The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1901-01-04
Strange RECLUSE.
Jake Myers, a War Veteran, Led a
Hermit'S Life.
He Died IGNORANT OF The WORLD.
Was Disappointed In Love Ear'y
In Lifc.--A MahOning County
Romance.

A single carriage followed the hearse
that conveyed 10 the last resting place
all that was mortal of Jake Myers, as
he was known, In secluded spot in q
quiet little grave yard in Coitsvile The
body was buried within speaking
distance of the spot where Jake spent
the last few years of his very peculiar
life.
Myers was one of the most eccentric
characters Mahoning county has ever
had. But little positive information is
known of him prior to his silently taking
up his home in huts, which he himself
constructed in the woods in Coitsville
his carly life, it was with great diff
Guilty some months prior to his death
that a Youngstown Telegram reporter
extracted from him parts of his secret.
The reporter visited him quite recently
in his quaint home in the woods, and
in retrospective moments he CLEANED
sufficient to put together brief bi-
ography which Myers would never per-
nit being made public during life.
The recluse said that his correct name
was John Myers. He was reared in
Michigan where he had a brother liv-
ing years ago, but from whom he had
lot heard in years. He believed that
re also had a sitter in Iowa, but was
rot positive of it. Jake, according 10
many remarks dropped while in a senti
mental turn of mind was disappointed
n the love of his youth. Since that
period in his life he has had no time
tired into the obscurity of the woods and
ever since remained at the occupation of
pert. He labored in the wilds of MiChi-
gan, drifting around the country until
he landed here seven years ago. and
with the exception of years wander
ing as far as California he REMAND
here ever since until his death. His &C.
centricities soon became the gossip OF
the East End and hundreds of visitors
have paid their respects to Jake III his
hut. He never remained in one place
more than one season; he would their
move, If only to the next farm, and
build another hut.
He was as unfamiliar with the affairs
of the world as the most ignorant.
Never reading anything. he did not take
any interest in worldly affairs spoken
of in his presence. He cared only about
those who visited him and would inquire
of his visitors about those who had
not been to see him for an unusual
length of time. The long winters he
spent in front of his stove, chewing
tobacco and thinking-of what or whom
his labor he was often paid in vegeta-
bles. etc These he carried to the
market and carried back in the same
sack what little provisions he needed.
Jake was very solictous about his
guests and always had something for
them, nice boiled egg, peanuts, store
pie. chicken. little whisky or chew.
When he got a bit of money he shared
it with his friends.
Myers visited the Telegram Office four
times year, pension time. in order to
have his pension papers made out,
member of the staff.
Easter and Christmas Jake always
had a number of presents to distribute.
handkerchiefs in particular. his re-
porter friends getting two each year.
Honest. wholesouled and charitable, he
was taken care of during his poor
periods by his country friends, who
permitted him the freedom of their
farms. When his final sickness came
hospital. where pneumonia, contracted
while putting in this winter in an old
log house on the .McGuffey street road,
carried him away.
Jake served his country in the civil
war and had for years drawn a small
pension, He must have been an ideal
soldier. Fully 6 feet 3 inches In his
rawhide boots, of herculean build and
clean cut countenance later clouded
by years Of solitude and thought he
was magnificent specimen of mas
culinity. and conspicuously attracted
attention whenever he appeared. AL
though the peculiar old recluse Is gone.
he will live forever in the memory Of
the hundreds Of riends he made dur
ing his hermit life in the woods.