The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1902-04-26
GROUNDING MITCHELL.
The Queerest of All the Alabama Her
mits.

mits.
In one of the most remote and mac
cessible portions. of Lauderdals coun-
ty Ala, is the hut OF "Groundhog"
Mitchell, one of the most unique and
remarkable characters that ever led
the life of a hermit.
Mitchell occasionally wanders from
home, and his unusual appearance and
strong individuality make lasting i'm
preston His big navy six-shooter,
which is always in his right hand or in
plain view on a belt, his characteristic
costume of ragged clothing made from
gunny sacks patched and repatched and
like Joseph's raiment, of many colors
and his white. unkempt hair and beard
and stern countenance give him the ap-
pearance of venerable patriarch of the
hermit tribe Tall, gaunt, almost
ghostly with shoulders bent and uncer-
tain tread, his figure is Familiarity asso-
ciated with the scenes and incidents of
vague and remote past.
In the veritable backwoods, where the
wild hog abounds and the only road is
the cow-trail is nestled the howell of
Mitchell Seldom does neighbor, or
anyone invade it, and even then their
approach must be announced from
distance. The greeting given the Wis.,
itor is always the same-he Is required
to look into the open barrel of the big
navy six-shooter. If the visitor can all
layt he hermit's suspicious the pistol is
at length withdrawn, but otherwise 1t
follows him as shadow. Mitchell is
seldom to be seen about the place. He
is always in the dark recesses of his
dem and the visitor must call from it.
When hailed he answers with a gruff
response, and soon his weird figure
emerges from the opening. With his
right arm defantly raised and the hand
tightly clutching the pistol and his
wild, grewsome look he peers forth to
confront the intruder, who is held nom
plussed and spellbound by the CHASTITY
figure creeping out from the debris be-
fore him, the whole scene appealing
to the beholder. and portray
ing itself as wildly on his mind as an
encounter with a supernatural being.
Some time ago a physician travelling
over the country roads at night became
lost in the woods. In the darkness he
wandered for three hours, leading his
horse in and out among the trees of the
forest. At last he saw dwelling before
him and hailed the occupant Soon a
startling spectacle appeared before him
With head uncovered and pistol in hand
and scanty covering on his body, his
dark figure silhouetted against the dim
Mitchell Strengthened up
to watch the next movement of his foe. |
At that moment a. bright flash of light
1ing illuminated the scene. In the same |
position calmly stood the hermit, as if |
to defy the added wrath of the ele- /
nents The man Of medicine stood riv- /
tied to the spot, overcome by the weird i
sight, and Mitchell broke the deep sus-
)ense by demanding to know his night
GRAND. Brought to his senses, the
physician spoke with diplomacy never
allied forth in his professional practice
md the old man directed him to go
without delay, which he gladly did
The name Grounding" is appropri-
tely applied to Mitchell, whose little
bode has neither windows nor doors I
md where all within is as dark as an
habita ton. A low, narrow 1
,assageWay leads into the living room,
he only one he occupies. which Is a
ark, musty place four feet wide and
tx feet long. In one corner is a. little n
tove, and lengthwise of the den is a
ed of pine boards. Strewn about in
confusion are his rude
ooking utensils, and hanging on the
lalls are coon skins and ammunition
nd other mementoes of a hermit life, i
% low is the place that he cannot
tand in it, and so small and crowded Il
hat he can barely turn around. There
not the least suggestion of a window,
nd the sides are rudely covered with
ags to keep out the light. Nothing per-
AIDES the gloom within except the dim
ECKER of a dirty lamp and the light
1diating from the stove as he prepares
is simple meal of wild meat or corn
read.
The outward aspect of the place is in
arfect harmony with the hermit's at
,chment for the strange and the I'M
atural, and in no way is there mani
'sted any regard for the softening in
uences of civilization. Not fowl nor
limal is to be seen, and about the
ace solitude remains supreme. The .
tie filling of the soil he does Is with