mathematics, in which science, although self-taught, he was probably without an equal in the State, all the higher branches of the study having been completely mastered by this modest student in his log cabin during the long nights of our northern winters. His self-control was perfect and permitted no personal weaknesses or small vices, such as are generally considered quite pardonable. He was in his eating, drinking and speaking strictly temperate, and his private life was free from the slightest suspicion of any impurity. Having lived a large portion of his life among the Winnebago Indians, he was known by nearly all of them, and considered by them to be one of the best men who ever lived. This is not strange, for Mr. Haney never intentionally injured any human being. So sincere was his regard for others, and so strongly did he believe in the equality of all men, that every one who chanced to be at his home was compelled to sit with him at the table, whether negro, Indian or wandering trapper. He was an abolitionist of the blackest kind, and one of the strongest of Union men during the rebellion. He might have attained to high official position had he chosen to do so, but he preferred to do his duty as he saw it in the humble, unobserved walks of life. What would gratify him most, were he living, to have written of him, what he desired to be when living, more than all else, and what those who knew him well knew him to be, is best expressed in the simple statement, he was an honest man. 99 "WILD JIM.'

One of the early settlers in the vicinity of Lansing was "Wild Jim," a most peculiar person who lived for many yerrs on the islands near town, engaged in fishing, hunting and trapping. He lived alone, never holding communication with anyone except when actually necessary. In 1869 an item was published in the Lansing Chronicle descriptive of his peculiar habits and hermitlike life, which found its way into the New York papers, there attracting the attention of the mysterious man's friends who corresponded with the postmaster in Lansing concerning him, from whom it was learned that his name was James Kinten; that he was from Herkimer county, N. Y., where a brother and sister then resided, highly respected and wealthy. They reported that his father had died some ten years before, leaving quite a sum of money to the missing son James, who had been supposed to be dead, as nothing had been heard from him for years. About this time the sister wrote the hermit but it is not known whether he ever replied. In April, 1870, he was found lying sick, helpless and alone in his cabin on the island, the rising water being three feet deep upon the floor. He was brought to Lansing where he died on the 7th of April, 1870. Countless romantic stories were related of this strange being, many reasons suggested for his unusual conduct, but the secret of his wild life died with him. It was supposed by many that he had accumulated considerable wealth, but if any was ever found the finder never revealed the fact.

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