Putnam patriot., 1916-11-17
GEORGE RICHARD
 DEAD
Last of Old POmfrst Family Passes
 Away
He and Brother James, 72. We're Known
 as Riekard "Boys.'

George P. Rickard, the last of an old Pamfret family, died early Tuesday morning al his home in Pomfret aged sa years, ' months and 6 days. He had been lin failing health for some time due te advanced years. Mr. kickard was born in Pemffet in the home where be died. He was one of four children, and son Of George aud Mary lBuekl Rickard. George. and hts brother James, who died in De- cember, 1918, at the age of 72 years, were known as The Rickard "ooys."
 Up to eight years ago their sister kept house for them. After hsT death they lived alone doing their own cook. ing and homework None of them were ever married. While no romance ever came into the lives of the boys 1t is said that the sister was engaged to be married and that the wedding day was set. In fact the guests assembled for the wedding ceremony but the bride did not put in an appearance. When friends went in search of her, 1t is said, she was found hiding under her bed and refused to come out. The guests departed and the wedding never came oil.
 The boys and their sister practically lived the lives of recluses. Born on the farm where they died they early in life began to save the pennies. They never went anywhere or saw anyone and although they never left the old farm, were reputed to have amassed fortunei of between one hundred and one hundred and fifty thousand dol lars.
 The farm, fine one Of len acres on the road from Putnam to Pomfret street, has been allowed to run down in late years. One ipassing the place would hardly know that 1t was in- habited. The little story and half dwelling Iseemed to be shrinking up with age and it's faded green blinds were always kept closed. Seldom If ever was light seen about the place and the only sign of life now and then was q thin blue column of smoke that came up from the wood stove through the large brick chimney. It looked lonely and dreary from the outside. Few ever saw the interior of the home. Here in this lonesome and solitary manner lived these people, well able to afford the luxuries of lite. .
 Occasionally brother George was seen in Putnam. Once in s while he would dispose of little produce from the farm. He would buy the meager supplies and return to the home for another period. As the pennies sg- gregated dollars and the dollars ac. cumulated they began to invest and are said to have owned over n thousand acres of land, some of it valuable tim. Der land, and held mortgages on much more.
 OccasionalIy~George would come to Putnam for the purpose of making a deposit at the bank. He would bring with him in his shabby clothes a thousand or two thousand dollars in bills of all denominations. At times some of the money would show signs of mold as if it had been hidden away in some damp place.
 And so they lived, these simple children, beginning life in . frugal manner and so continuing year after year until 1t became such . fixed habit to save that there wss mo pleasure to be gained from spending. They knew no pleasures and knew not how to .ob- tain them had they desired. The sun rose and the sun set day after day and they continued to exist. What life held for them or what it meant to them few people know. The end has come; the family has gone leaving no monument behind except a monument Of dollars.
 Shortly after the death of James, Everett Hyde Of Danielson. q nephew, and the sole surviving relative, put a man and his wife on the farm as care taker. MT. Hyde has continued super vision during his uncle's life and has seen that he was we'll cared for in his last days.
 The funeral service WAS held from the home, Wednesday afternoon at one o'clock, Rev. George D. Stanley of the Putnam Methodist church officiat- ing. Burial was in the family lot in G rove street cemetery.
 
 Putnam Man Bound Over