Highwayman leaves impression on local women

By BETH MOLAND

News-Gazette reporter

While traveling on St. Rd. 27 North near Deerfield Tuesday, Lisa Bothast and Lea Suttles saw a man resembling Jesus Christ walking along the side of the road. At least, that was their first impression when approaching him from behind with his long hair, long robe, knapsacks, and a staff with a cross on top.

“That was our first opinion and we about wrecked,” Bothast said.

The women slowed down to speak to the stranger, but he did not respond to their questions.

“We were so dumbfounded we decided to go home, get a camera and went back,” she said.

After driving all the way to Union City, switching vehicles, grabbing a camera and returning to the highway, they found the mystery man had traveled south of Deerfield.

Bothast said she tried to speak to the traveler again and, at first, he still kept quiet. After driving ahead of him to the old Jefferson School, they stopped again.

“I said, ‘Sir, would you like a ride?' and he said, ‘You're an answer to my prayers,” she recalled.

He told the ladies he wanted to go to the Winchester Library, so they obliged him and then he shared his story. He said his name was Pioneer George. He was from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, works off the land and camps out as he travels.

“He explained to us he walks every summer and he has walked a total of 38,000 miles ,” Bothast said. “He said he has been all over the world, like, Jerusalem, Russia and Pakistan were some of the places.”

Her friend was mutually impressed with the county visitor and worried about him as he continued his journey.

“He was a real sweetheart,” Suttles said. “I hope people won't be afraid to pick him up and offer him a ride because he was the kindest person. He said he was praying for someone to pick him up.”

After arriving at the community library, George graciously stood for photos with the women and told them he would be praying for them and appreciated their prayers for him. He asked for directions to State Road 32 West and then State Road 1, as he was headed to Redding, Indiana.

Inside the library, worker Lisa Gardt helped the stranger, who she thought looked like Johnny Appleseed, get on the computer. Only, she remembered his name as Pioneer John.

“I saw his passport because I needed it for I.D. to use the computer,” Gardt said. “He didn't want me to keep it, though, for fear he would forget it and it was the only identification he had.”

Gardt, too, was baffled by the visitor and his strange old-world look, but she did notice he wore Birkenstock sandals with wool socks.

Whether the pioneer-looking man was George or John, he sure made a statement just by his appearance. But for Bothast and Suttles, he left a more lasting revelation.

“I'm still stumped, but Lisa has this sound that her car makes, like a ‘clunk',” Suttles said. “It didn't do it the entire time he was in the car and as soon as we dropped him off, it did it again.”

Bothast also confirmed she was enlightened by the encounter.

“It's been the highlight of my day and I know I will remember this the rest of my life,” she said.