The morning call., 1891-10-08
DATED HIS DEATH.
Made His Coffin Sixteen Years
Before His Demise.
Kept It in Readiness Under His Bed-storY
Of the Strange Life Of Elwen
Chick-A Great Appetite.

In the rear apartment of downtown un-
dertaking establishment was seen last even
ing a sugar-pine coffin of the plainess
description, containing all that was mortal
of one whose life, if known in its entirety.
would read like romance. The silver
plated coffin-plate was in perfect harmony
with the painness of the coffin. and in
scribed thereon were the words:
ELwELL CHICK.
Aged 70 years.
On raising the lid there was disclosed to
view the remains of man about feet Z
inches in height and very slight of frame.
The face even in death bore the stamp Of
honesty and will power; but paradoxicaI
as it may appear, his very weakness had
caused him to live alone for almost half
century, and death found him in the care
of strangers. Some portions of his life
have been discovered, and 90 to show that
his character was almost as contradictory
as his life was strange.
BORN IN MAINE.
Elwell Chick was born in Wiscasset Me-.
in October of the year 1910, and while still
young learned the carpenters trade.
When the California fever of "'49'' was
felt in tine East he was affected by it, left
his wife with two children and came to San
Francisco to make his fortune. just where
he first lived is unknown, but early in the
"'50s" he returned 10 his native town and
brought his family out to the Pacific Coast
From an old acquaintance of his a fel-
l0w-craftsman. it was learned that within a
few years after the bringing out of the FAM
lily he and his wife separated, she being un-
able to live with him on account of his hav-
ing contracted the habit OF oveEindulgenee
in strong drink. Liquor apparently had the
effect on him of entirely changing his ma
turn fnr whila snhQr he EnOWn tn ha
affectionate, patriotic and as honest as the
day, but when intoxicated he was not to be
trusted In any respect
ON THE MOVE.
When his wife left him he built himself
small cottage, which lie placed on leased
property, and whenever dislike to the
locality of his habitation moved him he
moved his house. 1t is known that he had
it moved on three separate occasions. the
last place being on Hyde street, near the
northwest corner of Broadway, for num-
Der of years and where he died at O'Clock
yesterday morning.
For the past sixteen years he has been in
possession of another pie of personal
property, nothing less than the coffin in
which he now lies awaiting his consignment
to mother earth" The coffin was made
by him alone and unaided, and he has kept
it underneath his bed constantly. The
preuliarity of the man is illustrated by the
coffin plate, upon which is inscribed: aged
70 years." than which he has lived three
years more. In addition to the coffin was
found its outside covering or box, made Of
redwood plank two inches in thickness.
A HORRIBLE FEAR.
The cause of his having made his own
coffin is said to have been a horrible fear
which possessed him lest he might not be
properly buried. 1t appears that many
years ago, in fact sixteen. his wife tried to
induce him to make deed in her favor of
what little property he had and told him
she would see that he was properly inferred
when he died He refused. After that she
was not known to have any further commu-
nicaton with him and it was thought that
was the cause of the fear which possessed
him.
Unless chickens, pigeons and cats can be
called companions he lived entirely alone,
attending to his own household. He was
known to be possessed Of singular fondness
for eating, oftentimeS getting up two and
three times during night to satisfy his al-
petite. 1t is said of him that he would pur-
chase a ten-pound turkey and consume it in
three meals.
FAMILY OF DECEASED.
His family consisted of his wife, son
and daughter. The latter'S name is not
known, but his son was named Harrison,
was a lawyer by profession, married and on
the death of himself and wife left four
daughters. all of whom are still alive and
reSlulng III Oakldhu-tWO mdIlIeu anu IWO
unmarried
There was no communication between El-
we'll Chick and his grandchildren. His ona
besetting sin rendered it impossible, and
while good worker when sober he was OF
several occasions almost on the verge
of starvation. A few years since he
was taken in charge to GER
tain extent by gentlemen who knew
little about his life and within the past
three years three of his brothers in the
East died, leaving him a little money. at
various times, amounting in all to about
5000, of which he leaves about $500, which
he, at the instance of his friend, has be-
Queathed to his two youngest grand
daughters.
The remains will be buried tomorrow
from Gray's undertaking establishment at
II o'clock in the morning in lot which he
purchased for himself. There will be no
services by his own request.