One misty, moisty morning,
When cloudy was the weather,
I chanced to meet an old man clothed all in leather.
He began to compliment, and I began to grin,
How do you do, and how do you do?
And how do you do again?

Preston Notch to Higby Road–Meriden, Middlefield, Middletown. Connecticut. Peaceful.

Imagination can conjure up a fellow hiker from the past on this same trail; he is almost tangible. The leather he wears creaking a bit as he walks. There.

It’s been 10 years. The setting was The Friends of the Library bookstore at Meriden Public Library. Heard about the death of author and historian Dan DeLuca from a bookstore volunteer on a Saturday, a man who is also now gone–his friend (and kind person) Robert R. Muenchow.

“Dan W. DeLuca, 68, passed away on Wednesday, November 30, 2016 unexpectedly at home. He was a lifelong resident of Meriden, the son of Willard E. DeLuca and the late Shirley (Defelice) DeLuca. Born on April 24, 1948. Dan was an electronic teacher for H.C. Wilcox in Meriden and opened the satellite program for Lyman Hall High School in Wallingford. “Mr. D” enjoyed teaching and sharing his knowledge with his students for many years. Dan developed many interests, one of which was reproduction of historic buildings throughout Meriden. These painted reproductions were on display in local restaurants, banks, and at Meriden City Hall. Dan is a genealogist and a Meriden Connecticut Historian. He has had numerous historical articles published in newspapers throughout New England. With his knowledgeable doctors at Hartford Hospital, Dan was the recipient of a heart transplant in 1998. We were fortunate to have celebrated 18 years. After 20 years of his research, the book ‘The Old Leather Man’ was published by Wesleyan University in 2008. Words cannot express our grief in losing Dan. He LOVED LIFE and his FAMILY! He didn’t waste one minute. Doing for his family and friends was his Passion. He’s had so many experiences that made him who he is, that we aren’t able to document it all. Quite the conversationalist, historian, educator, etc. He had such a yearning to learn! As a young man Dan was owner of the Meriden Electrical Company and Meriden Alarm Service Co., a licensed projectionist at the Palace and Capitol Theaters, Meriden Center Cinema in Wallingford, the Twin Theatre in Middletown and Southington Drive In. During this time he also was working with the lighting crew at the Oakdale in Wallingford, CT handling the follow spotlighting for the stage performances. He spent time designing and building additions and decks. He truly enjoyed lending a helping hand to family and friends. Ask him anything and he’d either already know or would find out. The excitement of mastering new technology, as it appeared on the market, clearly showed. He couldn’t wait to share this knowledge with all of his family and friends. He wanted us all to enjoy the benefits. He is survived by his daughter Sheri DeLuca, grandson David Kroll, granddaughter Rachel Kroll, sister Judith Despres and her husband Donald Despres, nephew Scott Drespres and his wife Tracey, great niece Jessica, nephew Steven Despres and his wife Elise and also Missy Wrinn, her husband Michael and family. Predeceased by his son Dan W. DeLuca and brother Scott B. DeLuca.”

“Fascinating documentation of a mysterious figure” an over-size book lavishly illustrated. The author is gone, his dedicated work stands. (The images of the book’s back portion, existing artifacts? The Old Leatherman’s mitten, pipe, haversack, tobacco bag. More. The research is meticulous and the story told, fascinating.)

The Old Leather Man: Historical Accounts of a Connecticut and New York Legend by Dan W. DeLuca (Wesleyan University Press).

“In 1883, wearing a sixty-pound suit sewn from leather boot-tops, a wanderer known only as the Leather Man began to walk a 365 mile loop between the Connecticut and Hudson Rivers that he would complete every 34 days, for almost six years. His circuit took him through at least 41 towns in southwestern Connecticut and southeastern New York, sleeping in caves, accepting food from townspeople, and speaking only in grunts and gestures along the way. What remains of the mysterious Leather Man today are the news clippings and photographs taken by the first-hand witnesses of this captivating individual. The Old Leather Man gathers the best of the early newspaper accounts of the Leather Man, and includes maps of his route, historic photographs of his shelters, the houses he was known to stop at along his way, and of the Leather Man himself. This history tracks the footsteps of the Leather Man and unravels the myths surrounding the man who made Connecticut’s caves his home.

A fellow hiker/explorer sent a link one evening for a great site by Lee-Stuart Evans following the approximate route of the legendary “Old Leatherman”: A 43 Mile Loop round Connecticut and New York State following in the footsteps of the Old Leatherman who walked this route continuously every 34 days until 1889.

That led to much reading and viewing of videos included. Here is one.

His writing is deliciously vivid and fresh, too. “…the ‘full Evans experience’ from 3am to 6am while his children watched in horror as a man smelling like a dead badger ate eggs and gulped coffee with mad staring eyes in their kitchen.” —The Air Land and Sea website

(Hah!)

“In 1883 in Connecticut in the USA a man appeared with startling regularity between 41 towns in a loop that spanned 365 miles. Every 34 days he would appear at the same town. He did this for 6 years before dying on the 20th March 1889. He had first been seen in 1857 and in the earlier parts of his life was reported wandering as far north as Vermont and Canada.

“He is known simply as ‘The Leather Man‘ In my Fastest Known Time attempt I was looking to capture the ethos of his journey, based pragmatically around the caves and towns he visited and possible routes. Where possible I’ve tried to use trails that are marked, and where I have no other safe option I opted for roads between towns. In some situations I’ve used trails of outstanding beauty that travel between towns he visited but may have not actually traveled along. In my mind I wanted to create a route that could be defined and represented a challenge in the future for people to beat my time on, and do in sections as section hikers to enjoy. My route came out at 343 miles and I planned to do one more loop on the anniversary of his death starting and finishing at his grave in Ossinging in NY.

