Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-08-11
STORY OF LOVE AND MURDER
REVEALED BY HERMIT'S DEATH
Queer Character of Whom Little Was Known Dies in
Montana Cobin--Kitis RiUat in Germany and
Fees to America.

Twin Bridges. Mont.-Letters and
papers discovered in a rusty old tin
box hidden beneath a board in the
floor of a little old weather-beaten,
dilapidated. miners cabin clinging TO
a mountainside not far from here tell
one Of the strangest stories that has
come to light in this region In many
years.
The story is of an eccentric old her
nit who died in the cabin in which
the papers and letters were discov-
cred. The name of this hermit was
Roscoe Overheard. For years before
he died Overhardt lived alone in the
little old cabin and wandered over
the mountains hereabout in quest OF
game and gold.
II was always supposed by those
who knew him. or rather by those who
saw him. for no one hereabouts knew
him. that Overheard was mentally un-
balanced and that he was extremely
poor. In the twenty-odd years that he
made his home in the little old cabin
on the mountainside he never spoke
OF his own free will to any person.
never raised his eyes to look into
those OF a man OF woman with whom
he met face to face aud never bought
groceries or clothing at a store in
Twin Bridges or any other town in
this part OF Montana
The furniture in the one room Of his
cabin was Of the meanest sort. The
clothing upon the old mans back was
shabbier than the furniture in his
cabin. A dog was the hermit's only
friend and companion. For the dog he
seemed TO cherish a deep. warm af-
lection. while the faithful animals
love for him was well-nigh human in
its tenderness and constancy.
The strange. silent old man fell ill
few weeks ago In his shabby little
cabin on the mountain side and could
not leave his bed thereafter. No one
knew he was III until the day he died
when prospector. happening to pass
that way. STOPPED at HIS door 10 ask
for drink OF water and found him
dying. Before doctor could be
reached the hermit, went To his final
rest
A careful search OF the dead mans
cabin brought TO light a rusty tin box
containing a few gold coins and the
letters and papers which tell in part
the story OF his life before he came
west to spend his declining years in
loneliness.
Roscoe Overhardt was born in Ger
many, according 20 the story these
letters and papers tell His father
was well-to-do merchant I'm Berlin
and he gave his son a university edu-
cation. intending him 70 adopt the pro
fession OF medicine. In his student
days young Overhardt paid court TO
pretty Katherine Meller. and finally
won her consent 20 marry him
Katherine Meller had had another
sutton before she met Overhardt. His
name was Matthew Schoenfeldt. and
he belonged 90 a dignihcd family at
Frankfort. Schoenfeldt flew into a
high passion when he learned OF Miss
Meller's engagement TO Overheard
sought out the girls accepted lover
and picked a quarrel with him. II
the quarrel Overhardt stabbed Schoen-
feldt. who died of his wounds soon
afterward revealing the Identity OF his
slayer
Overhardt. well-night crazed with
grief, went Immediately 20 his sweet
heart and confessed his crime 10 her.
She begged him 20 fee 20 the United
States. promising to join him in this