Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1886-08-27
The Strange Proceedings OF al Escantrlc
Cd ia

4 dispatch from Troy, n. Y, says: Mar
fin b. Waits, an eccentric character died
two days ago at Center Cambridge, Wash
ington county. He was born near that
hamlet but went West when young
man. He married a Western woman, but
procured a divorce when their first and
only child was five years 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 rcsilerce,
if they would provide him with home.
The offer was accepted, but n disagree
ment soon occurred.
Tine old man returned to his residence
in Center Cambridge, which was then oc-
cupied by a yong man named Davenport
aud his wife. To them he made the same
proposition that was made TO his neph-
ews, which was also accepted. One Of
his greatest fears was that of being robbed.
His wealth was scatteTed-Some in banks
and some in bonds and gold IN bis possess
ion. Last fall he settled down wi h Mr..
Davenport to spcnd the remainder of his
days. Tho bedroom assigned to him, and
in which he died, was rcmodelld into O
-
from it into the kitchen was m9i., of
heavy oak timber, three inches thick, with
bars ard bolts, The only Window was n
network OF iron bars, with q twO-;nch oak
shutter and q portho,e through which he
might defend himself from an attack by
burglars These bars We're so arranged
that no one but himself and Mr. Daven-
port could remove them except by tearing
down the castings. In his room was
constantly kept brace of pistols and a
rife, and he never venturcd out CT his
house without being armed with a couple
of seven-shoo!ers, 1t was not uncommon
to see loaded revolver drop out OF his
pocket as he climbed fence.
A short time ago Mr.. Wait while in
White Creek, invited orc OF his nephews
to come home with him, rcmarking that
perhaps he G. I'D make ga raise" They
drove to this village, and entering his
wagon house, with the ass stance OF his
nephew, the Old man began digging in the
dirt. Reaching n depth Of four feet an
iron kettle was unea1thed. From this lie
lifted cover and drew forth So, 500 in
gold, with the remark that he thought
best to take it up before he died. What
lie did wi h the gold no one appears to
ordered an expensive monument and q
metallic casket. He also had dug grave
about s feet deep Ga the bottom was
| laid marble slab, and the sides and ends
for three feet from the bottom were mar
bic, with cemented joints. On top Of this
and five feet from the surface was placed
a heavy marble slab with iron rings in
which to hook rop,s or chains to raise and
| lower the coycr. After hi remains were
placed i'll the lower receptacle his order
was to have workmcn close the massive
! cover, cement it, and fill the grave.
| DR.. Ashton attended the Subject Of ;hs
| sketch during his fat al line, s. uId as tic
! aged man rya iICd death app oachi"g he
summoned Mr. ana Mrs. Nal export to l.ia
bedside, AID, appointing D.. Ashton exc
cutUr. he made his last viii and testament
bcqucathing hi3 q 20 tae Young couple.
Tie Instructions Waite gaze concerning
his b llia. was carried ont His soH, when
hec aimed to never have seen, is alive, ald
relatives are trying TO persuade hill to
contest the will