New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-06-30
THE TOMB OF HIS ANCESTOR
A SINGULAR WILL AND THE TRAGEDY
1T NEARLY CAUSED, TOGEIHEfS
WITH ANOTHER 1T AVERTED.


founders in Somerset County, in Northern Maine
left heritage that has just proved decldediy
serious proposition to of his heirs
The family is among the wealthest in the
State. Years ago its pioneer went into Sofner-
set County, and in time became the principal
business figure of the section His hrst Dig
strike made out of a bright idea Ihere
were no railroads in Maine in those days, and In
Northern Somerset not many decent highways
Getting stuff to market took away all the profits
The Squire as he was called in his section, did
most of his business by barter, and took the
farmers products. one year he advised every
enc around about to plant grain and he assured
them that he would take it. He named price
that very attractive and every one Won
dered how he was going to pay much, ship it
the market in Haliowell, seventy-five miles
below the river, and make any money. The
Kennebec was broken by half dozen falls and
rapids along this distance, and the expense OF
the carries and reIoading below the falls was
almost prohibitive. But when the harvest time
came the Squire was ready with strong hogs
heads that his coopers had been busy making all
summer. The grain was packed into these, and
they rolled into the river. They foated
with the current, bobbed along the rapids and
shot the falls in safety. and the Squire's men
collected them they passed the port of desti-
/ nation. Both grain and hoSsheadS brought good
prices.
The Squire left good fortune when he died
AS he felt age approaching he put his men at
work on the construction of big tomb. He To-
Gated this in the garden in the rear of the old
mansion that still stands as of the show
places in the town of Athens. on his deathbed
he issued commands as TO what his relatives
should do with his body after dissolution He
ordered them to place him in the leaden coffin
he had bought some months earlier. and after
it had been stored in the tomb to pour the
coffin full Of Jamaica rum The curious stipula-
ton was carried out carefully
Then. when the old mans will read. ii was
discovered that the chief heir had some singular
business on his hands. The will went to ex-
plain that the testator couldn't bear the idea of
/ being laid away in the tomb forever. knowing
that NJ would be left to moulder forgotten. He
wanted his relatives To bear him in mind.
and his method Of Earring their memory annually
was this The will directed attention To the little
spout sticking up at the head of the casket The
command was that annually each June on the
anniversary Of the Squire's burial the chief heir
should enter the old tomb bringing jug of rum.
and that ne should replenish the supply in the
coffin. As the penalty for failing to do this was
forfeiture 81 the rights chief heir. the Squire $
coffin has been kept filled up with exact atten-
tion detail. The graves of other veterans
have not been kept green 50 assiduously.
/ The family removed from the old mansion
some years ago in order To afford the and
daughters more advantages in Of the cities
/ in Maine. Recently the heir upon whom de-
wolves the duty OF. carrying the jug of 10
/ the estimable aEl Well preserved old gentleman
/ in Athens. suspended his business engagements
for day and started on his annual trip. He
went To- Scion by train and hiring team at a
stable. rode across country. The mansion stands
hit out Of the village. When the heir turned
in at the gate between the double rows of tow
ering lilac bushes. in the neighborhood
happened To spy him The visitor htched his
horse at the rear Cf the house of sight of
the road and then proceeded toward the tomb
He let himself into it, and when the overtlo---
from the spout indicated that the coffin was
| filed he started for the door.
Now il CHANGED that through age and heaV-
ing 10y the frost of the ragstOnes with
which the tomb is paved jutted its edge above
its neiShbors. I'm the gloom of the tomb the
heir didn't see the stumbling block, and he struck
it and tripped. AS he trippe he Iunged for
ward and slammed full tilt against the inside of
the half opened door. The door banged shut
and the great hinge outside clicked into place
The heir a pri ,ner = the tomb of his an
cestor.
The door fitted very snugly against the jamb