LUSK, John
Source: Kingman Star Friday, March 26, 1915 Edition
JOHN LUSK, the famous hermit bachelor owner of Turkey Run, died at his home near the “Narrows” of Sugar Creek about 10 o’clock last Friday morning following a short illness of pneumonia. He was about 75 years of age and leaves an estate comprising about 1300 acres of land on which there is timber the value of which would be difficult to estate.
His last illness is said to have been contracted when he made a trip a few weeks ago to Indianapolis with a consignment of hogs. He had suffered a paralytic stroke a year ago which weakened him, making him an easy victim for the disease. During his last illness he was attended by W. S. Perry, his principal tenant, who provided every means of medical attention for the aged man.
On account of certain excentricities, John Lusk was known far and wide. He was the last to die of the descendents of Salmon Lusk, a native of Vermont, who settled in the wilderness near the “Narrows” in 1826. through some manner John acquired his father’s vast estate. He and his mother lived together until her death about 35 years ago, since which time he has lived alone, renting his land to tenants. The timber on the estate is valued at between $40,000 and $50,000 much of it being the original growth from which not a single tree has ever been removed.
Mr. Lusk was very peculiar in his habits, taking little pains as to his dress of manner of living, and one to see him would not even think of him as a wealthy man. He held grave superstitions towards Catholics and secret orders, and was a very close observer of heavenly bodies being able to foretell the weather by the position of the moon and planets.
He never married and, having no brothers or sisters living, the estate will go to the nieces and nephews, most of whom are unknown in this vicinity.
Funeral services were held at the old Lusk Chapel, near his home, Sunday forenoon, Rev. C. H. Law of Bloomingdale, officiating, and was said to be the largest funeral ever held in that vicinity. Interment was made in the Lusk private cemetery. – thanks to s & e
Source: New Richmond Record 25 March 1915 p 1
John Lusk, the hermit of Turkey Run, died from an attack of pneumonia Friday morning at his home at the “Narrows” on Sugar Creek. The funeral occurred Sunday morning. Mr. Lusk was a bachelor and a most eccentric, man. He lived alone in his brick home overlooking the “Narrows.” He was possessed of much of this world’s good, his home farm comprising a tract of 1200 acres of land along both sides of Sugar Creek in that part of Parke county. On this tract was some very valuable timber land, and in the tract was also the Turkey Run summer resort which Mr. Lusk had leased to other parties and which is a popular camping ground for crowds all during the summer. Mr. Lusk was eccentric. He lived in squalor and his house was a bedlam of relics. Ox yokes and old fashioned cord beds are mixed promiscuously through the house and no one may say which is the kitchen or which the guest chamber. Scythes, spinning wheels reap hooks, all kinds of cooperage litter the premises, indicating that John was no housekeeper. His vast property interests will go to the descendants of the hermit’s brothers and sisters, the latter having all passed away. Mr. Lusk was 76 years old. - kz