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Ida Mayfield Wood Hid Her Riches and Lived in Hoarding Squalor
Two sisters, Ida Wood and Mary Mayfield lived together in the Herald Square Hotel for 24 years. On May 5, 1931, 93-year old Ida left her hotel room to ask for help, because her sister was sick. When hotel employees and the rescue team entered the room, they found “yellowed newspapers, cracker boxes, balls of used string, stacks of old wrapping paper and several large trunks.” The sisters never allowed maids to enter their room, and they had breakfast delivered to them daily through room service. Aside from the trash that had accumulated in the room, it was clear to everyone that Ida had not bathed in a very long time. These sisters weren’t your average hoarders. They also accumulated cash, jewels, bonds, and fine silks. For whatever reason, they were hoarding their riches and living in squalor as reclusive widows.
During the financial crisis of 1907, Ida went to her bank and withdrew $1 million in cash, carrying it out in her purse. She reportedly told an employee that she was “tired of everything”, and checked herself into the hotel. Every time Ida gave a tip to the bellhop, she claimed that she would soon run out of money. Clearly, she had a fear of revealing her wealth to the public. Unfortunately for Ida, she was declared incompetent after she revealed herself to the world. The hotel forced her to leave the room. It was later revealed that Ida Mayfield’s real name was Ellen Walsh. She was the daughter of a poor Irish immigrant, and she changed her name in order to attract a wealthy husband.