Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1889-02-15
OBITUARY.

40 The Chicago Qil.) Herald of Monday, jan
IS, has the following.
"Willard Franklin Myrick, one OF the oldest
citizens OF Chicago, died yesterday morning
at II o'clock at his residence, corner of Thir
tleth street and Vernon avenue. Deceased
was the son of Zcnas and Eunice Mvrick. and
was born ut Addison, Addison county VT
July ii, 1909. At the age OF twenty-five wears
he started out to make his fortune. He loca-
ted hrst at London, Canada, where he re-
manned nve years. In September, 1896 how
ever, he became dissatisfied with his nros-
poets and decided to change his location.
He therefore started on horseback tor iii.
no1s, crossing The Detroit river at Detroit,
and travelling through southern Michigan, ar.
| rived in Chicago in the following October
lie remained here "a few DAYS and then went
down on the Illinois river below Joliet where
ne remained on farm until the next spring,
when he returned to Chicago. shortly after
inns ne bought what was then called "sqat-
| ter's claim" to II tract OF land which extended
| rom TwentysiXth street on the north to
| Thirty first street on the SOUTH and from
! south Park avenue to Lake Michigan This
was then known as canal lands At that time
a twostory hotel, known as the Empire
! House, which was II faVOrite resort for the
| farmers and drovers who came to Chicago
was erected ON this property, near Twenty.
ninth street and the lake. Mr.. Myrick was
married in Chicago July 10, 1893 to Jane Hill,
and shortly aiterward they moved into the
MOTEL which they named'the Myrick House,
and considerably enlarged it. lie kept this
hotel tor about fifteen years, and during that
time thriving business was conducted, the
place developing into a tull-hedged stock
I =
farmers ana stock raisers from that portion
OF Illinois and Indiana lying south and south
west OF Lake Michigan.
During those early days Chicago was but a
village, and the road to the Myricll House
ran almost ut random along the lake shore.
II was no unusual thing for travellers starting
from the village to the Myrick House to get
lost on the lonely prairie, and Mr.. Myrick
himself sometimes met with serious difficulty
i'll finding his own home at night. After one
or two experiences OF this kind Mrs. Mvrick
always pus bright light in an upper window
of the house whenever Mr. Myrick was away
from home after dark Mr.. Myrick used to
relate, with cOnsid 'rable amusement, an in.
cident which occurred while he was the pro-
prietor OF that primitive but hospitable hotel.
One evening Il number OF farmers were sitting
around the office, when one of them an
nounced the fact that II live fish placed in IL
tub OF water would not increase the weight
OF the whole. Mr.. Myrick offered to wager
$40 to 81 it was not true, and the discussion
got so warm that he had wagered 81 800 on
the proposition before he was aware of il.
A practical test was decided upon, and a live
fish weighing about five pounds wa caught
In the Calumet river and taken to the Myrick
House by "A procession OF farmers and fisher
men, headed by brass band. OF course, Mr..
Myrick won the money, and the guests were
royalty entertained by their genial host.
"In 1874 Mr.. Myrick built the hand some brick
house ut the corner OF Thirtieth street and
Vermont avenue, where he has since resided.
Since 1854 Mr.. Myrick has been practically out
OF business. His valuable real estate which
was constantly increasing in demand and
price, kept him busy and made him n very
wealthy man, ana AT lnt tliIc OF MS death lie
still owned large ots and handsome residence
properties in this locality. Always IL quiet
and modest man, he took little or no part in
public affairs preierrng the quiet and con-
tent OF home to the worry and cares of public
office. He was an ardent lover OF horses and
always kept "A speedy animal tor his own spe-
cial driving. lie was "A member of the Wash
ington Park club and his wen known face and
figure was noticeable about the club house
veranda during every day If the racing
sons During his later years he perhaps en-
jOyed nothing better than friendly brush
with some friend on the boulevard while out
driving. Mr.. Myrick in his early years was
man of remarkable physical endowment. He
was genial, hospitable and courageous and
was endeared to "A host OF friends. A man OF
uncompromising integrity himself, he was
confiding alu ost to n fault in his friends. A
mans word to him was as good II security as
could be asked tor, and many needy appli-
cant tor a timely favor has been financially
relieved in a quiet way that made the action
more binding and the payment moral neces-
sity. He was a very liberal man, both in his
business dealings and in his charitable ac-
tions. He made no parade of his generosity,
but in modest manner dealt out his bene-
licences with an open hand and a free handed
charity, which sought neither praise nor pub
licity. Mr.. Myrick retained his health and
strength in a remarkable manner, and al
though nearly eighty years OF age, had known
but little illness. The cause OF his death was
peculiar. on the 18th of December last he
complained OF severe pain in the joint of his
greal toe, and a physician made an examna-
ton. Tie discovered that gangrene had set in,
hut continued to treat the afflicted member
tor some time with temporary relief and
hopes OF a cure. After "A time another exam
nation was made and amputation was decid-
ed upon. This operation was performed Jan.
II, and IL was ut first thought he would get en-
tirely we'll, but il was discovered that the
poison was becoming absorbed IN the blood,
and death resulted yesterday morning.
Deceased leaves n wife and one daughter,
who Is married To ID. w. jackson, the attOr
new, and five grandchildren, to whom he was
greatly endeared. n