River Dave – updates

New Hampshire hermit Dave Lidstone is in trouble, again. He had been evicted last August from the wooded acreage where he squatted in a cabin, and during his night in jail the cabin mysteriously burned down. But an outer building, a shed, did survive, and when let out of jail Dave made his way back to the property and took up residence in the shed. He was arrested again last December and was scheduled to appear in court in March but did not. So, he’s in trouble again. The judge issued a warrent for his arrest.

URL: https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2022-03-07/river-dave-a-no-show-in-court-on-trespassing-charge

River Dave trust dissolves: https://news.yahoo.com/river-dave-trust-dissolves-hermit-080700938.html

“River Dave,” NH hermit – Update

Among the many news sources covering this update to the life of hermit Dave Lidstone of New Hampshire is this update from WCVB television in Boston; the story title: “Former hermit ‘River Dave’ arrested after returning to live at New Hampshire cabin site.”

When Dave was first arrested for squatting on the land of a particular millionaire owner, he spent the night in jail, and in the meantime a hireling of the owner set about to disassemble Dave ‘s cabin. The hireling burned the cabin to the ground, supposedly an electrical accident. But a shed was spared, and eventiually Dave made his way back to the property and took up residence in the remnant shed. That return was discovered, Dave was arrested again, and the entire issue has returned to its original conflict. Meanwhile, old residents of the area, friends of Dave, continue to promise more permanent quarters for Dave come spring.

URL: https://www.wcvb.com/article/evicted-new-hampshire-hermit-river-dave-arrested-january-4-2022/38668845

New Hampshire hermit Murdock

An article in New Hampshire Magazine describes the Irish-born “hermit of Goat Island,” James Murdock. Murdock fled Ireland for political reasons, arriving in Boston and taking jobs on schooners up the North Atlantic coast, during which he identified Goat Island in New Hampshire as a potential squatting site. He lived there from 1903 to 1925. The author notes that Murdock’s daughter could not assert ownership. Little today remains of Murdock’s presence there.

URL: https://www.nhmagazine.com/the-hermit-of-goat-island/

David Lidstone, New Hampshire hermit

Multiple media sources report on a New Hampshire hermit living in a cabin in the woods. He has been forced to leave his dwelling and is jailed for violating zoning regulations. He represents a dilemma of the modern hermit: all nature and land is “owned” and not accessible legally for squatting or living, however isolated or undeveloped. On the day he appeared in court, the cabin burned down mysteriously, which supported the authorities’ goal of leaving David Lidstone without any resources. Initially, hermit Dave Lidstone indicated that he would not return to the hermit life. But subsequently, well-wishers have donated money, clothes, vacant properties, and food to him while he contemplates his future. The owner of the property holds over 800 acres in properties and has been seeking to evic t Lidstone for some years.

Coverage oof this story will continue.

URLs: Associated Press: https://bangordailynews.com/2021/08/04/news/new-england/after-decades-in-woods-new-hampshire-hermit-forced-from-his-cabin/ ; update: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/video/2021/aug/11/river-dave-81-says-he-wont-return-to-hermit-lifestyle-after-cabin-burns-down-video; Daily Mail: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9871885/Hermit-River-Dave-says-hes-happier-billionaires-release-jail.html; https://www.vnews.com/River-Dave-amid-remains-of-cabin-41971151

Hermit feature film: “Pig”

An oddly-themed feature film about a hermit (Nicholas Cage), once a chef, who has abandoned the city and lives alone in the wilderness, foraging for truffles with a companionable pig. The hermit sells the mushrooms to a swank restauranteur. The restauranteur abducts the pig, leading to the plot of the film, the unraveling of the drama of the search, with elements of crime and conflict. However, a lot of inside jokes and shots of luxury plates suggest irony if not satire, which requires viewing for evaluation. Trailer: https://youtu.be/-4nRpdONaAA