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Show MAN'S BEARD CAUSE OF JEERS Wore Hirsute Adornment to Show His Independence. Among odd gravestones Is ono ln Leominster, Mass., which bears a portrait por-trait carved In marblo, and tho following fol-lowing Iscrlptlon: "Persecuted for wearing tho beard." These few words gavo but a faint clow to tho unlquo personality who had this unusual memorial of himself enisled on his monument. Joseph Palmer died ln Leominster, Cct 30, 1873, nt tho ago of 84. He Is rot mentioned ln tho town directory, iHH l mm Palmer's Tombstone. yet tradition has many Interesting ctorlos to tell of him. It Is said that ho gloried ln espousing espous-ing tho unpopular sldo ln any controversy contro-versy and posing ns a martyr. Early In tho 19th century It was fashlonnblo for men to go smooth shaven, so Joseph Palmor determined lo wear a beard, not becauso of Its Leauty, but to assert his right to bo contrary If ho wanted to be. Men and boys used to Jeor at him, much to his gratification. Onco a crowd of young fellows fiolzcd hlra ln a hotel In Fltchburg and rtarted to cut off his beard. Ho at fnckod his persecutors with a' klfo and 'ounded ouoiOtjthem.jEottUlBideedi ho wtis BumrajBnrttnto)TcourtTI5titiltfwi ilver afterward felt hlmsolt a much persecuted man for conscience's sake. J According to ono of tho older residents resi-dents of Lcomlnstor, Mr. Palmer was much Interested ln tho transcendental transcendent-al philosophy founded by Amos Branson Bran-son Alcott, father of Loulso May Al-cott, Al-cott, tho well known writer of stories for children. It Is said that Mr. Palmer Pal-mer contributed toward tho purchaso of Brook farm, and, when tho community com-munity enmo to nn end, tho property passed Into Mr. Palmer's possession. |
