The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1906-02-22
4 STRANGE LIFE ENDS SAD.


2fteF Death OF FAtkeF and sisters lie Had
Left Civilization and LIxtd In tic
Woods.
Charlotte Observer.
About ten days ago The Observer
published an item stating that an
eyed man had been found dead near
the bridge Of the Southern Railway
over the Catawba river, about two
miles south Of Fort Mill, S. c. II
has since been learned that the man
wes George Maxwell, who had es-
eaped from the county home a few
days before that time. Maxwell was
about sixty years old and was one OF
the strangest characters that ever
lived in Mecklenburg county. For
more than q quarter Of a century he
lived the life Of hermit, refusing
to associate with any one and MAX
ing his habitation hut in the center
of large tract Of woods in Crab
Orchard township.
The older residents Of Crab Orchard
township remember when Maxwell
was member of a family. His
f. Ter, two sisters and himself lived
on farm near the Clear Greek lire.
They were tenants in fair circum-
stances. The father died, and shortly
afterwards sister. George and The
'cond sis er lived to. g her until IL e
sister died and then George began
the life Of a reclu:e. He buried
himself in the woods, building him
log cabin as far from the public
high ways and the residence of man
as he could.
He lived in the first hut ten or
twelve years and then, being warned
to get off the land, he moved into
the center of a 200-acre tract of
woods on the Balm mining place,
where he built another cabin and
cleared about an acre Of ground.
Here he lived for about Ii years,
until about two years ago, when Mr..
j. T. Lucas, the owner Of the land,
fearing that the old man would
starve Or freeze to death, had him
removed to the county home.
How Maxwell lived was a mys-
terry. He had traps which furnished
him meat, and he could exist on
berries part Of the year, but the corn
from one acre of land would not
furnish him bread. He kept to
and was never seen except
On the annual or semi-annual coca
sion when he came to Charlotte to
purchase a few supplies and necessi-
lies. On these occasions he would
walk to the city refusing to accept
ride, and, returning, he would
larry his purchases On his shoulder.
He never worked for the farmers Of
his section and it was not known
where he got his money.
The writer on one occasion visited
he habitation Of the hermit. The
'abin was low, built Of "unskinned"
ogs, the cracks filled with mud, and
covered with slabs. The chimney
vas built of stones, sticks and mud.
When called, Maxwell came hurri-
Idly to the door, but he was any
hing but cordial host. He did not
peak when greeted and, when ques-
Toned, answered in monosyllables.
lie was clad in a coat, shirt, pants
nd shoes, which were in dilapi-
lated condition, allowing the flesh
o shine through in places and re-
ealing the secret that he was with
tut underclothes. He was above the
Medium height and was gaunt. His
yes rOved and he had q restless
ook, feeling i'll st ease with COM
any. The story, so far as the in
arvleW was concerned, was failure. L.
Two weeks ago he ran away for 1
he last time. Life among his kind {
ecame unbearable to him, and he |
Ianted TO get away from civiliza- 1
ion, the civilization Of a county
ONE. He walked to Fort Mill, and
wo Or three days after he went
through the town he was found dead
4 haystack, where he had sought '
better from the elements. On his i,
erson was found S47.65, a $40 gold 4
iece, four SIS gold pieces aud some
liver.
MaXwell's death was like his life,
'nely, desolate. During his life of =
lore than half a century he had :.
ever raised his hand to help fell !.
'W-man; never had he smiled to
aake life brighter fog any one, nor E E
id an encouraging word that might =
ave changed the course of life. u
-e allowed himself to become souri,
hated tho very sight of man he v
lirked from filling his place in the .
orld. He died alone, cold, SILVER y,
g in a haystack. There was no =,
arm hand to soothe his brow and =,
AXE The passage into eternity :,
Veet. He was neglected no one 81
red for him.
He died as he had lived. f