The New York Socialite Who Lived in a Decaying Hotel Room for 24 years! - Ida Wood - Fickle Fate 

Hi friends, subscribers & newcomers! Finally, Oddie's first ever 'talkie' Historical Feature. It certainly feels awkward talking into a microphone and hearing your own voice...I guess it just something to get used to. I know I have to get a pop filter, to reduce the popping sounds that occur particularly in the pronunciation of 'aspirated plosives' - I got that from Wikipedia! :) I think I could improve in time, if I was to do more....but that choice I leave to my viewers; do you wish to hear me rambling on - or are my usual offerings more to your liking? Maybe I should have made a video of a shorter duration for my 'first time', but this was a complicated story that I just couldn't summarise in a few minutes - which made it more of a challenge, seeing as there are only few factual images related to this case. Anyway I humbly beg your pardon for any 'aspirated plosives' lol, ...and thank you once again for joining me in another journey into the weird & wonderful past. I'd like to thank the RU-vidr who suggested that I should look up Ida Wood as a story. I have unfortunately forgotten your user-name, but many thanks! Here's the link to my Zazzle page for fan merchandise: www.zazzle.com/obsoleteoddity/products Here's the link to my Twitter page: twitter.com/ObsoleteOddity1 Here's the link to my Patreon page: www.patreon.com/ObsoleteOddity

I love how you read. I'm legally blind and very much appreciate being read to. Every story I've heard I have enjoyed.

She clearly loved her sisters enough to care for them all their lives. It sounds like she grew to have an anxiety disorder around the money, that turned into a form of recluse/hoarding. It's a shame no one knew enough to help her. She was right to think people would take advantage.

There was a patient at the hospital where I worked named Ida Wood, she was completely deaf, she died at age 106, I always surmised that her longevity was a product of her stress free environment brought about by her deafness.

I can’t believe this was your first narration. And I REALLY can’t believe that you don’t realize how excellent your voice and narration really is. You should be very proud of yourself and you should feel blessed at the quality of your speaking voice. I love your channel, man.

You’re a gifted storyteller with a velvet voice. Lovely to listen to you and be transported back in time. Thank you.

Definitely keep the narration! Otherwise it would be more like reading a book. Your voice has a lot of compassion in it and adds a lot to the story. Keep up the good work.

Even four years after the question was asked, the format is perfect. I can either shut my eyes and travel to time gone by as I listen to your stories of love, passion, fame and madness. Or I can enjoy the coming to life a sepia print beach, or I can shy away from blinking eyes in black and white stills. Love it !

She thought money would set her free. Instead it made her a prisoner. Peace and love all

Just found this channel and I love it. Many stories of women who wanted to be left alone, which does not strike me as odd in the slightest.

You have the perfect voice for narration. Thank you for your hard work, time and dedication.

I’m 55, and still putting 3 kids through law & graduate school, so I’m still working as a Metro Cop till my youngest finish their PhD & JD, so I never even have time to watch tv, but fella this was the best DAMN story I ever heard, was interesting as hell, and man you got a million dollar voice & especially the way you tell the story with that kick ass accent. I subscribed & also marked the bell, but if you’re smart, like I know you are, I wouldn’t change a thing. Hell, if my professors would have lectured the way you do, I would have finished with a PhD, but they were boring as hell, so I quit going. Thanks a bunch partner, God Speed.

Absolutely thrilled with the atmospheric narration. You used all the right “feeling” in the tones of the narration. Thank you very much..loved it..in today’s lockdown a good time spent.

Shared this with 10 friends today while we sat having coffee we are all 58 to 70 yrs old THANK YOU

Wow, Ida was so bold in her younger years, and it's heartbreaking to know that someone with such spirit dwindled into a virtual hermit. You did great with your narration. Your voice is lovely!

I like the voice narrative, better than those computer generated voices.

This blind girl also has to agree that the narration is very wonderful. A very smooth and soothing voice you have. Please keep up the good work. Thank you for posting enjoy every video I have come upon since becoming a subscriber. Everyone take care, take it easy and be safe

It's all good to me. I actually enjoyed listening to the story so i could relax before going to sleep.

I've complimented your work, before. You're very gifted. And people with a voice like yours, get paid to use it! Please carry on. And only because, your stories are so thought provoking, I'd say keep up the written word as well. As the story unfolds, my thoughts reeled, and I missed parts of your narration. It was very nice to simply pause, and read. You could be very successful, sharing these stories with the world, by taking this to TV...

