The Portland daily press., 1886-12-04

An Eccentric Farmer Who RevenRed
Himself on the Authorities OF
Augusta.
Fairfield Journal.


A couple Of years ago Edward Wyman. a
citizen of vassalboro, died intestate. leaving
q property Of $4,000. Much Of Wyman's
property was deposited in an Augusta bank,
in the name of his brother Nathaniel. Now,
when the heirs come to make their settle
ment, Nathaniel stoutly clings to these de-
posits, claiming that they were presents
made to him by his brother. The other heirs
have filed objections in q suit Of equity. The
big fight that will probably ensue will doubt
less cause people TO be interested In the
queer history OF the man over whose proper
ty this fuss occurs.
For years ne was spoken of as the eccen-
trio man of the section. His whims and
pranks were the topic of many good story,
and his appearance was signal Tor an I'M
mediate rush to the windows by the people
along his route.
Many years ago, Wyman made a visit to
the city Of Augusta in his old-fashioned
pung, and while driving down Water street,
was arrested by the city marshal for having
no bells on his equipage. When fined by the
that he would get even with the city IF II
took leg"
The next time he appeared In the streets
Of Augusta, he most certainly created fu-
rore which made his name memorable In the
annals of that city. The signal Of his ap-
prOach was a tremendous tinkle and clang
as IL Santa Claus had arrived in force.
Small boys gathered, and horses hitched at
the curb made strenuous efforts to diSperse.
The old gentleman had resolved never again
to enrich the city government by careless
ness in keeping up an assortment OF bells.
From every available source In his towr he
had made levies of bells. High and low had
| he searched for the most ancient as well as
| the most modern style Of bell, and he had
| arranged these fruits Of vigilance
and untiring diligence in the most
| startling combinations OF bells that
| Mammoth brazen junks of metal ding-dOnged
sonorously from the thills-little silver plat
| ed tinklers danced from the bride and bells
| Of intermediate size and of every conceivable
/ variety hung from every spare space
ON sleigh and harness. The horse really stag
| gered under his load.
The old gentleman did not cease here, but
soon became curiosity Of most pron0unc-
ed type and his attire startled and amazed
| the observer. Five years ago Buffalo Bill
| paraded the streets Of Augusta with his
| wild West Show" and Wyman helped him
| out by appearing IN the procession as one OF
the curiOsties, and he looked like this. His
horse was tall gaunt beast and was loaded
with the usual assortment Of bells. The
sleigh was very narrow and the back reach
ed to ones shoulders when seated. The old
gentleman when buried nearly out OF sight
In this equipage was most certainly rarity
He wore a bear-skin cap that lowered above
any drum-major's beaver ever constructed
and in its peak were inserted many gaudilJ
colored feathers. His coat was made OF SOUR
rel skins with tails dangling-mammOtl
wolf skin gloves reached to his shoulders anC
a welf-skin robe filed the remaining space
in the sleigh. Buffalo Bill certainly eOul(
not nnd fault with this phenomenon for Ii
drawing qualities.