The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-07-12
HOLDS THE FORT
Mr.. MaCOmber Keeps Out
Pixies Relatives.
Says That She Was Ordered
to Do so by the Dead Man.
Very Lively Family Row in Progress
in WestcOtt Village.

The usual quiet village Of Westcott Is
stirred TO its utmost depths over the cir
cumstances Attending the death of Mr..
John L. Pike, who has for some time con-
ducted small grocery in the building
which he rented on the main road several
years ago and which was occupied by his
son in law Capt Willie" Eccleston Of
the Salvation Army, until his peculiar
manner of doing business caused an at
tacbment to be placed on his stock by
his creditors and his being called upon to
answer other ana more serious charges by
his father -in-law.
Mr. Pike was we'll known and highly
respected and when, several years ago. he
erected commodious dwelling with a
store on the ground floor which he at first
rented to his son-in-law, tho neighbors
were much pleased at the prospect of not
being compelled to go out To the neigh
boring villages for their groceries and
Mr.. pike was considered somewhat in the
light of u philanthropist. In short
time. however. there was trouble in the
family and much 10 tho astonisbment OF
his acquaintances, MIR. Pike was com
mitted to the insane asylum. He was dis
charged in a short time and returned To
Westcott where no one who had any deal
ings with him had any doubt as to his
sanity but OH the contrary he was con.
sidered an exceptionally level-headed bus
mess man. The Westcott property had
been in charge of Capt Willie" Eccles-
ton who had bought il and given a mort
gage to Mr.. Pike for more than IL was
worth but no cash had been paid, accord
ing 10 the statement of one Of Mr.. Pixies
brothers. and the place was finally trans
ferred To Charles Pike who now holds the
deed of the property.
Last spring Eccleston who had paid
more attention To preaching than be had
TO the grocery business became heavily in
volved in debt and in order, as he said,
to keep his credit good he borrowed $500
from his father-in-law 10 pay his bills,
Mr. Pike taking n mortgage on the stock
In the store s4s seeHfity-tef sometime his
daughter, Mrs. EcclestoL, had been custo-
dian of his private papers and the mort
gage was deposited with the others for safe
keeping. This spring Mr.. Pike asked
for his papers TO transact some business
and much to his surprise the mortgage
deed was missing from among them, On
his inquiring where n was be was In
differently informed that no one knew and
thai it had probably been torn up. As be
could get no satisfaction he secured legal
advice which finally resulted in Captain
Willie" being placed under arrest and his
place of business closed up. He was also
compelled TO vacate the tenement and
move to Natick where he is conducting
a store ostensibly for himself but really rs
agent for one of the larger valley firms.
The Ecclestons and Mr. Pike have not
been on good terms since and when Mr..
Pike entered into the grocery business In
a small way the breach widened. For
some time MIR. Pike boarded with one of
the neighb bors but several months ego he
engaged Mrs. Hattie Macomber of Provi-
dence as "a housekeeper and occupied the
tenement over the store as IT was more
convenient TO his business
A few weeks ago he complained OF feel
ing i'll ana physician was called. Mr.
Pixies disease was diagnosed rs dropsy
and in spite Of the efforts of Drs. Il. NJ
Smith and &. h. Clarke the old man died
yesterday morning.
Mrs. Eccloston, on hearing OF her
fathers death. at once notified her
mother, who resides at Phenix, but who
had been separated from Mr.. Pike for
mum ber OF years and the two In COM
pany with Capt. Willie" went to the
house and attempted 10 take charge of
matters Mt once. In this they were frus-
trated by Mrs. Maoomber, who claims
that she had orders from Mr.. Pike not
TO allow them i'm the house before or after
his death, and then tho services OF an
officer were procured. who relied on his
NIGEL plated iron and bold front 10 force
the hOusekceper to open the door. She
did not scare however, and up TO noon
today was holding the fort against Mr..
Pixies relatives. Mr.. Pixies two brothers
are at the house and do net intend 10 be
intimidated by the gallant captain, who
once distinguished himself ny preaching,
singing ana playing harmonica. at n
meeting at Quidnick, and the outcome
OF the affair is watched with great inter
est by the residents of the valley.