The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1904-09-22
STORY of He1ml1 Ellison.

The Evening week printed story OF the lie
Wilson, Hermit whoved many during the early
days Wilson island 1t differs somewhat from many o
published man, perhaps as good guess as
THE TINES repubishes the
story, which is as follows .
Few neoe who visit this section Of familiar
history with the Indian tribe Chppe"as
conducted station on the Isle OF
Madeline widely known summer resort There Is
story arising early dates concerning Wilson Island IN wnn
the will be greatly interested owing TO tne
fact that the of the story remains unchanged
The scene picture desolation framed in evergreen
Back of and great pine forests stretching away
inland until it meets the dull Before lies the
of the north covered with snowcappeo ice as
the eye reach
When lights this picture it is different
wheap ped gsn and sparkle as they bore
upon of diamonds and pearls Then the
casting ravshy beautiful shadows the
wavees The channels and ines charming s
dotted with the sherman boats and pleasure
yachts Upon there be the long trail OF
passing steamer the white wings of the ships
shat northwest the
graneres
AS you gaze upon below hardly imagine that
human being who could find in the deathke
silence the frozen asylum where shut out from all
world content perfect solitude undisturbed
oy man. There he dwet rude log cabin
hidden the signing pines winter and for
sixteen years.
Wison the Hermit called by the people who lived at
ancient Bayfield, Strange stories told of him.
and of before he built his cabin and
twicea heoo his rudeybut boat or birch
the settlements repenishhs exhausted stores
and then silently stole away to his island home.
afraid Of him and seldom visited mis- island
Thew called him Mu Manito he Evil One) He terror to
their warriors and two OCCASIONS when
adventurous braves he punished them severely
built of pine logs and contained but
Two large chests rude made chair
rough broken looking glass; cheap
ed prints tackled walls books and pegs for
ais rife and completed furnishings rude mud and
eobe chimney and place furnished him warmth the
winter his plain and scanty meals This
he "Hermit's' home.
anOfm heiOh
BUILT with keen eyes heavy gray beard and hair
He seldom with when his semiannua
visits to the settlement except with of his old friends
of Scotch in Canada andin 1870 when
but from home and shipped by
around Cape Horn Astoria the then famous
trading post But he could forget his
Canadian his aged French asse
and longed civilization His term of
expired 1917 and he joined six and started for
Columbia overland the Rocky mountains
full occupying nearly three years. ne and his
managed Lake Superior alive but terribly and
weary short he joined expedition bound for Saut
Ste finally long and tedious Journey reached
as again after absence nearly But
there greet him there His dead
ais sweetheart mother large family and the
odo farmer parents left him large
and gold but he could down the adventurous
spirit within him, and he back wild life
border.
returned Lake Superior 1921 and enlisted in the
the Hudson Bay Fur Company and then entered the
poy American Fur and stationed aPone He
in this service until the affairs wound 17
then retired his home and began his lonely life
October 1862 Articbo Chippewa chief returning
fro fishing grounds his birch bark decided stop
at and propitate him with
He cabin knocked at the door, Receiving
swer entered cautiously
bedside the noted hermit and there
upon his his rife in his hands, Wilson, Apurse
filed silver found the
This is the only thing discovered but still by
many large of money hidden
beneath the cottage Wilson's body
60 Point Madeline island and there iven decent burial
Old Mission cemetery.
Read "A IOya1 Church.