The evening times., 1896-09-14
KEPT HIS STRANGE VOW
SilaS Huffman Remained in
Bed Fifteen Years.
WAS INSANE WHEN HE DIED
Threat Made Against His Brother.
Arguments, Entrea ties and Tales of
Marvels to BE Seen Failed to Move
Him When Told the House was on
Fire He Sneered.

| Far Hills, n. j., Sept. 14.-Silas HUFF
| man. the obstinate eccentric. WHO remain
ed in bed for over fifteen years, true to a
strange VOW he took in the Old Huffman
homestead, on the Bedminster road, near
| this village, is dead OF senile degeneracy,
caused by his long, self-inflicted coniine-
ment. His end was peaceful, but to tl.'
| last the determined man refused to leave
| hts bed. even though he was told that the
| open air and Il change OF residence might
| lengthen his life. He was buried in the
family burying ground within sight of the
| room OF which he was so long constant
| inmate.
| His demise removes one OF the most re-
| markable characters this section OF New
| Jersey has recorded. Fifteen years ago
Silas was one OF the popular young meE
| near Bernardsyfle. He owned fast horses
| and spent a small fortune left by his parents
| in free and liberal manner, leaving him
self almost penniless on his thirty-third
| birthday.
In his extremity lie mortgaged the old
| homestead to his brother who was method
| ical and saving. and for some months longer
| continued to lead gay and careless life.
| The end came when the interest was de
manded on the mortgage, and it was when
| his brother threatened TO foreclose that lie
uttered his strange oath:
KEPT HIS WORD
IF you sell me out, gol darn ye, I'll go
to bed and stay there forever"
The sale took place, and Silas kept bis
word He retired To the attic OF the house
and lived until his death in spare bed
which he put in order in a corner OF the
room, to the discontinue OF his family
| and many friends who, later on. made
periodic attempts to make him change his
quarters He subsisted on food which Ire
| seauesterei during the night on weekly
visits to the farmhouse pantry.
Ten years ago, when be had become one
| of the celebrated characters of the country
| side, extreme methods were adopted 10
cause him to leave his room or bed. He
was told that his end was approaching.
hut he waved away bis suppliants, not
| deigning to speak.
An old conIpa nion of his gay days was.
| brought III. nd Silas was told of the niaI.
wonders taking place in the city OF New
| York. a town that he had dearly loved
| to visit during his career. He was tDid
| of the opening of the Brooklyn Bridge, OF
| the many handsome new buildngsin in course
OF construction. OF the telephone, OF the
| pbonograpb, OF the recently perfected
| electric light; but 10 the recital OF all
these interest-awakening niys teries he
merely grunted.
REMAINED IN BED.
Cloth was burned on lower floor. aud he
aStoldthatth he house wasafirc. Hesniffed
| hisdisbeIief TnaHattemptstodis odislodgehin
| he gave uniform and effective opposition.
Force was not used. as he was still! Z power
| ful man. and II was feared such procedure
| would lead to a tragedy. Reside this. siias
! was now clothed in ali the dignity of an ex-
| nIted and celebrated parsonage. in whom
| the entire community was interested. and
! forcible removal would have been resented.
| Inthe years that foIlow,.l. l.theCharsesthat
| time brings about made rapid inroads on tie
| recluse. The hair of his head grew until
| il tcovered half the bed. His beard was over
! four feet long. both beard and hair beng
| white rs snow, when lie at last was earned
| from his long tinieo resting place. His nne
| line powerful and vigorous frame became
| elraciated. until he resenbled freak skele-
ton man. aud his ruddy complexion assumed
| tie tint and texture OF parchment.
| Five years ago his mind degererated In
| accord with his physical being. He !cst al
memory OF former pleasures andfriends. but
| stulheId fast to his determination TO remain
| IN bed. That idea was fastened by soIEe oc-
| cult power of his oath, and from II lie never
| deviatcd-