The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-10-19

the Columbia bank On his return to and 1t was early next morning before he found his way out to the Athanaeum grounds, although it was only few blocks away, having wandered over the streets all night, too proud or sensitive to ask anyone for information.
 He cared for nothing but the barest necessities of life and was contented when he had pipe full of tobacco and a cup of black coffee, which he would sip and smoke by the hour, forgetting to eat or sleep. while thinking over some complex problem or while painting in his studio. It was peculiar habit of his to have dozen or more canvasses in his studio, which he would work on for weeks and months at the time. He would finally hold an art levee, all alone, after he had finished his paintings, and sit criticizing and studying the various paintings, until one. by one he would paint them out with few rapid strokes of the brush, destroying the work of days and weeks because they did not please him. He was a merciless critic of his own work, and If anyone admired his paintings or offered to buy them, he would invariably paint them out and begin over again on the same canvass, reproducing the same picture with changed conditions, often times making winter scene where formerly had been fall or summer environments. In this way comparatively few of his paintings of water colors have been preserved, al- though he was a diligent and hard work CT, and did an immense amount of work in both oil and water colors.
 One peculiar thing about his water colors is the striking resemblance they have to oil paintings. This strikes the attention of the novice as well as the most exacting art critic, and Is the best proof of the pure artistic instinct of this genius, for such he undoubtedly was. though comparatively unknown to the outside world through his own choice and his habits of recluse. Many of his paintings that are still preserved by his friends have the appearance of being heavy and rough at close sight from the fact that they were painted over and oyer again. from his habit already stated.
 One of his peculiarities was to call in children and ask them to describe some thing he was trying to bring out on his canvass If they were able to interpret the details of the painting he would be radiantly happy, but should they not, he would immediately paint the picture out, and do the work of days over again with as much care and patience as if it were a new creation.
 He invented lemon sqeezer while liv- ing on his farm near Florence, but was in such reduced circumstances at the time that he did not have enough money to buy lemon to demonstrate his inven- tion nor take out patent papers. He was too proud to make known his condition to his friends, and years after related this incident which illustrates the mans true character. aL q
 Ills Last Years.
 After retiring from the Athanaeum the second time he built with his own hands a little one-room house on ms farm, two miles and half from Colum- bia, It was a peculiar piece or arcni- lecture, and was made of two-by-fours nailed to the joists, one above the otner' instead of using blanks or weather boarding. It leaked so badly that ne was afterwards persuaded to smnsle to keep out the rain. In ceiling the sides he nailed himself up inside and had to cut his way out with saw. The open ing he used for a door, which was the only outlet to the humble little cot.
 Here he lived the last few years of his fife occasionally visited by his friends from town, leading the life of recluse. which he preferred. One cold winter day a negro in passing looked into the little room and saw Pruskowsh lying on the door. face down, and fled to town to give fbe alarm. His friends hastened to his aid and found him in an unconscious con- dttion. half clothed and almost frozen. He was taken to town. where he was cared for by his friends at the Atha- ynaeum. Everything was done for his comfort and he seemed to improve and show signs Of recovery, being able to sit up aud talls to bis fraepdat but old age