The Hermit of Hathershelf

On Friday last, a man was discovered in a cave at Hathershelf near Mytholmroyd, in the Parish of Halifax, in the following manner: — A young man, who was seeking, for foxes, among the rocks, with a terrier dog, happened to go near the mouth of the cave, when the dog began a barking, which on his continuing to do, made the youth suspect he had some game, and accordingly he advanced to the cave's mouth, when to his no small astonishment, a man presented a pistol to his breast, charging him to be silent or he would blow his brains out; the youth promised him anything to get away, which he had no sooner done than he alarmed the neighbourhood, who presently secured the villain. — there was found in the cave several chickens and hens, which he had stolen from the neighbourhood, one surplus, and part of another, (which it is supposed were stolen out of Rochdale Church) and a loaded pistol. — He had a bed and a fire in the cave. — His name is Tattersall, says he was born in Sowerby, and that he had lived but three days in the cave, tho' he has been missing from his friends upwards of twelve year

Tattersall, the person mentioned lately to have been apprehended in a cave near Blackstone Edge, was last week committed to Lancaster Castle, charged on Oath with having broke open th Church at Rochdale; as also a House in Todmorden, a few days ago. Tattersall left Sowerby (the place where he was born) about 13 years ago, for fear of being discovered, as he had broken open the Church at Heptonstall, and stolen the Communion Plate from thence. Since that he has served in the Artillery Service in the East-Indies. Upon his Examination before the Justice he gave a strange account of his Way of Life. He has been connected with Money-makers and Venders &c