“Detailed information here: https://theairlandandsea.com/2019/02/the-old-leatherman-loop-fastest-known-time.html

and a separate review here of all the caves he used to use as shelters on the route here https://theairlandandsea.com/2019/04/the-old-leatherman-caves-guide.html

Link to a video of the views from a shoulder of Higby.

Back to walking east and downhill, the back side of the mountain from Preston Notch. Passing by a somewhat square depression–as Nature doesn’t favor right angles, this stands out–and thus, theories as to what stood here once upon a time. A cable and insulator hang down from a tree that is literally “eating” the man-made intrusion. Maybe this was once a place to shelter, live during haying seasons? The fertile land on the eastern side of Higby Mountain once was farmland. Now that land is sprouting housing developments with stunning views.

Stone ruins can tell a walker/hiker much if context is provided or sketched in or clues observed. The embedded-in-trees barbed wire fencing still exists–likely originally to keep livestock from wandering up the mountain or too far from lush pastures. Water runs through the landscape, handy for livestock out on pasture. A bridge half wild–logs and sturdy branches used in construction along with conventional lumber very attraction and functional.

Pair this fabulous book with The Old Leatherman volume and you’ve got a conversation with legs, so to speak–from the past to endlessly explore.

As a writer fueled by curiosity, go and find out is a way of life.

Hiking Ruins of Southern New England: A Guide to 40 Sites in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island by Nick Bellantoni and Barbara Ann Kipfer (Falcon Guides 2024).

After an outing, page through intertwined history, archaeology, parks, preserves, land trust holdings–and human stories too. The authors (how fortunate readers are to have their combined knowledge shared. Let’s all hope this is a first in a series.)

“During our careers, we have spent a lot of time hiking wooded areas and identifying archaeological sites often comprised of stone ruins throughout southern New England. Yet, we hadn’t seen all that these states offer for the interested hiker. As a result, we are indebted to experienced trekkers throughout the region who have come upon stone ruins in their journeys and have assisted us in compiling this book.”

Nick Bellantoni, PhD, is emeritus Connecticut State Archaeologist and an adjunct associate research professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Connecticut. He served as state archaeologist with the Connecticut State Museum of Natural History at the University of Connecticut. He earned his BA in anthropology at the Central Connecticut State College in 1976 and his doctorate in anthropology from UConn in 1987, shortly thereafter appointed state archaeologist. He retired from that position in 2014.

Bellantoni is co-editor of In Remembrance: Archaeology and Death, and he has also contributed to journals such as the Journal of Forensic Science, Journal of Archaeological Science, and American Journal of Physical Anthropology. He most recently has authored The Long Journeys Home: The Repatriations of Henry ‘Opukaha’ia and Albert Afraid of Hawk and “And So the Tomb Remained”: Exploring Archaeology and Forensic Science within Connecticut’s Historical Family Mausolea. He has been excavating in Connecticut for 40 years.

Barbara Ann Kipfer, PHD, is the author of nearly 70 books, including: Hiking Is Fundamental (FalconGuides), Archaeologist’s Fieldwork Guide 2nd Edition, Encyclopedic Dictionary of Archaeology Second Edition, 14,000 Things to Be Happy About, Natural Meditation, and 1,001 Ways to Live Wild.

Dr. Kipfer holds a PhD in archaeology (Greenwich University), BS in physical education (Valparaiso University), PhD and MPhil in linguistics (University of Exeter), and MA and PhD in Buddhist studies (Akamai University). She is a registered professional archaeologist. Visit her at https://www.thingstobehappy about.com.

Found this volume in the new books nonfiction section at a public library. By the way, did you know your Connecticut library card works at libraries across the state? A library card is free. (Some libraries may require the user to show identification information and verify current address.)

“Cat Den Quarry. These may indicate the presence of a larger burying ground, incorporating Native American and African American traditions.”

Oh, this book covers three states, too. Here’s one on my must-see list (from the book):

28. Natchaug State Forest, Ashford Woods: “…There are a variety of stone ruins, including house foundations, a quarry, and burying grounds. What makes these stone features distinctive is that they represent a 19th-­ century African and Native American community, providing a rare glimpse of disenfranchised peoples often underrepresented in the historical record.”

“Extensive research into these families by local historian Donna Dufresne has demonstrated that the Websters and Lamberts were descendants of enslaved people on the Jonathan Randall farm in Pomfret, CT, originating through the marriage of Waity Brooks (Nipmuc/Narragansett) and Rueben Randall, born enslaved on the Randall estate in 1777. Family genealogy states that Websters were also members of the Nipmuc Tribe, an
identity sustained in their daily lifestyles.”

Having attended the annual gathering for Venture Smith (that story, linked here), learning more is ahead. The Witness Stones project is also of interest.

Bellantoni is the author of The Long Journeys Home: The Repatriations of Henry ‘Opukaha‘ia and Albert Afraid of Hawk; Series: The Driftless Connecticut Series & Garnet Books (Wesleyan University Press).

Along the way.

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— Moo Dog Press (@moodogpress.com) April 28, 2026 at 2:49 PM

Editor’s note: Portions of this story have previously appeared in the original book review(s) at an earlier date. In the works: Roy Wilcox and a search for the movie he made of his meadows and field. More about Highland Golf Course, bunkers and walking the old course to learn more.

When asked what she wanted her legacy to be, she said: “That I hung in there. That I didn’t say, I can’t.”

Dorothy West

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— Moo Dog Press (@moodogpress.com) April 17, 2026 at 9:55 AM