Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1932-08-18
FREED FROM PRISON
WILD MAN RETURNS
TO PRIMITIVE LIFE
George Survel Declares That
Life in Open Cures
Stomach Ills.

Benton, Ill.-George Snrvel has re-
turned TO the primitive life; back TO
nature In the wlde-open spaces, where
his cares and worries are few, where
he sees little of mankind as he leads
the life OF sef-apnOinted hermit.
Suryel has been released from the
Franklin county Jail here. where he
served ten days OF fifteen-day SEN
renee imposed upon him by justice
OF the peace for fishing without H.
cense. The complaint was made by
ANDY +. Goodwin of Boston. a state
game warden, who found Survel. Nv
ing on the banks Of the Big Muddy.
Friends of Survel believed he long
had been dead or had gone back to
his native Austria, as lie had van
ished In 1896 Goodwin took his pris-
oner into Zeiger and announced he
had found Wild man living in cave
shirt and overalls.
Sent to Jail.
When given new clothing, haircut,
and shave, friends we're amazed
George Suryel had returned. He had
been living near them all these years.
He WIS brought 10 Benton and, being
unable 10 pay a $50 line, was ordered
to Jail for 10 days. Before the SEN
tenee was completed, Sheriff Brown
Ing released him.
"Why shouldn't come back" Sur
vel said. He was found sitting on
a log weaving q mel from cord CIV
en- him by the sheriff. j came back
he said, because there was no other
place TO go, and have become hard
ened to the outdoor life. told the
| sheriff and others TINT took up this
| life because was disguised with min
| ing conditions. That was partly SO,
but In the main, there was another
reason"
"Mv brother and came to America
| In 1902. We worked In the C0ello
mine near Christopher, at Weaver ILL.,,
and then came to Xelgler With the
4 UUIDTbsik vi LIE WIN eat we ~
turned TO our native land and took up
arms. After tile war we returned 10
i the United STATES and my brother was
i killed in mine accident In Pennsyl-
vania. | returned to Leigler ana
i worked In the Mines hut something
went wrong with my head and stom-
! ach. had dizzy spells and my siom-
ach would hurt me after eating.
decided would have 10 quit working
at the mines, hut had no relatives to
look after me.
Cured by Simple Life.
Il didn't want 10 20 10 hospital
and was afraid Of being taken to the
J poor farm. had friends, but didn'
want TO impose upon them. and thai
Is the real reason why ] got Off te
myself | stayed one place four years
on the Big Muddy river. but II he
came too public and ! moved to this
place. am forty-two years old and
would like to stay here until die"
Suryel's home Is built on the sds
OF knoll 20 feet above the waters
OF the Big Muddy river. A deep "a
vine is on one side and the river OF
S the other, leaving plot OF ground D
S feet long and 80 feet wide.
In the doorway hung an alllgato
/ gar, n species Of fish seldom seen Il
the Big Muddy. which he had caught
Hell make good food" Snrvel sale
), He explained he had lived on vii
= fruits, nuts, herbs. and barks OF trees
II sometimes catch mnskrat 0
mud turtle" he said. After coo
. them squeeze crab apple juice Q
the meat and that makes excelleI
food. In the fall store up nuts an
at that time OF the year make
new bed"
Outdoor life has cured Survel OF di;
ziness and his stomach ailmenf, \
cajl