The press were happy to report when the gypsies and their rubbish were removed from Hainault Forest. However, they usually took a more sympathetic view towards William Bell.

In 1903, the following appeared in Country Life: "The only squatter whom we could discover at the present time was an ancient herb doctor, who has cured himself of all his ills by twenty years of severe outdoor treatment, to say nothing of the effect produced by taking his own medicines. It was rather curious to find him and his two dogs living out in the open on what was certainly one of the coldest days of the month of December. But he says it would not be possible for him to now dwell within four walls, and he takes his daily walk as far as London without any discomfort. On being asked what diseases he pretended to cure, he replied rheumatism, indigestion, inflammation of the brain, and things of that kind. It is to be hoped that as the old man has passed the years allotted by the Psalmist†, the London County Council, or whatever body should take over the wood, will refrain from disturbing him." 

The authorities were less understanding and evicted Willaim Bell from the forest soon after.

†The Psalmist indicated that the typical duration of human life is seventy years (or threescore years and ten in earlier translations). He also observed that individuals with exceptional strength might live up to eighty years (fourscore). This duration is mentioned in Psalm 90:10, which is traditionally attributed to Moses.