The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-06-03
MRS. C. B. GILFILLAN, -
INDIANA WOMAN HERMIT.

One OF the most remarkable cases Of
voluntary seclusion from the world that
ever has been recorded is sheltered by
an unpretentious frame dwelling on the
main street of the quaint old town of
Brookville, Ind. For sixty-tive years the
blinds which cover the windows Of one
room in the house have not once been
7onened. The room is occupied by wo-
man who must have reached the age Of
nearly four score years by this time, al
though nobody except her sister has
seen her since the time when, as girl
in her teens, she shut herself apart from
the world in voluntary seclusion.
Although Brookville is not progress
sive town, its population has changed
several times since 1895. There Is hardly
a person in the village today who, evar
looked upon the face or the solitary wo-
man in the darkened house. To most OF
the inhabitants OF the place her very ex-
istence is only a tradition, and her story,
IL ever it was known, has been entirely
forgotten.
Some romantic tragedy is undoubtedly
locked behind the doors Of the silent
house, but what it is only the lonely wo-
man herself can tell, and it is not likely
now that her lips ever will be unsealed.
Aged residents OF the place, whose MEM
cries run back TO the commencement OF
the story, say that Phobe Meeks-that is
the woman's name-was among the most
| beautiful and gay of the village girls.
She was the daughter of well-to-do par
ents. and seemed to be surrounded by
everything essential to her happiness.
Presently the girl fell in love with Had
ley Johnson, one of the young men of
the town, with whom she had grown up
from childhood The match was approved
by both families, and the wedding was
expected to take place in the summer OF
| 1886.
Some weeks before the date set for the
wedding, the lovers. in company with q
number Of other couples from the town
attended a picnic party in 4 nearby
| grove. The day passed pleasantly, and
| as evening approached a party Of the
| young folks. including Miss Meeks and
| her lover, walked homeward along the
/ canal. which had just been constructed
| Brookville. Before entering the town they
| sat donw for a few moments on the bank
/ Of the canal. They chatted gaily together
| and there was no intimauon Of disagree
| ment between them. when Miss Meeks
| suddenly rose to her feet. turned her bach
| on her friends and walked rapidly to
| ward her home. The others called L
her. but she paid NJ attention 70 them.
| Presently young Johnson followed 10 m.
Meeks home, believing that his sweet
heart must have. taken offence a. sgults
! thing that ne had done unwitangiy. re
| looked upon IL as an ordinary lovers
| quarrel which could easily BE- explained
| away On arrival II the house he foult
it dark, and 50 ne postponed his c1lI VI.
Ill the following day.
That summer evening BY the canal Wa
! the last time that Hadley johnson or sny
! OF her friends ever looked upon the fact
! OF Phoebe 1Ieeks. The lover called a
! the house. but was refused adraiCtancc
He wrote 20 her. ana his letters were re-
| turned, unopene1 To others VIII Gales
| the young woman remained invisible ans
| when questions regarding hSr were pu
to other members q the family. they re
fused TO discuss the subject
| Al first the girls action was reEardee
/ as a wlltzl Nhirn. bus when month afts.
/ EE0lsl passed and she Gt& iot Yea a.
| 4 assumed more serious aspect NJ
evu the clo5sst friends q the family ever
| saw her, and il was said that she id
| net leave her room. the blinds q whics
| we're kept always closed A. Iengit
1 yoaag johnson gave ~ his attempts Sd
zee his sfianee3 bride. and II despair
moved further 1ess- TEe PES. leuts o.
the tcwn ceased - TAX abo@; ire mat
L. except II Al occasional woasssEsRs
way
/ Hsdley Johnson became I pr5alilezi
and wealthy business man IL Utal- ard
/ was one - ihe presidential electors ssssz
i that state al It's FIRST rass3Eal eiesell z
\ few years ago he vlsate.i Brook iise
and raAe = aual sfsst 20 see fss s'-na1
/ who-a 20 had loved, oGt, As azfre. sas
/ refused 70 see hin ~ dieS last ysA'
/ n his western hoze. never harifs s4aE.
/ sied- &nt 50 ~ IS AS frssa1s sEuE
/ neveT haTsnS learned Ire case tA2s A4a
/ taken ITS promised bride from A4S..