I always prefer narration over visuals. That way I can put it on in the background and listen while I do other things. Really good storytelling!

I’m the one who suggested you investigate this story. Thank you very much it’s a wonderful video! You found out much more than I had ever heard about her situation.

No wonder she wouldnt come out! She knew everyone would want the money and her intelligence earned her that money! *Love the narration! Prefer it IMMENSELY over the slides w/music* ♡ Thanks for the video and entertainment. Your one of my favorites. We watch your narrated videos as a family!♡

This story is so fascinating it inspired me to read more about her online. I think it's a story of a woman who'd been fighting for survival and as a concequence, stayed in survival mode all of her life, got caught up in a self-strung web of lies she tried desperately to uphold and until the end tried to hold onto what she felt was rightfully hers, what SHE aquired in her life through the agreements her and her gambling husband had made between each other in order to not land in the poor house.... after her being his mistress for 10 whole years. Selling everything including his businesses after her husband's death, taking all of her money out of the bank so she can hoard it with herself and the only two other people (besides her late husband who had kept her secrects during their 30 year marriage) that knew her truth, cutting off all contact to her parents at 19 for the rest of her life so that NO ONE will be able to expose the truth about her persona (until then, her husband with his status and influence was most likely able to shield her off from "inquiring minds" trying to dig further about her pedigree), hiding away from the outside world for the rest of her life with her sister and "daughter" to create her final persona of a "poor old lady with only 10 cents to her name". It tells me that she was indeed very fearful of what might happen if his close relatives (especially the greedy ones) found out that she lied about her "pedigree" and entire origins, the thought of them finally exposing her as a poor irish Immigrant's daughter would lead them to take her to court, have her marriage annulled therefore being able to get their hands on all of his wealth he had aquired and given her. It sure sounds like it anyway. A fear that may or may not have been legit. After her husband's death I can imagine she probably didn't even grieve propperly yet and her mind immediately went to securing the wealth....not out of greed but out of fear. A mental illness she developed in her childhood that in the end, held her captive. In any case I feel like there is sooo much more to this story and it needs to be made into a movie!!🎥🎞️

Amazing video! Brilliant narrative, along with your lovely accent & masterful storytelling ability, adds So much more to the whole experience!! You have officially become my favorite channel!!! Absolutely Love listening along with the fascinating stories you obviously work so hard on! Thank you so much for crafting & sharing these wonderful gems with us, Bravo!!!!

I listen to you at night, you know, it's my adult time beddy-bye night time stories.

I loved the music and voice Better then just the slides . I like to listen when I’m about to sleep .

Your voice is spender and soothing .. Photos are visually stimulating .. I can not get enough oh your stories .. I’ve been sharing them with friends too. Do nothing different ! I’m so happy I found your stories

LOVE YOUR VOICE!!! It contributes another layer of intrigue to your already mesmerizing historical "oddities".

The narration was exceptional making the story so much more. Thank you.

I liked the voice over so i dont have to read it and i can listen while laying down.

Yes the narration was just fine and I thought this was definitely not your first until I read more "below". Keep it up! And wow.. what a story!!

Will be donating $5 monthly for your videos on that Patron site.

There's a fascinating book about Ida: "The Recluse of Herald Square" published in 1964.

The talking is wonderful. With eyesight problems it is extremely helpful and a great service. The picture slides are wonderful because the images add visual information as well. It all helps the telling of the story. Thank you for such sensitivity extended to your audience.

"I might contract an agreeable intimacy with you." 'affairs de coeur" = 19th century hookups

You are the perfect time traveller! :) I found it quite tragic how Ida Wood ended up, maybe it had to do with the situation of the economy which undoubtedly drove her to live a life like a hermit. Wonderfully narrated and presented.

I really enjoyed listening to a mellow Australian voice. A fantastic bedtime story. Thank you 😊 Perhaps you might think about profiling Frank Thring, an eccentric socialite and performer who lived out his days residing at the Windsor Hotel in Melbourne. And another fascinating Melbourne story is that of Sunday and John Reed, and their home and artist's retreat, Heide.

I could watch/listen to these all day. So interesting and soothing.

