MDSTMARY-L Archives

Archiver > MDSTMARY > 2004-04 > 1082808033


From: "Karen Fowler Caldwell" <>
Subject: Basil Hayden, 'The Hermit'
Date: Sat, 24 Apr 2004 08:00:33 -0400
References: <40806FD7.3060701@cox.net> <003901c42480$c9621a40$0200a8c0@reno>


Over the years I have collected several newspaper articles on Basil Hayden,
the hermit of Nelson Co. KY and I want to share some of the best ones. I
have a drawing that was taken from one of the articles of a picture of Basil
and the house he lived in. If anyone wants a copy of it just email me.
Karen


HAYDON, BASIL
WASHINGTON COUNTY (KY) NEWS LEADER 2/23/1899
A remarkable case is that of Basil Haydon, who has spent 30 years in one
Room. There lives in Washington county, we are informed, 6 or 7 miles south
of Springfield, one of the most eccentric human beings, we feel warranted
in saying in Kentucky. Shortly before Abraham Lincoln was inqugurated
president of the U. S., on the 4th of March, 1861, Basil Haydon was to have
married a young lady in the neighborhood in which he now lives, but before
the day set for the marriage arrived she eloped with another man and has
never been heard from by any of her relatives. This weighed on the mind of
her former admirer, and the day the president took his seat in the White
House he went to his room in the second story of the building and declared
he would nerver step on the earth again as long as he should live. His
father and mother were both dead, and he had been living in the house alone
for several months, doing his own cooking. His bitter disappointment he
gave as a reason for his seclusion. People at first thought him to be
crazy, but, after a sufficient length of time, discovered their mistake.
Since he first secluded himself 38 years ago, so far as is known, he has
never broken his word. Some say he lives 2 miles form Frederickstown, in
the Poplar Flat neighborhood. He being an uncle of Mr. Alex Hamilton and
Mrs. George Robertson. He is quite wealthy and looks fter his business
affairs and has accumulated a large estate. He had a brother who died
several years ago who was a distiller and quite wealthy.

HAYDEN, BASIL
DAILY IOWA STATE PRESS, IOWA CITY, IOWA 5/1/1899
A KENTUCKY HERMIT
OWNS FINE FARM AND IS VERY WEALTHY
WAS ONCE A LEADER IN HIS NEIGHBORHOOD
SERVED IN THE CONFEDERATE ARMY
SAYS THE LORD HAS TREATED HIM WRONGLY
HIS QUEER ACTIONS
Living ten miles east of Bardstown, Ky., is one of the most singular
characters in the state. Now in his 75th year, he has not touched his foot
to the earth for over thirty years. Living in a comfortable residence,
surrounded by many acres of the best land in Nelson county, he is spending
his declining years in colitude. Basil Hayden, referred to above, is one of
the wealthiest farmers in a district composed of half a dozen counties , and
is descended from a family well known in the pioneer annals of the state.
Many of them have also been distinguished in the different lines of life.
One of his brothers, Raymond Hayden, was the originator of a celebrated
brand of whisky, and for years held a controlling interest in once of the
most famous distilleries in the United States. He, too, had peculiar ideas,
and lived a bachelor all his life, and at last died at an advanced age under
singular circumstances. He was found dead in his orchard, a number of years
ago, a bottle that had contained poison lying by his side. It was generally
supposed that he comitted suicide, but there were some of the opinion that
he had met with foul play, and that the poison bottle had been placed near
him for a blind. Basil Hayden, or "The Hermit," as he is known throughout
the section in which he lives, in his youth was a social leader, and very
popular with a circle of friends. When the war broke out he entered the
confederate army and made a good soldier to the last end. When he returned
home he found his slaves free and his property greatly damaged. The
emancipation of the negroes affected him seriously, and he brooded over it
constantly. He became silent and morose, declining all overtures of
friendliness on the part of his neighbors. He declared the Lord had dealt
harshly and unjustly with him in depriving him of his slaves, and out of
revenge he registered a terrible oath that he would never again put his foot
to the Lord's ground, and so far he has kept his vow. Never since its
registration has he appeard without his door, nor will he have intercourse
with any save one or two, who are immediately connected with him, and then
his words are of the briefest possible character. His landed interests are
extensive, and under the management of the competent overseer yield him a
handsome income. The overseer makes his reports to the queer old man in his
darkened retreat, who gives his directions and orders as tersely as
possible. He has never spoken to a woman in any manner since his
self-imposed exile, nor will he allow one to be employed upon his place.
How he spends his time in his darkened room no one knows, but it is said he
is a miser as well as a hermit, and that his chief employment is counting
and toying with his money, of which he is said to have a vast amount in
silver and gold. Be this as it mauy, a Bardstown banker twice a year visits
Mr. Hayden, and through him the recluse settles his financial manners with
the outside world. Mr. Hayden is described as a fine-looking man, with a
full beard and flowing hair. His confinement has bleached him until his is
as white as a infant, and his hands are as soft as raw cotton. He had a
sale of mules at his farm recently and a number of animals were sold at
fancy prices. A large number of people were present at the sale, among them
the writer, but never a glimpse was caught of Hayden. His instructions to
the auctioneer were sent out by the overseer, written in a crabbed hand and
were very direct.


