A group of men during the Great Depressiom. Image via Wikipedia Commons.

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After Losing His Friends’ Money, Man Stopped Speaking For 11 Years Until He Paid Them All Back

During the Great Depression, a very quiet man surprised many when he finally broke his silence

Andrew Martin
3 min read4 days ago

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Investing is a tricky business made even more complicated when family and friends ask for your financial backing. If things don’t go well, it can create uncomfortable situations that obviously impact relationships. In the 1920s, a man convinced many close to him to invest in a business belonging to himself and his brother-in-law. Unfortunately, the partner ran away with the money, leaving the other holding the bag. Instead of walking away in shame, he made a vow to not speak again until he had paid everyone back — — a promise he was able to finally fulfill 11 years later.

For years, Marvin Train worked as a mechanic at a garage in Wilmington, Delaware. However, his co-workers knew him as somebody unable to speak. When he needed to communicate, he’d write it down on a piece of paper. Imagine their surprise in 1933 when one day they saw him mail a letter and immediately thereafter, he began to speak.

He explained that back in 1921, he was in business with his brother-in-law in Boston. Believing that they were on to something, if only for some additional financial assistance, he…

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Andrew Martin
Andrew Martin

Written by Andrew Martin

Dabbler in soccer, history, investing & writing. Master’s degree in baseball history. Passionate about history, diversity, culture, sports, film and investing .

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