"Hub VanDusen Found Dying in Lonely Shack
One of Last Survivors of Ithaca's Squatter Settlement Succumbs at 75.
Was Character in Famous Book – Funeral Held Tomorrow
Found unconscious at his lonely shack in the rear of 622 Cascadilla Street yesterday afternoon by Mrs. Clara Townsend, investigator from the Old Age Security office, Herbert (Hub) VanDusen, 75, one of the last surviving residents of Ithaca's famous squatter settlement, was taken to the Tompkins County Memorial Hospital where he died shortly after 6 o'clock last evening. He had suffered a shock.
For many years Mr. VanDusen lived in a lonely fishing shack along the Taughannock Boulevard near the southwest corner of the lake. He was one of the characters in Grace Miller White's novel, "Tess of the Storm Country."
During his many years there, he eked out an existence by selling horseradish, gathering roots in the spring and early summer to make up a large supply which he peddled from house to house.
When the city broke up the squatter settlement several years ago, Mr. VanDusen built a shack near the Inlet in the rear of Cascadilla Street.
Mr. VanDusen had not been seen about for the last few days and Mrs. Townsend investigated. The door was locked. Patrolman Edward Moore broke down the door.
The body was removed to the Crance Undertaking parlors, 102 South Geneva Street, where funeral services will be held at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon. Charles Van Buren of the Beebe Community Chapel will officiate. He leaves no relatives."