David Lidstone, who recently turned 82, did not show up to a contempt hearing in his tug-of war with a Vermont landowner, over a patch forest near the Merrimack river. This is the same area he called home for 27-years before his cabin was destroyed in an accident fire.
A judge interpreted Lidstone’s refusal to appear at hearings after he was arrested as a “seemingly deliberate” move. He also imposed costs to pay some of the landowner’s expenses. If Lidstone doesn’t leave the woodlot before April 11, he would be subject to a $500 per day fine.
Jodie Gedeon, a kayaker who was friends with Lidstone many years ago, said that “I don’t know why he missed it.” Lidstone was reached by phone.
In 2017, a judge issued an order for River Dave — Lidstone’s nickname — to leave Leonard Giles, the landowner. However, there were delays in the case. Lidstone has not always been present for court, and he’s been in jail while he refused to comply with the injunction.
According to court records, the property is undeveloped and has been owned by the Giles family since 1963. It is currently used for timber harvests. Lidstone claimed that the property’s current owner gave his permission to Lidstone years ago. However, he did not give any documentation. He has also disputed his ownership of the property.
Judge Andrew Schulman stated Thursday that he felt sympathy for Mr. Lidstone, but it was what it was.
Lisa Snow Wade, Giles’ attorney, replied, “I see it from a new perspective. He is an 86-year old veteran who has been through all of this. He’s not so lucky emotionally or financially,” she said.
Snow Wade suggested that Lidstone be punished financially, stating that he was not likely to change his behavior if he is sentenced.
Lidstone said earlier this month to The Associated Press, “I know my days here are numbered here,” a day following his arrest and pleaded not guilty for a trespassingcharge. “Eventually, I’m going have to move.”
Lidstone was a friend to kayakers and a champion for keeping the river clean. He wasn’t sure where he’d go next, despite having offers of other places and receiving more than $200,000 in donations.
A leader of a group which has organized fundraisers for Lidstone stated on the “Help local legend David Lidstone River Dave” Facebook page that the page would be removed and that the group had done all it could for him.
Darrin Apichell wrote that Dave has the resources to secure a place in the future and has a large support group nearby to help him when he is down.
Lidstone is a logger by trade and was accused of living in a cabin built from logs on his Canterbury land. Two-level wooden A-frame cabin featured solar panels and a small, messy kitchen that had pots hanging from its ceiling. There were curtains at the windows. A footstool was built from stacked beer cans and was placed on his porch. He turned a wood stove into an insect house. He added lights, mirrors and a pulley to make a clothesline from logs that supported the cabin. He also owned a vegetable garden.
While Lidstone was still in prison for the property dispute, his cabin was set on fire in August while it was being demolished at Giles’ request. According to the Canterbury fire chief, the fire was accidental.
Lidstone, who had been representing himself, was told to take his possessions with him and leave. There was a flood of support. He was unsure if he could return to hermit, so he lived with some friends. He had made a shelter out of a shed that survived the fire, and equipped it with a solar panel, and a wood stove.
Schulman stated that Lidstone was granted permission to hire a surveyor last year in order to have “peace of thought.” However, he has not been able to find anyone to help him.
It was difficult to serve Lidstone with the notice to appear before court. The property is located about a mile and a half (2.4 km) from the road. According to Snow Wade’s motion, in January, a process server fell down an embankment and hurt his leg while trying to reach Lidstone at Woodshed.
“Mr. “Mr. He returned to Mr. Giles’ land repeatedly, but that does not excuse him.
