the national newspapers. Maude could not show her face in society and went to Liverpool with her son, and William stuck by her and went to Liverpool too. His father, Robert G. McCrum, thought William would not return and was advised by his American agents to make the firm a public liability with shares in the stock market. It appears William and Maude equally enjoyed a good lifestyle and quickly accumulated debts of over £2,000. William and Maude later returned to Armagh, but in 1903 Maude ran off to the French Riviera with a Major Heard. William lived at Milford House with his father. At this point, Maude was given an allowance by her father-in-law, Robert G. McCrum, provided she didn't divorce William. Her father-in-law stipulated in his Will that she would lose the allowance if she divorced or ever remarried after William's death. Maude waited until 1932 before marrying Major Heard. In 1915, Robert G. McCrum died and William inherited Milford village in Co. Armagh and half the shares in McCrum, Watson & Mercer. The Will stated that William had the right to live at Milford House and use its contents, but if he ceased to live there for more than six months of the year, the property would pass to his sister Mrs. Harriette Miller. He later became Chairman of the firm. He was passionate about scout movement and was Head of the Scout organisation in Northern Ireland. He once said in Armagh Court that the Milford Scout Troop may be mill boys, but they are the best kind of gentlemen. He was friends with Baden Powell and often dined with them. He presented a cup to Armagh Cricket club and was highly thought of. In 1928, he went to the White House as part of delegation of the Northern Ireland linen industry. Decline and Death In 1929, the Wall Street crash hit the fortunes of McCrum, Watson & Mercer hard. It had large business interests in America. The firm collapsed and the Northern Bank seized control of Milford factory and village. In November 1930, the entire contents of Milford House were dispersed at auction. William went to live with his family in England. It was not a great success. His grandson Tony remembers that he could tell within two minutes if you were capable of playing chess or not – William said Tony wasn't, but his brother