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Richard Arthur (Dicky Nine Lives), Redruth. Before 1893
Royal Cornwall Museum Photo Prints and Wall Art
Richard Arthur (Dicky Nine Lives), Redruth. Before 1893
A studio portrait photograph of Richard Arthur as an older man, seated, with a bushy beard and unkempt hair. Richard Arthur was better known as Dicky Nine Lives, after falling down the inside of Pednandrea mine stack and surviving. He died in Penzance in June 1893, at the age of around 70. A report from Redruth in the Royal Cornwall Gazette on Thursday 15th June 1893 states: News has reached here from Penzance of the death of the well known character, Richard Arthur, generally known as " Dickey Nine Lives" by reason of numerous hairbreadth escapes, chief among which was a fall down the inside of Pednandrea stack. This wonderful man was well known to almost every person within a radius of 15 miles, and his marvellous exploits have formed the topic of many a Cornish yarn. With no settled residence or means of sustenance, he managed to exist with the occasional comfort of a " bit of bacca." When sometime ago it was rumoured that Dickey had suddenly inherited a large fortune, he was immediately addressed as Mr. Arthur, and for some reason consented to have his " picture taken" by a local photographer. This photo when exhibited caused considerable amusement, Dickey being taken in his usual attire. The fortune eventually turned out to be a hoax. It would hardly be possible to find in Cornwall a person whose life has to abounded in comical incidents, and a sharp literary aspirant would win immediate popularity by publishing a life of Dickey Nine Lives. Photographer: James Chenhalls
TRURI : 2009.1.4
Media ID 19593925
© From the collection of the RIC
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