‘River Dave,’ banned from New Hampshire site, moves to Maine

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A hermit generally known as River Dave — whose cabin within the New Hampshire woods burned down after he had spent almost three many years on the property and was ordered to depart — has discovered a brand new dwelling in Maine.

David Lidstone, 82, has put in home windows and is engaged on putting in a chimney on his rustic three-room cabin, which he mentioned is on land he purchased.

“The inspiration wants restore work,” Lidstone, who obtained greater than $200,000 in donations following the hearth, mentioned in a telephone interview on Monday. “It’s simply an previous camp, however I take pleasure in working (on it).”

Lidstone, who grew up in Maine, declined to say the place he was residing or present a contact for the landowner. A search of Maine county registers of deeds didn’t present any current transactions involving Lidstone, however a cousin confirmed that he had moved to Maine, and a Fb submit had pictures of Lidstone with a member of the family in his new dwelling.

“He’s engaged on placing it collectively, and clearing land, and planting gardens, and he’s obtained some chickens. He’s shifting on,” mentioned Horace Clark, of Vermont, Lidstone’s cousin.

Lidstone mentioned he needed to go away Canterbury, New Hampshire, over his dispute with a special landowner since 2016 over a patch of forest close to the Merrimack River that Lidstone referred to as dwelling for 27 years. A choose issued an injunction in 2017 for him to depart after the landowner, Leonard Giles, sued him, and one other choose just lately dominated Lidstone would obtain a $500-a-day high-quality if he didn’t transfer.

There have been many delays within the case. Moreover the pandemic, Lidstone didn’t all the time present up for courtroom, and he was out and in of jail as he resisted the injunction.

It additionally was troublesome to serve Lidstone with a discover to seem in courtroom. There’s no highway entry to the property, which is a couple of mile and a half (2.4 kilometers) into the woods. In January, one course of server slipped, fell down an embankment and injured his leg in his try to succeed in Lidstone, in response to a movement filed by Giles’ lawyer.

In March, a choose mentioned Lidstone would face the every day high-quality if he didn’t go away the realm by April 11. The choose dominated Lidstone additionally has to pay a few of Giles’ authorized charges. Individually, Lidstone faces trespassing fees in reference to the property.

Giles, 87, of South Burlington, Vermont, died in July. It wasn’t instantly clear if his loss of life modifications the standing of the case. His lawyer didn’t reply to a request for remark.

Lidstone mentioned he was unhappy to listen to that Giles died. “I had nothing in opposition to the previous man,” he mentioned.

However he appears to be embracing his new life.

“I’ve obtained all types of buddies up right here,” he mentioned. “I’ve had buddies each weekend, all summer time.”

Final August, whereas Lidstone was in jail over the property dispute, his cabin, which had photo voltaic panels, burned down because it was being dismantled at Giles’ request. The native fireplace chief mentioned the hearth was unintended.

Lidstone agreed to gather his remaining possessions. He had secured momentary housing as he discovered the place to stay subsequent — he had affords — and believed that he couldn’t return to being a hermit. However late final yr, he returned to stay in a shed on the property that had survived the hearth, prompting extra authorized motion.

“Typically, it’s important to get up for what is correct,” he mentioned in January.

Courtroom information mentioned the undeveloped property has been within the Giles household since 1963 and is used for timber harvests.

Lidstone, who represented himself in courtroom, had claimed that years in the past, the present proprietor’s father gave his phrase — however nothing in writing — permitting him to stay there. He additionally disputed whether or not he was on the property within the first place.