I AM A BRAND NEW WATCHER AS OF 5/2017. AND I AM NOT SHOUTING AT YOU, JUST DON'T WANT YOU TO MISS THIS COMMENT. YOUR PIECES ARE FASCINATING AND BEFORE DISCOVERING THEM, I WAS LARGELY UNAWARE OF THESE TALES. SO, THAT SAID, I AM ENJOYING THEM IMMENSELY. NOW, MY VOTE IS TO DO NARRATION. I LIKE THE SOUND OF YOUR VOICE, AND I DON'T HAVE TO SIT AND READ. THANK YOU EVER SO MUCH FOR oBSOLETEoDDITY. IT KEEPS MY ATTENTION.

People who have come into money act so strange at times. Who'd thought she was a millionaire the way she lived. Loved all the presentation.

These videos are addictive and your narrating is amazing, perfectly read Keep up the good work! I look forward to hearing more stories.

I like that you read us the story. I like the voice too.

If you narrated books I would listen to them. I try to listen books on RU-vid, but the narraters are so bad I just back out. You have a very calm, interesting voice and are an excellent reader.

Aww, how sweet. Ida & Benjamin were truly a lovely match. They worked as a team forever. I love this.

As someone with sight issues I like t narrative. U got a easy to listen to voice

You have a amazing voice, your storytelling fits well 💛💙💜🧡💚🖤❤️

Keep the voice narration and music, please. Thank you for this video. I'd heard of Ida and her strange last years, but did not know many of the details. Her story would make an excellent movie!

Oddie, I enjoyed another one of your fascinating stories. I absolutely love to listen to your magnificent story telling voice. Ida was a shrewed, money/investment woman, and a lucky one. It sure was her destiny. Being from a poor background, she did not live an extravagant, wasteful life style, but she lived a humble one. How disgusting those greedy people were to dug up her dead sister's grave looking for more money. Thanks again for sharing this story with us. It is well put together I love the ending. Ida's kins deserved the inheritance, she invested and saved, not her husband. 😊🇨🇦

Wow! And I thought I squeezed a nickel till the buffalo screams! Wow! This was an awesome story🙌🙌🙌

Love the voiceover. Keep up the good work!😊👍🏻

love the vocal naration. you have a wonderful voice.

Thank you for this. I'm recovering from an accident and your videos have really helped. So glad I found them. Thanks again.

these videos are just sheer professional work of art. it is no wonder that there is no time for you to respond as the viewing audience has grown so vast, i just found this channel and i am subscribed bravo to this channel

YES, by all means do the reading! So enjoy these odd stories

I realize I’m a couple of years late here and I know that I have none of your other work to compare it to, but I was absolutely enthralled with the way you put this story and this video together. I truly look forward to viewing more of your great work, sir! 👍👍👍

It's wonderful listening to a real sounding voice. One that is good to listen to, not annoying. Thank you for that. Fascinating story, very well presented.

I thoroughly enjoyed the voice narration and I absolutely love the story! at first I was really upset thinking that all those greedy people were going to get away with her things but then in the end when I found out that they weren't getting a dime that it was going to Ida's real relatives I was overjoyed!! thank you thank you for telling it so beautifully! rest in peace Mrs.Ida Wood.

I like the voice narrative as I can't read as fast as the slides pass by.

Love the narration! Please continue it, it's easier to rest and listen than to stare at my screen.

I believe losing her husband is what made her become a recluse. It seems a lot of hoarders are dealing with grief. Also many people who grow up poor and become wealthy fear becoming poor again. They know what it's like to be poor and don't want to go back to it. I think that's likely one of the reasons she invested her money wisely and became afraid of losing it after the the panic of 1907. I don't think she was greedy. I think she was just fearful. Glad she lived such an amazing life with a man who really loved her before she locked herself away. The fact that she kept herself locked away for so long is so sad. Loved the video. Thank you for sharing her story.

So they dug up her sister’s remains to see if she had anything valuable buried with her? Wasn’t that illegal, let alone immoral back then? 🧐

I loved this and your voice when reading the stories of history of which little is known or cared about. I don't read as fast before the script has passed. These stories are so interesting

Love it narrated, Thank you..

The voice narration was very good.The low modulated tone was soothing to the ear. Very nice story. Thank you, I have subscribed!

This was excellent. Your narration and presentation of this woman's life was exquisite. I just subscribed. So rare to find real quality. Thank you.

