The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-09-14
SILAS HUFFMAN'S OATH.
He Swore to Stay i'm Bed Until He
Died, and He Did.

FAR HILLS, N. j., Sept. 13.-Silas Huff
man, who obstinately remained in bed for
more than fifteen years in the old Huffman
homestead. on the Bedminster road near
this village, is dead from senile debility,
caused by his long, self-infiicted confine-
ment. To the last the determined man re-
fused to leave his bed, except at irregular
intervals, when he would steal at night to
the pantry and lay in a supply of food. He
was told that the open air and d change of
residence might lengthen his life, but it
had no effect. He was buried on Thurs
day in the family burying ground
Silas, before he began his long retirement,
was one of the most popular men near Ber-
nardsville. He owned fast horses and was
frequently on the road, having for his COM
panion some one of the village bellies. He
was friend of r. V. Lindabury, then a
village schoolmaster in adjacent town
ship, and spent a small fortune left by his
parents in liberal manner, leaving him
self almost penniless on his thirtythird
birthday. In his extremity he mortgaged
the homestead to his brother. who was
methodical and saving, and for several
months continued to lead a gay life. The
end came when the interest was demanded
on the mortgage, and it was when his
brother threatened to foreclose that Silas
uttered this strange oath:
IF you sell me out. by God, will go to
bed and stay there forever
The sale took place and Silas kept his
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
the many friends who, later on made at
tempts to induce him to change his quar-
ters. When, ten years ago he had become
one of the celebrated characters of the
country side, extreme methods were adopt
ed to cause him to leave his room or bed.
He was told that his death was approach
ing, but he waved away his infornlants,
not deigning TO speak. A companion of
his gay days was taken to him, and Silas
was told of the many wonders taking place
in the city of New York, town that he
had formerly loved to visit. He was told of
the opening of the Brooklyn bridge. of the
many handsome buildings in course of con-
struction, of the telephone, of the
phonograp h. of the recently perfected cleo
trio light but to the recital of all these
interest mysteries he merely
grunted in response. Cloth was burned on
the lower floor and he was told that the
house af1re.
To all attempts to dislodge him he gave
uniform and effective opposition. Force
was not used as he was still a powerful
man, and it was feared that such procedure
would lead TO a tragedy. Besides this, ST.
las was now clothed in all the dignity of an
exhalted and celebrated parsonage, in whom
the entire community. was interested, and
forcibe removal would have meant scam
DIAL In the years that followed the changes
that time brings about made rapid inrOadS
on the recluse His hair grew until it COW
cred half the bed. His beard was more
than four feet long, and both beard and
hair became white as snow. His one
time powerful and vigorous frame became
emaciated, until he resembled freak skel-
eton man. His rudy complexion assumed
the tint and texture Of parchment Five
years ago his mind decayed in accord with
his physical being. He lost all memory of
former pleasures and friends, but still held
fast to his determination to remain in bed.
That idea was fastened by some power of
his oath, and from it he never deviated.