This was the only mention of Robert Waddell: It was in Columbia 1817-1822... McLean,in walking up town one morning,accosted Robert Waddell in his store, where Agnew now keeps, with the question whether he had heard of the good fortune just experienced by their mutual friend, Colonel Preston, to which Waddell replied in the negative. McLean then stated that by the death of a relative Colonel Preston had fallen heir to a very large estate, and then continued on his way. Waddell went home immediately, put on his best suit and betook himself to Colonel Preston's, whom he greeted with his heartiest congratulations. Preston asked what he meant, and being told, said "Mr. Waddell. has it not occurred to you that this is the first of April?" Thoroughly disgusted and discomfited, Waddell went home, resumed his work day clothing, and returning to the store, armed himself with an axe-handle, and awaited McLean's reappearance, who called out to him at a distance of twenty yards:"Well, Waddell, have you found out that this is the first of April?" Waddell replied, shaking the stick at him, "It's well for you that you got the first word, or I'd have given you a taste of this shilelah." Hugh McLean delighted in such jokes and in running rigs upon his friends."