I was driving through an older part of my neighborhood today, and I saw a "Free Firewood" sign, so I pulled over, and followed a series of signs around to the back of a vacant house. There I found a network of stacked mill ends from large dimensional lumber, mostly 4" x 6" x 18". Huge monolithic edifices of solidly packed remnants. Stacks were up to 7ft high. The word "catacombs" came to mind. I estimate there are 30 cords of wood back there stacked between the house and two outbuildings.

As I wandered through them, I encountered and startled a fellow scavenger, who lived very nearby. He told me that the owner of the house, a very old man, had been discovered long dead inside the house this summer.

He said police discovered and valued the old man's armory of rare and vintage firearms and ammunition at $500,000. I noticed, among the wood, two large military ammo cases labeled 50 Cal., so I imagine there could be some truth to the story.

This is the second incident of this type that has come to my attention. The other cache would have been worth less than $500k, but I walked through that house personally, and the floor, with the exception of the kitchen and bathroom(s) was completely littered with rifles to the extent that they were separated by just enough floorspace to make walking possible.

I think its safe to say that some folks around these parts are locked and loaded.