Hermit Fatally Burned

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 71, 25 March 1936, Page 9

Hermit Fatally Burned

LIVING ALONE FOR FIFTY YEARS Mourning the death of his young and beautiful wife, a man of 45, wealthy and with extensive estates, decided to bury himself, away in the woods near Cuwfold, Sussex. That was 50 years ago, aud throughout all that time he lived the life of a hermit, alone with his memories and his violin. Only last month when the coroner investigated his death, did his strange story come to light. The man, John Horatio Pitcher, aged 95, was found burned to death .in tho . smouldering ruins of his little bungalow near St. Hugh Monastery. The representative of a firm of solicitors, Mr P. Dudeney, told the coroner that his firm had had a long association with tho dead man. At one time he owned considerable property, chiefly in Pevensey, Ilailsham and East Sussex. "But he was a very eccentric old gentleman, and he endeavoured to manage liis farms and land himself,” Mr Dudeney added. “In consequence these farms became heavily mortgaged, and, some few years ago, various mortgagees had to step in and exercise power of sale.” As far as Mr Dudeney’s firm knew, Mr Pitcher had m> relatives. "We rather suspect that the poor old gentleman died almost penniless,” stated Mr Dudeney, who, on behalf of his firm, offered to bear the funeral expenses. Evidence was given that flames were seen coming from the bungalow shortly after six o’clock in the morning, and that it was impossible for tho first arrivals to get within 15 feet of the blazing building. Albert Langridgc, who lives in a nearby cottage, ,said that he visited Mr Pitcher every evening. Ho was in a very enfeebled condition, and he thought that tho fire might have been caused by tho overturning of a candle, which was the only means of lighting. The coroner, stating that the actual cause of death had not been ascertained, recorded an open verdict.