New Mexico hermit

The story of the Italian-born hermit Agostini-Justiniani (1800-69) is related on several pages. He emigrated to the New World as a young man. Agostini walked throughout the U.S. West and into Central and South America, settling in New Mexico in the 1860’s. He lived as a hermit in a mountain cave (“La Cueva”) in Dona Ana County, known for his herbal healing skills and his ascetic life. Agostini-Justiniani was murdered, probably by bandits. The inscription on his gravesite reads (in Spanish): “John Mary Justiniani, Hermit of the Old and New World. He died the 17th of April, 1869, at 69 years and 49 years a hermit.” URLs: http://www.rozylowicz.com/retirement/drippingsprings/dripping.html#hermit and CategoriesUnited States