigor in
the fuldl lment Of the law as in the ex-
pounding of the scriptures and the travel
ing Of the woods for nature study. No
O le can fail to understand WHY he Is