A Wild Man of Alabama

Society does not tolerate outsiders and hermits very well.

Source: The True Democrat (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania)16 Mar 1853, Wed Page 2

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Posted By: Paul - Fri Jan 07, 2022
Category: Regionalism | Vigilante Justice | Hermits | Dogs | Nineteenth Century

Comments

Poor bastard. I wonder what drove him to that life.

Posted by Richard Bos on 01/08/22 at 09:15 AM

Presumably, the meaning of "romantic encounters" in the article isn't what's meant by that term today.

Posted by ges on 01/09/22 at 10:34 PM

Possibly autistic? Also, I suspect that the “boy” mentioned was a slave.

Posted by Brian on 01/11/22 at 11:28 AM

Also interesting is the use of the word “fabulous,” which here means “not credible.”

Posted by Brian on 01/11/22 at 11:29 AM

Brian, there's little doubt the "boy" was a slave. It describes him as "belonging to A. P. Neely" and says he "reported to his master."

Posted by ges on 01/11/22 at 09:24 PM

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