The Wheeling Daily Intelligencer

A pension clerk in Washington City lives in a tree from choice and for sanitary purposes. Mr. Cleveland is up a tree, but for other reasons—and he will never come down.

WASHINGTON, D. C., August 2.—Washington is the only city in the country that can boast of a citizen who lives up a tree. Last October a Critic reporter discovered this high minded individual, and published the first account of his aerial abode. Since then he has moved up another tree, a larger one, and nearer the top. This denizen of the tree tops is a pension office clerk, named A. B. Hayward. He is a rather good-looking man of middle age and intelligent appearance, and wears a full beard; and dresses with good taste. He is pleasant, and treats his numerous visitors courteously, and takes pleasure in entertaining them, which is rather surprising to many who expect to find him a cross, crab-bed and exclusive person.

He does not go to extremes, however, and shows no signs of crankiness, except in his singular choice of a place to dwell. The tree is a very large walnut and stands near the top of the hill. The dwelling consists of a staunch platform, eighteen feet wide and thirty-five feet long, built around the trunk of the tree and supported by four heavy timbers. The platform is thirty-one feet from terra firma and in the center of this the little house is built. The upper portion is covered with canvas curtains, with wooden rollers in the bottom, which can be hoisted by means of ropes to any distance desired, and lowered so far as to preserve the occupant from rain or sunshine. It is reached by a closed staircase fitted up with hand-rail, which reaches nearly to the ground. The ascent of the first six feet is made by a step-ladder, which can be drawn up and placed on the first landing or platform, and the door closed and locked.

He gives several reasons for living in such a place. He says it is desirable for sanitary purposes, and he enjoys the quiet and the beautiful scenery. His health is improved, and it is cheap.