I like your voice. It goes well with your subject.

I much prefer the narration, as I listen while I'm working. Thank you it was a great story.

perfect voice and pace, very interesting, and not 'sensationalist' like a lot of the stuff nowadays. I hope you're in good health these pandemic times... I'm an older person and I appreciate genuine stories. Thank you.

I love the narrated version!! Sometimes I can't read fast enough, or have to look away and miss some. This was Great!! I loved this story!!

The best narration I’ve heard actually on RU-vid. Lol

The narrator was a perfect choice. Clear, crisp diction and thoughtful modulation. He gave this twisted, well-written tale another for a casebook of human behavior. Appreciate all the talent involved here.

Loved the voice narration--good Aussie accent--and also the music. Blinking heck. She was virtually telling him, before they'd even met, that she was up to an affair even though he was happily married. In other words, poor women without education or connections thought--or knew--their only hope for a decent future was through sexual connections. But she was still a teenager at that point, so awareness of better values through life experience wasn't possible. Where did all this get her? Stuck inside a hotel suite for 24 years. She had accumulated wealth, but it owned her. She didn't own it.

Loved it all! Your videos never cease to delight and educate your viewers. Keep up the wonderful work.

Enjoyed this story, she never gave up her fear of not having enough I guess. Nice pictures and film clips. 👌👍

Thank you for sharing this fascinating story in your wonderful voice! No one could have told Ida's story better.

I love hearing you speak the way you tell the stories I sit back close my eyes and just listen what I don’t understand is how can anyone give a thumbs down to hearing your stories that’s just mind-boggling to me keep up the good work

I was listening to some other person's video as I was up to date with this one. Couldn't take it. Came back to re-hear yours. You are a cut above others, Oddie

I liked the voice over. I liked the whole way that this was done.

Your presentations are binge-worthy

The voice and slides are appreciated

Absolutely fascinating. And I definitely prefer the narrated versions. The narrator has a very rich voice, which adds to the atmosphere of the stories. So well done.

wow what a beautiful story. its sad all those people tried desperstely hard to steal her money at the end when she was still alive, but this is a story of triumph and success and beauty and grace. well done ida. what an inspiration. thank you for telling us this story and love you ida xxxx

I love listening to your stories. Your voice and the research takes me back to what we’re time of the story. I could listen to you all day.

I’ve just come across this absolute gem! I was transfixed to ever aspect of the story, the story teller had the right timbre to his voice. This is a story I will remember for a very long time. Many many thanks for your work.

Voice narrative is brilliant...not too slow not to fast, nice tone, almost bed time story type, soothing, thank you!

LOVE your channel. can i ask that eventually you narrate all your vids? anyway awesome work on all these :)

Your work always leaves me thirsty for more. Your creative use of sepia tones to set the mood, time appropriate photos, historically accurate dollhouse, typeface, you leave nothing undone, perfection. Then your story telling is superb and voice is unmatched. We're very lucky to have you. Thank you for your hard word. I greatly appreciate your effort.

Is always nice to hear someone reading to you. I enjoy it very much. Thank you and GOD BLESS YOU 🙏🙏

Binge watching your videos 😊 keep your voice narrator, love it 😊

I love the style of narration! It was a sad ending, BUT... I think she was one smart woman!!

I am glad his greedy relations got none of her wealth. It went to the proper people. I felt sorry for Ida though, she could have done so much with her life but it was totally wasted living in this room. Love the stories you tell and particularly like the narration.

The reason I watch is to hear your narration. It is wonderful. You have a terrific gift.

What an amazing story! Such a forward thinking woman- love her strength and determination. Your attention to detail & relaxing narration make for a perfect combination. Thanks, Oddie, for all your hard work........

I think the narration is great, befitting for such wonderful stories. The music is good too.

Thank you. I really enjoy your narration. Sometimes, I would rather just listen to a story.

I just wanted to say I really enjoyed everything about the video. I thought it was incredibly well put together your voice is perfect for it the pictures are wonderful, everything was great and I look forward to hearing more of them.

What a sad story...

I like the narration.Thanks.

Love to hear your voice as you read. Love to hear the history of ones from years ago.

I love your channel Oddie! The story telling is amazing and I can tell you put a lot of time and effort into the music and visuals. Subscribed for life!