Death of 'Caveman' ends an era in Idaho

[proteus_lives]

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2010/04/23/1164899/death-of-caveman-ends-an-era-in.html

"Known as the "Salmon River Caveman," Richard Zimmerman lived an essentially 19th century lifestyle, a digital-age anachronism who never owned a telephone or a television and lived almost entirely off the land."

"He was the last of Idaho's river-canyon loners that date back to Territorial days. They are a unique group that until the 1980s included canyon contemporaries with names like Beaver Dick, Cougar Dave and Wheelbarrow Annie, "Buckskin Bill" (real name Sylvan Hart) and "Free Press Frances" Wisner. Fiercely independent loners, they lived eccentric lives on their own terms and made the state more interesting just by being here."

"Born in Indiana in 1916, Zimmerman grew up on farms in Indiana and Michigan, the son of a moonshiner with a mean streak. He rebelled against his domineering father and ran away at a young age, riding the rails west and learning the hobo songs he later would play on a battered guitar for guests at his caves.

He punched cows and worked as a farmhand, settling in Idaho's Lemhi Valley in 1937 and making ends meet by cutting firewood and herding sheep. In 1942, he joined the Army and served as a truck driver in the Pacific during World War II. When his service ended, he returned to Idaho and never left."

Wow, what an interesting guy. RIP and Godspeed Mr. Zimmerman.

[IADEMO2004]

1. Tha was just the right thing to read before going to bed. Thank you. nt

[Cleita]

2. I kinda liked these

throwbacks to another age when I lived in Idaho. DH and I camped by the Salmon river for several weeks one summer while he fished. We had nothing but what we brought and were able to pump water from a well, with an old fashioned pump. It was heavenly with the Sawtooth Mountains in the distance. I can see why some would like to make a lifetime out of it and I met a few of these "mountain men" who still existed.

[proteus_lives]

4. Sounds nice.

And peaceful. Those experiences are to be cherished.

[villager]

3. thanks for posting...

Here's to an *actual* individual, and not the faux media-generated kind!

[dbt]

5. Another piece of America gone

K & R

[AwakeAtLast]

6. Oh, I hope someone collected his songs

They would be a treasure. He sounds like a fascinating person! May he RIP.