The Washington times., 1903-06-23
Eccentric Metal Hunter,
Long Lost, Discovered.
NOW GUARDED BY BIG DOGS
Had Not Been Seen for Five Years,
When He Last Bought
Provisions.

are most plentiful, has returned from
an expedition into the mountains, bring
Ing with him story OF the finding OF
old Gold Toes" a hermit. who was
we'll known in this section several years
ago. but who disappeared from his
haunts in the forests OF KillIngton Peak
and was forgotten.
Weston says that he came upon the
hermit under most peculiar circum-
stances while fishing on one of the little
known streams on the eastern slope OF
the mountain, and that he spent two
days with him. He formerly knew the
old man as we'll as anyone. and says
that while he is now more than eighty
years of age he is still spry and can
fish and hunt as we'll as ever.
"Gold Toes" Name
Less is known regarding Gold Toes "
real name than is known about the her
NIT himself. He first came to notice
twenty years ago, during q protracted
drought. when he was forced to go TO
the Killington House spring for water.
He came by the name of Gold Toes"
owing TO the fact that he was an in
veterate gold hunter. and was supposed
toes of several old pairs of shoes Sc
creted In a cave wherein he spent much
OF his time with dogs and owls for pets
Weston assured the hermit that he
had no wish to pry into his private al
fairs, and after some time induced him
TO take him 10 his cave. The two men
and the dog thereupon started OF up
the mountain, but not until Weston had
sworn on three crossed hedgehog quilts
that he would never reveal the location
to a living being,
The way led through the dense tim
Der to a part of the mountain the fish
erman himself had never traversed.
The dog went ahead, the hermit follow
ed the dog and Weston trailed along
after the hermit. At the end Of half
an hour the taller trees began to dis
appear. and big boulders covered with
Iichen and moist underground became
more frequent. A little faTthur on, the
ground fell away between the sides of
a ravine which eventually rose over
100 feet sheer on either side, forming
a narrow passageway.
Running Pine.
The rocks were covered with run
Ming pine. and l could see by the way
the moisture hung 70 them that the
-avine extended north and south, 3" said
Weston. in relating what followed.
1.-THE sun never struck the place except
at noon, and Il had an uncanny, moist
smell There was not a trace OF a
pathway. which was accounted for by
the fact that the old man continually
stepped on the rocks didn't notice
this until 1 was cautioned to do the
same.
Finally we came to a narrow slit in
the rocks that went or at right angles
from the main passageway. thin
slab Of shale about four by five feet,
leaned up against the main rock, and
before this the hermit stopped. He
then removed the slab disclosing 4
narrow opening. Gold Toes got down
on his hands and knees and, motionins
me to follow, crawled in. The dog had
already gone and heard him with halt
dozen other animals growing and
sna-ling somewhere down in the depths
Dogs Guard Cave.
How far we crawled I don't know
but II seemed about fifty rods There
were several turns. and twice we passed
through chambers OF considerable size
Tho old man explained that these were
his ante-rooms, and that dogs guarded
each while he was absent. We finally
cane 10 the main cave, which was about
thirty feet fin diameter and nearly round
II was carpcted with spruce needles
and the walls were hung with the skin;
4
in one corner, made Of sticks. skins. anC
moss. and hunting implements stood 81
the corners. A stove constructed out o
several pieces Of sheet iron and rocl,i
held together by clay completed The fur.
nishings.
Il was as hungry as a bear. and begai
10 uull some bareback and bacon out o
my kit. when old Gold Toes laid hi
hand on my arm and smiled. He though
a minute for words that we're rambling
about IN the back Of his head and thei
said that as l was his guest he insisted
on doing the providing. With that h
removed a rock IN the side OF the cave
disappeared in a recess. and brought on
como -four a partridge. and n littl
meal. The dogs all set up a unite
howl and circled around TO be fed. bu
the old man kicked them into a corne
and built a fire. He then cooked a
dainty a meal as have eaten in man
a day.
In all was at the place two days
We dinod well. The old man showed m
sorre excellent rJnways for deer an
some trout brooks that had never dis
covered. He showed me how he blocke
the cave in winter. and explained tina
he could keep as snug as a bug IN a rua
shall carry out my promise regardin
the provisions. and shall keep the loca
ton OF tho cave a secret. The old ma
was well and seemed TO love his solitar
life"
GETS GERMAN SCENERY.
BERLIN, June 22.-Director Conrie,
OF the Metropolitan Opcrn House. Ne