Conrad Burch, Obituary/Death NoticePorter County obituaries and death notices . . . .
Conrad Burch
A HERMIT DEAD.
He Lived in Squalor, and When He Died Jars of Coins were Found Hidden all Over the Premises. A Search for More Treasures.
For 30 years Conrad Burch, a German by birth, has lived the life of a hermit in a little hut among the sand hills of Pine township, in this county. He was one of the first settlers of this section, taking up a claim as early as 1830. He reared a family of children, but as time elapsed they became widely separated, and all thought of ever again meeting any of his off-spring in this life passed from the memory of the old man. Sorrow and disappointment at thus being separated from his family told upon him, and he grieved constantly in his hours of solitude. He seemed to abhor contact with his fellow men, and building himself a rude hut on the shores of the lake, hear here, retired to that deserted spot, where he has lived in squalor and misery. His hair rapidly whitened under the burden of his grief, and he found no comfort, no attraction in life. His children came not, and nothing could comfort him or lighten the gloom which surrounded the little hut in which he had chosen to sepnd the remnant of his life, away from the world and far from the scenes that might, for a time, induce him to forget, and bring a ray of light into his dark, cheerless life. His long, unkept hair was allowed to grow, his bent form was but a faint suggestion of his earlier manhood, and he had every appearance of a patriarch.
Sunday the old German died, and a search of the lonely habitation, the interior of which few persons had ever seen previous to his death, was brought to light the immense wealth of the hermit. Jars of coins were found carefully concealed in the most inconcievable places. He died alone, unattended by either a friend or neighbor, and in the absence of the heirs no disposition can be made of his fortune. A thorough search will be made for the children.
Newspaper: The Tribune
Date of Publication: August 19, 1892
Volume Number: 9
Issue Number: 19
Page: 1
Column(s): 3
Key to Newspaper Publication Locations:
Newspapers Published in Chesterton, Porter County, Indiana
Chesterton Tribune
The Tribune
Westchester Tribune
Newspapers Published in Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana
Porter County Vidette
Practical Observer
Valparaiso Practical Observer
Vidette and Republic
Western Ranger
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Obituary/death notice transcribed by Steven R. Shook