Terrible Old Man, TheA resident of Kingsport, known only as the Terrible Old Man, he was a ex-sea captain who lived on Water Street (the house backs onto Ship Street). He had a grey beard, walked with a knotted cane, and had strange yellow eyes. He was generally
avoided (except by Olney, who liked his tales). He was, though, dangerous to intruders. His yard was scattered with a collection of stones pained like South Seas idols and he kept a collection of bottles in which were pieces of lead suspended by
strings. He was heard talking to these bottles, each of which had a name such as Jack, Scar-Face, Long Tom, Spanish Joe, Peters and Mate Ellis. The bottles seemed to answer back by means of strange vibrations.[The Terrible Old Man," "The Strange High House in the Mist - H.P.L.]