Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-07-29
DISINHERITING HIS son.

Strange ACTIONS ofan Eccentric Old Man.
Martin b. Waite, an eccentric character,
died two days ago at Center Cambridge,
Washington county, writes Troy, n. Y,
correspondent of the New York Times,
He was born near that hamlet, but went
west when young man. He married a
western woman but procured divorce
when their first and only child was 5 wears
of age. Waite returned to his native
place about thirty years ago. A few years
since, finding himself old and feeble,
he began to make preparations to will to
his two nephews securities worth $4,000
and his residence, if they would provide
him with home. The offer was accent
ed, but a disagreement soon occurred.
The old man returned to his residence, at
Center Cambridge, which was then occu-
pied by young man named Davenport
and his wife. To them he made the same
proposition that was made to his nephews
which was also accepted. One of his
greatest fears was that of being robbed
His wealth was scattered-some in banks
some in bonds and gold in his possession.
Last fall he settled down with Mr.. Daven-
port to spend the remainder of his days.
The bedroom which was assigned to him,
and in which he died, was remodeled into
ing from it into the kitchen was made of
heavy oak timber, three inches thick and
with bolts and bars. The only window
was a network of iron bars with pinch
cak shutter and portfolio through which
he might defend himself from an attack
by burglars. These bars were so arranged
that no one but himself and Mrs Daven-
port could remove them except by tear
ing down the castings. In his room were
constantly kept q brace of pistols and
rifle, and he never ventured out OF his
house without being armed with a couple
of seven-shooters. 1t was not uncommon
to see loaded revolver drop out of his
pocket as he climbed a fence. A short
time ago, Mr.. Waite while in White Creek
invited one of his nephews to come home
with him, remarking that perhaps they
could make "a raise" They drove to this
village, and entering his wagon house,
with the assistance of his nephew the old
man began digging in the dirt Reach
ing depth of four feet an iron kettle was
unearthed. From this he lifted off COW
er and drew forth $4,000 in gold, with the
remark he thought best to take it up be-
fore he died. What he did with the gold
no one appears to know. A few weeks
ago the old man ordered an expensive
monument and a metallic casket. He al
so had dug grave feet deep. On the
bottom was laid marble slab and the
sides and ends for three feet from the
bottom were marble with cemented joints.
On top of this and five feet from the sur
face was placed a heavy marble slab with
iron rigs in which to hook ropes or chains
to raise and lower the cover. After his re-
mains were placed in the lower receptacle
his order was to have workmen close the
massive cover, cement it, and fill up the
grave.
DR.. Ashton attended the subject of this
sketch during his fatal illness, and as the
aged man felt death approaching he sum-
moned Mr.. and Mrs. Davenport to his
bedside, and, appointing DR.. Ashton ex-
ecutor, he made his last will and tesla
ment bequeathing his all to the young
couple. The instructions Waite gave con-
corning his burial were carried out. His
son, whom he claimed never to have seen
Is alive, and relatives are trying to per-
suade him to contest the will.