1900 - Hermit at Millgrove

In late May 1900, the Hamilton Times sent a reporter and artist north of city to a swampy part of West Flamboro Township, outside the hamlet known as Millgrove. They were sent to interview a hermit who had been living in shack all by myself.

On May 23, 1900, the story appeared in the Times :

“Almost cut off from civilization, summer and winter, in a little shack lives old Joseph Morden, a woman-hater of the most pronounced type. His only companions are a pug dog and a cat. For days at a time, these are the only living creatures he talks to, and the voice of a human being is not heard by him. Morden is a very queer specimen of humanity, and is largely supported by the township authorities. The only work he does is to gather firework to keep himself warm in winter time, and carry water from a well about half a mile away from his place of abode.

“Morden lives in the Millgrove swamp, on the 4^th concession, about a mile from the town line. His castle is a one-room shack, about 8 x 12, made of rough boards. He said that when the shack was built 21 years ago an old-fashioned ‘bee’ was held, and the building was put up in a few hours, there being many willing hands present. There is only one entrance to the place, and only one window for the sun from the western sky to shine through. The roof is four or five boards thick, and the inside is lined with tar paper, upon which bed bugs and other small vermin have running races and steeplechases. Besides the ordinary door, he has a storm door for use in winter time.

“The interior of the building is rougher than the exterior even. In one end of the place is an old wood stove and a collection of cooking utensils which the President of an historical society would, undoubtedly, pronounce rare.

“The only utensils seen by the reporter were two frying pans and a pot. The old man’s table dishes consisted of a cup and saucer, which were cracked and a china sugar bowl, not to match. A rusty tin dipper completed the outfit.

“In the opposite end is a bed, thrown up against the wall, and from its appearance it has not been ‘made’ or the clothes washed in many years. There is only one chair in the place, and that was given him by a farmer in the vicinity.

“The old man says he has a brother, named Clyde Morden, residing alone near Rock Chapel, and that 35 years ago a brother, named John Morden, kept a hotel near Dundurn Park, Hamilton. He said the last time he came to Hamilton was the day ‘the Orangemen walked, about twelve years ago.’ When he wants anything from the city, he asked the passing farmers to bring it for him. He has a pronounced antipathy for city life; he said he didn’t like crowds. An electric car is a thing unknown to him.

“Some years ago, Morden was sent to the House of Providence in Dundas by the township authorities, but he refused to stay there longer than two weeks. He left the institution and walked back to his little shack, where he has remained continuously ever since. He has a bad running sore, which he called a ‘fever sore,’ on one leg, and this he treats with salve, which he makes from gum obtained from the trees in the bush, and grease.

“A silver coin of the realm, given him by the reporter, put him into a musical mood, and he produced his violin, which, after his dog and cat, is his most intimate friend. He played on the instrument vigorously, tunes which were of his own composition, he said, and, after some persuasion, he sang the song, My Darling Nellie Gray,’ with the fervor of a man who had known Nellie in her better days. He knew the score of the song perfectly, although he said he heard it but once, when it was sung by an itinerant organ grinder who once struck Clappison Corners. The old chap said he was something of an acrobat, and could sing and play the violin while turning hand springs, but begged to be excused from proving the assertion on account of a sore leg. A couple of years ago, the manager of a circus offered him big money to travel and give exhibitions, but he declined, as he did not want to ‘lay his eyes on city life again.’¹

¹ “Hermit in Millgrove : Name is Morden and He Has Lived There 21 Years : Joe the Woman-Hater : He is a Good Musician – His Only Companions Are a Pug Dog and a Cat – The Old Man is Getting Feeble Now – He Lives Winter and Summer in a Shack 8 X 12 Feet.”

Hamilton Times.   May 23, 1900.