Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1885-07-15
PREDICTING HIS DEATH.
A Wealthy Farmer Stakes Out His Grave,
Gets Measured for Coffin, Makes His
VIII and Dies as he Predicted


Wealthy Farmer Stakes Out His Grave,
Gets Measured for a Coffin, Makes His
VIII and Dies as he Predicted
[From the Jersey City News
A very peculiar case in which a. nre-
monition of death was fulfilled is the
topic of conversation in the vicinity
of Nyack and Rockland Lake. It is
remarkable. from thefact that then
who foretold thehour of his death was
known by everybody for miles around.
He was awealthy farmer and an official
in the Methodist Church at Rockland
Lake. His name was John RYDER,
and he lived at Valley Cottage. a
small station on the West Shore Rail
road half way between Nyack and
Rockland Lake. The death occurred
June IL.
John Ryder, or as he was better
known throughout Rockland County,
"Pop" Ryder, was 76 years old and
was hale and hearty man who had
always enjoyed remarkably good
health. The farm he owned was
known as Valley Cottage, and when
the railroad cut through his farm and
the company built the station oppo-
site his house it took that name. He
owned and worked his large farm up
to few weeks ago, when he quit
heavy work, not because he was i'll,
but owing to a feeling that he would
soon die and that he should make all
necessary preparations.
He left the working of his land to
his farm hands, and an unusual thing
for him to do, loitered about the ver-
anda OF his house, watching the COM
ing and going of the trains.
To his neighbors and friends he said
he was tired out, and that he would
live but very short time. He would
give them the exact date little later.
This for q time was his chief topic Of
conversation. He spoke without any
fear of death, and his manner was
that of a man who had worked hard
and was ready to die that he might
rest.
On Tuesday, June 9, he said that he
would live but two days longer; and
ordered one of his farm hands to har-
ness a horse to q wagon and drive
him to the little buryinggroundn near by
that is owned by few of the old fami-
lies living in the neighborhood. Ar
rived at the graveyard Mr.. Ryder took
four stakes and marked out the spot
he wanted to be buried in. He then
drove home and sent to Nyack for an
undertaken to measure him for COT
fin, and for q lawyer to draw up his
will.
The undertaken came and jokinging-
ly measured the old man. He we s
surprised, however, when Mr.. Ryder
asked for his bill and wanted to pay
all his funeral expenses in advance.
This he insisted upon, and the money
was paid. The lawyer sent word that
be would come the next day.
Mr.. Ryder sent the messenger back
to say to the lawyer that if he did not
come Immediately he need not come
at all. The lawyer returned with the
messenger. After the will had been
drawn up, in which he evenly divided
his property among his children and
grandchildren, he invited the lawyer,
who was an old family friend, to come
to his funeral and act as pail bearer
Thelawyer laughingIy assented to this
proposition, thinking it was but a.
whim of his old client. He then
named the other three pall-bearers,
all well-known about Nyack, to assist
the lawyer. In the presence of his
family and the lawyer old "Pop" Ry-
der gave minute instructions as to the
manner in which his obseQuies were to
be performed, and what disposition
was to be made of certain personal
articles, and also leaving messages for
his personal friends.
On the following day Mr. Ryder sat
In his old armchair on the veranda
most of the time. During the previous
night he got up several times and the
family heard him walking through the
house. In the morning heresumed his
place in the armchair and appeared to
be in his usual health.
Toward noon he called his family
around him, and saying, "Now Pm
agoing; good bye ALL" he laid back in
his chair, closed his eyes, drew one
long breath and before the family
could realize it, was dead.
These facts have become known in
Rockland Lake and at Nyack, and
have given rise to much talk. The
story is vouched for by many promin-
ent residents of that vicinity. One of
Mr.. Ryder's sons, who is about forty
years of age, is in business in New
York. Mr.. Ryder's funeral on Satur-
day was one of the largest ever held
at Rockland Lake.