Hotz and the Hermit

Amy Hotz's December 28th column in the Wilmington (NC) Star-News "A Hermit's Walk at Fort Fisher."

This last Sunday, Star-News reporter Amy Hotz decided to take a walk. She said she decided against Carolina Beach State Park because a police investigation was going on involving a death that took place there recently. So, she drove a bit farther to the Fort Fisher State Recreation Area where she is still upset that people now have to drive on the beach.

So, she walked the Basin Trail. After eight-tenths of a mile she reached the World War II bunker that used to house the Fort Fisher Hermit, Robert E. Harrill.

She looked into the bunker and remembered a story told by her dad. One winter day he had taken Harrill for a ride to the Hardee's and bought him a meal. They had a normal, polite conversation during the meal. However, her dad emphasized that he had to roll the windows down despite the cold because of the Hermit's bad smell.

I remember my Dad taking my brother and me to see the Hermit several times. That old guy really scared me, but his stories were interesting. Plus, he always had something sitting out to collect donations which he often checked.

Quite a Character, That Old Man. --Old B-Runner