The times., 1899-01-08
A CLERICAL GAME WARDEN.
Lives with His Dogs, Fishes. Huris
and Subsists Upon the Results.

Battle Creek. Mich, Dec. 24.-Calhoun
County, Mich. boasts of the only clergy
man game warden in America the Rev
Isaac Collier, who is known throughout the
State as the Henry d. ThoTeau Of Michi-
gan, as he has for many years lived alone
with his dogs in a cottage on the shore OF
Goguac Lake. Summer. Winter and every
season. spending his time in fishing ana
hunting and in the study of hooks and ma
ture
A passionate regard for nature has led
this unique clergyman to live among the
flowers and trees, the birds and animals OF
the woods. Years OF botanical training
make it possible for him to understand the
flowers which he pluCks by the roadside or
in the fields or forests. Never does a day
pass that the venerable character. with his
fshpole, may not be seen vending his way
to the waters edge for his customary fish
His expert knowledge of angling makes
him known among the fishermen as Our
Izaak Walton, and ne lives out his title.
Not only does he fish, but he studies his
prey. He knows the fish and their habits.
and is at home among them.
strange place is his cottage. Unlathed
upholstered, but the home OF content=d
man. He subsists entirely upon the re-
suits OF his hunting and fishing. He not
only sells his fish for the few groceries
and supplies which he requires. but he is
fond of them as regular diet. He is his
own cook. His tea he makes from tine
wild plant blossom known as the Jersey
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 siXty-eight years OF his
life have passed. But he says, 4 live
close TO nature, and so l do live, not eX-
ist.'
Greek, Latin. Hebrew, Chalda.c Syr!ac,
French and modern languages are read By
the quaint character, and no matter how
busy d day ne has spent among his fish
friends. he closes it by reading a chapter
in his Greek Testament Apart from the
world he never negects his religion and
studies religious questions of modern and
ancient character.
The Rev Isaac Collier was born in
Greene County, \. Y. and in his mere
childhood he astonished his parents by
declaring his intention to enter the minis
try He took a course of study in the
CoXsackie N. " Academy, and then the
grammar school at New Brunswick y J.
He received his diploma from Rutgers
College. following this by a three years
theological course. His first call was to
CocS mans on the Hudson River where he
preached for five years. In 1866 he enter
ed upon his duties as pastor of the Dutch
Reformed Church of Battle Greek. leaving
in 1871 for Richboro. Pa, on a like call.
where he remained fourteen years, return
ing TO preach as a Congregationalist in
the Augusta church. After his return to
Battle Greek he took up his Thoreau-like
life, and has continued ever since in this
plan of living
He has just been appointed game warden
for Calhoun County by State Warden Chase
Osborne. and announces emphatically that
he will use the same vigOr in the fulfill
ment of the law as in the eXpounding of
the Scriptures and the travelling of the
woods for nature study. No one can fail
to understand why he is called the Henry
n Thorbeau, of Michigan