HAYDON, BASIL
OBIT
WASHINGTON COUNTY (KY) NEWS LEADER 9/19/1909
45 YEARS IN HIS ROOM, WAS BASIL HAYDON WHO DIED LAST FRIDAY
Seldom it is the duty of an editor to chronicle the death of one whose life
is so shrouded in mystery, as that of Mr. Basil Haydon, who died last week,
in Nelson County just over the border line of this county. Mr. Haydon was
born in Nelson County eighty five years ago. His parents came there from
Maryland in the early part of the nineteenth century, and were among the
early settlers of the county, and it was they who purchased the farm and
built the brick house where Mr. Haydon was living when he died. Basil was
one of twelve children, eight boys and four girls. Of the girls, two
entered the convent at Loretto, and one at St. Catharine, the other married
Mr. Hamilton and was the mother of Mr. Alex Hamilton and Mrs. G. D.
Robertson, Sr., of this place. Basil Haydon grew to manhood in the county
of birth and never wandered far from the place of birth. He was educated at
St. Joseph's College at Bardstown. In the early days he mingled in the
highest society and was very cultured in intellect and handsome in person.
He lived as other men and mingled with them until about the close of the
civil war, when without any apparent reason and without disclosing to any
one his motive he suddenly went into retirement and for the remainder of his
days he live the life of a hermit. During this long period of nearly a half
century he seldom saw anyone. The house where he lived was built in the
early colonial style of those days, situated on his farm of 600 acres, far
from the road the way to which lies through a dense forest. Here, far from
the madding crowd he was content to spend his days, never leaving his room,
seldom talking to anyone. The only persons on the place besides himself was
a Mr. Logue Borders and his wife who lived in the house with him and managed
his affairs for him. In his habits he was very peculiar, and during the
hottest days of the year kept a fire burning in the great fire place. What
was the man's motive and what led him to choose so strange a manner of
living will never be known for this secret of his life is buried with him.
If it was some vow taken to live this secluded life, it was faithfully kept.
Though separated from the world and scarcely living in it, he knew what it
was doing in every land. He was well informed on all leading questions of
the day and conversed intelligently on all subjects with the few who had the
privilege of being admitted to his presence. Though never voting, he was an
ardent Democrat and always took an intense interest in political subjects.
During his life, he had his farm conducted successfully and doubtless made
money. Several fortunes were left to him but what disposition he made of
his property is not yet known. When death came too close the existence of
one who had been dead to the world for nearly half a century, it came not in
the form of disease to cut short his existence but as a gentle messenger
when life's candle burnt out. Funeral services were conducted at
Fredrickstown Sunday by Rev. Father Pieters and the remains were laid to
rest in St. Joseph's cemetery at Bardstown. Thus closes the final chapter
in the life of a man whose acts no mortal can judge, for his motive was
known only to himself and his Savior.

This thread: