Refusing To Sell Out

One of Assignment America's more memorable reports was about a woman who stubbornly refused to sell her house, even as a giant building went up around her. The story's taken another twist. Steve Hartman reports.

[@alexk1682]

Now that’s how you do a news story. Refreshing.

[@thomaspayne6866]

How CBS has changed.

[@loudmouf9246]

A n g e l o So true. How journalism has lost its standards.

[@BonGrips]

The cbs Sunday’s are still like this, always good stories on there

[@klutz3955]

I thought this was the onion... I expected a twist at any moment

[@Gogglesofkrome]

back when the news wasn't completely conglomerated and owned by shekelberg and co.

[@slowspecv69]

Crazy how that house at one point was probably in the middle of nowhere.

[@sdavis2678]

And now it is literally in the middle of a building hahaha

[@chasesteele]

It's actually right in downtown Ballard by the lake

[@chasesteele]

Beautiful location

[@frankunderwood2214]

Want your mind blown? It still is

[@shaynewilliams4482]

I think I'm one of the only people to get that Up joke 😂 unless I'm reading into it wrong

[@DXgood22]

10 years later KZbin recommends me this video

[@Martin-vu1do]

The great algorithm in the sky is a mystery to all.

[@AS-jy6pf]

A decade of KZbin algorithms improvement trust me Jquery was a thing back then

[@biggitybaked7017]

Right? I just for it too. Hahah

[@sgtbuttersworth]

Right me too

[@Exhonerated]

everyone that upvoted this should watch it. learn something old because today it's new

[@dellydellll]

makes you think how many old people are out there all alone

[@xTheBossRules]

A large ammount

[@Peglegkickboxer]

@@ChristianBaleNutjob well looking at another angle, so many young people these days don't want to have a family or kids, you get couples or singles well into their 40s like this. What happens when they reach her age? There's a lot more elder people these days with kids than there will be in the future.

[@Bluecolty]

I'm in high school and I work in a retirement community for my afternoon job. There are a lot of people that are surprisingly spunky but there are just as many like this lady. Sad, depressed, and lonely.

[@gasstationcustomerarmyfail9683]

mio mia who cares about u? nobody? Lol 😂 wonder why

[@heartofjustice6041]

Its a tough world son man up

[@beaulieu4008]

This isn't just a story about a little old lady who refused to sell her house, but about how people can find a common ground. It's a story about sharing, not about refusal.

[@austindavis3583]

Damn so you watched this when it came out

[@SuperYtc1]

It’s a story of evil and greed. How one prick can selfishly build around someone’s home, and then take their property.

[@NitroCorn]

I love these OG comments.

[@genesis6567-]

@@SuperYtc1 he might of poisoned her. Greedy bastard

[@malcolmholmes2596]

In that case, what if the developers and lady came up with a even better deal. She lets them demolish the house but gets a transferable 99 year lease on a unit or units in the building, free utilities etc. This way, lady keeps her sense of ownership, old house doesn't stick out like a sore thumb and in the future the unit could be re-purposed back into the commercial lot. Maybe she would refuse the deal anyway but who knows.

[@terrikukla5017]

That man who helped her to the end was very kindhearted. That's good to know that even though it must have been difficult, he took care of her.

[@masonthunkwell9786]

Wrong, he was manipulating her to put him into her will and once he managed that, he killed her off so they could put in that last 1000 square feet of the LA Fitness.

[@DragonBorn]

@@masonthunkwell9786 I'm glad someone else saw through his evil plan!

[@doma7572]

what the hell you guys...

[@DragonBorn]

@FactsForDayz are you being serious?

[@erikkollar66]

@@DragonBorn Well, he is right.

[@jlw1492]

The is so much like the film UP Xx

[@TERI-B]

J LW So true

[@sweetcandy16_gaming23]

it was based on it

[@narata1541]

@@sweetcandy16_gaming23 True. A few days after this video, the homeowner collected so many balloons from the reporter that the house literally floated in the sky. It eventually went around the world and landed back in the same place. And in case anyone was wondering if she was accompanied by an Asian boy, she didn't. It was Pixar who added him in to make it interesting.

[@benignrabbit1882]

OMG exactly what i was thinking lol

[@yahboysmoo2577]

J LW yeah this is actually based on the film

[@rayjohnson2768]

So basically the movie “up” before up was up

[@lasquish552]

Ray Johnson except the part where the balloons lift the house off the ground

[@doesobamacare]

This is the house that the movie is based on, no joke

[@Moizsh10]

@@doesobamacare It looks super like the one in the movie. Makes sense

[@honestabe5153]

Yes

[@honestabe5153]

@@doesobamacare dayum

[@skyblue9991]

She looks like the type that would refuse to sell her house. Lol

[@Stevebutami]

James you’d be right about that in fact she didn’t sell the house

[@skyblue9991]

Hey look! Two dumbasses that didn't get the joke. Lmao

[@roadrailn]

It would’ve cost half a million for the moving company to delicately pack all her priceless trinkets and place them in the correct spot at her new house

[@TrueGritProductions]

Rumor has it she was still waiting for her war bonds to mature and Captain America went back in time so he could date her

[@banger2998]

James I mean I 100% understand why she didn't want to move she was old and had lived there all her life what could she have done with 1 million dollars anyway.

[@sean3533]

The man who built the walls around the house, now owns the house. 😢

[@vinegarlegate24]

???

[@kage3587]

@@vinegarlegate24 the guy who took care of Edith (the old lady whos house it was) was the construction site manager for building what i assume is a mall and cant recheck because im on my phone.

[@hpistole1342]

He was just the manager. Not the owner of the company

[@ousarlxsfjsbvbg8588]

H Pistole who said he was the owner of the company?

[@slurmsmckenzie.]

Ousarlxs Fjsbvbg Harold did

[@eddiejay9407]

CBS 10 years ago: Refusing to Sell Out CBS now:

[@edwardbell8771]

Perfect

[@ceiling771]

Where did it go all wrong

[@xxeye4u2c64]

Grandma meme

[@Annihilasian]

*Jeffrey Epstein noises*

[@eddiejay9407]

@Source90000 pipe down cbs shill

[@kameroncross1753]

What a great man. He stepped up he didn’t ask questions he just did what he knew was right and took care of business.

[@ibi1453]

it's 3 AM, I have school at 8 and I'm watching old CBS interviews

[@nonir670]

I just looked at the time after reading your quote. It's 2:52am and I have wirk in the morning.

[@hazkandi388]

Guys please get good sleep :( it’s not healthy to get less than 5 :( or hopefully y’all nap too

[@marcsmith2717]

My man living the life

[@Cyfer_Batman]

Be STROONNGG BROTHA!!!

[@gtamonkey3061]

School starts at 8 am but you actually have to get up for the bus at 5 because it comes at 6:30... lmao this is my case.

[@ulisesmiranda7965]

Is this where the movie “UP” got it’s idea from?

[@Jockesse]

Nope. Darude - Sandstorm.

[@faceless_lurker]

Look up 'nail houses'

[@soppingwetburgers6493]

Who is joe?

[@Garebeare]

Soppingwet Burgers joe mama

[@SGprooo]

Slowpoke Rodriguez ohhhhhhh shit waddup

[@dzeliongurung3218]

...Barry was the closest thing to family Édith had, a responsibility he took barry seriously...

[@viralone3373]

God, the haircuts, cars, look so different just a decade later.

[@MegaMisterSir]

Wait till a decade from now.

[@user-vi4xy1jw7e]

Doesn't really look that much different. Lol

[@misaelespinosa4467]

Christian B yeah it looks pretty much the same honestly lmao

[@mutalix]

Seems the same to me.

[@highvickypie6187]

Everything looks the same except for the quality of the video

[@jamesjordan201]

Good on you man. some things are not sell-able.

[@no_spinbear5349]

This man is a saint. May the Lord Remember this man in His Kingdom, now and ever. And unto ages of ages. Amen.

[@donb2527]

Amen

[@TheWazzoGames]

Amen

[@tramenari]

God doesn't exist btw. Sorry.

[@no_spinbear5349]

Tracy Mendiola “God doesn’t exist.” Jodi Foster character from Contact “Oh but he does.” Matthew M. character “Prove it.” “Well, did your father love you?” “Of course he did!” “Prove it.” I always loved that. I was once doubtful of Gods existence. Then my son was born.

[@donb2527]

@@tramenari More of a way to show gratitude and emotion than to be indoctrinated by a culture. depends which religion you follow, also you don't have to be religious to follow a religion, a lot of things in the scriptures is just telling you how to live a good and purposeful life. But you know.. whatever floats your boat, i was in your shoes once.

[@dreamerjs]

I totally know where that house is! I used to walk by it every day when I worked around the corner from it. I saw her from time to time working on her yard. I say good for her not giving in!

[@0man583]

hey

[@frobert911]

Christian William Yeah, you can find it if you search up “Edith Macefield House” on Google Maps.

[@CJbrinkman602]

@Christian William yep looks like it's been falling apart so they put plywood up and gutted the interior

[@justinf.5688]

Damn this comment was commented 10 years ago. And here I am replying to it, feels rather weird.

[@iamnormalandcanbetrusted]

Amazing person. Being a manager for those huge projects takes a huge toll on your body and personal life, and care taking for someone else like that must have been killer for him. Great guy for sure

[@TamTran-xw6go]

Money can't buy everything..

[@ambermessmer-simpson7346]

Correct, it was about the emotional and mental, it was about the heart. That man is going to have a special place by the savior when he is called.

[@robertbates6249]

BS

[@trolololololololololololol6124]

Kirk Bates think bout it, why would an 89 year old year old women with no family want 1 million dollars.

[@ddebenedictis]

@@trolololololololololololol6124 especially since she would have to move...which is hard work at any age but almost unthinkable for her.

[@robertbates6249]

@@trolololololololololololol6124 I think any age would want that

[@FBI-ke2nd]

This footage looks very 90s, even though it’s only 10 years old

[@dukenukem8381]

Americans are veeeeeeeeeeeery slow on updating anything. Even now USA police car camcorder footage looks like VHS , and russians used full hd camcorders since around 2010-ish

[@Cincy32]

I think nearly anyone who lived through the entire 90s would disagree.

[@roddydykes7053]

Starving African I kinda miss these simple times, even though it was right in the middle of a housing crash... didn’t bother me being a teen up in Canada lol

[@tuanseattle]

srthellcat707 that is a dumb comment. Me and my roommate in college had a 42 inches Full Hd 1080 tv for $600 and we played Mass Effect 1 and 2 on it. It was 2009. This really looks like 90s footage. Even Friends looked better. In 2009 we already have HD for a few years. Crysis was released in 2007-2008 and it looked good. In fact footage from 2009 should look similar to non 4K contents these days.

[@NitroCorn]

I believe this story is around 19 years old.

[@nailbitter310]

They should save that house as a symbol of strength and resistance.

[@topcomment3816]

nailbiter310 There is nothing strong about refusing an above-market offer for your property. More like a symbol of stubbornness and stupidity.

[@kylealexander6861]

Nah. It's an eye sore. Tear it down.

[@JuanLopez-kk9wi]

@@topcomment3816 well what do you expect she was old she didn't have much time what would she do with the money the man who now owns the home is a manager of a construction company he's not hurting for money not every thing in the world is about money you honestly just seem like a young adult or kid that probably hasn't even worked a day in his life but that's just a assumption.

[@topcomment3816]

Juan Lopez You are right. That is just an assumption. An incredibly dumb one, in fact.

[@topcomment3816]

Juan Lopez What could she do with the money???? Feed starving children? Help families in need in the area? Donate it to research the condition she was diagnosed with? But no, instead we have a stupid eyesore right in the middle of a commercial complex. All because granny Merle couldn’t think of someone other than herself. Yes, she really deserves a trophy for this one. 😆

[@rws91942]

Yes that house is still there, although it appears to not be in the same condition. It's still spared being wrecked.

[@obsrt453]

Laurel Dunn-Scott where is it

[@saturn2663]

Good to know. Corporations don't have to own everything

[@vacciniumaugustifolium1420]

"The house of everyone is to him as his castle and fortress" Sir Edward Coke, 1628

[@melissareid640]

Wow. 💝🙏💝 to honor her wishes and her steadfast commitment to love and did on her terms. Beautiful tough old gal. I admire her story. And her friendship to the contractor of all people.

[@yourerightbro8807]

I’m just putting in my comment to get this video recommended to me in 2029 and will be surprised that I left a comment 10 years ago.

[@savagecomments9195]

Me too If we’re alive then

[@drdeimos6634]

Same

[@Alexzw92]

Can I get a +1 on this?

[@dominickmasonry3878]

The reporter looks like the killer in “no country for old men”.

[@tyler-ou5eb]

Poopy Face Tomato Nose Yea he does lol

[@jakewilliams5679]

Jeezek y’all blind af. No he doesn’t.

[@jimbobhk2009]

Dominick Masonry “that’s a dead dog”

[@tyler-ou5eb]

Jake Williams sped

[@jameswilliams2481]

“What’s the most youve ever lost in a coin toss?”

[@AJHDuk]

Straight up recommended this 10 years after the news came out, it's been history for ages

[@xXdoesitstartXx]

I looked up "LA Fitness Seatle" on Google Maps and went to streetview... the house is now a very depressing site to look at.

[@videosofinterest9227]

Yeah what the hell they even stole the siding that place must have been robbed blind

[@topcomment3816]

Gill Bates Saw it too. She should’ve taken the money

[@johnathanlemus5584]

jk47joey women in general

[@MuchLoveMa]

I love the movie "Up". May she rest in peace.

[@Obi-Wan_Kenobi]

I have arrived at this video 10 years late but I am glad I made here eventually. :'-)

[@RageUnchained]

Hello there!

[@dezcaughtit3714]

I see u everywhere general kenobi

[@Menaceblue3]

I don't like sand...

[@trademarktm6905]

Cool guy ',:)

[@NitroCorn]

This video was uploaded in 2009, and we got recommended this video in 2019.. So I'm commenting now to say hello to anyone in 2029! Hopefully the world is improving. I wonder if I'll be married or have kids by then?

[@SeanGhaeli]

"seems the owner still isn't ready to sell" heavy stuff

[@jesusfranco4571]

Times change and no one likes that. What a beautiful story of a good semeritan. My neighbor was 98 and her name was Frances, when my family started to notice her slowly departing we couldn't believe that her time was closing in. Her dead beat family only visited her when she was dying although it was more like a chore, I had only seen them about twice and she was my neighbor for 15 years plus. my mom was not but would act as her care taker because her real care taker showed up once a month. never did her heartless family express gratitude. And her lovely beautiful sister, 1 year younger would be active everyday to care for her sister even though she had gained many disabilitys from her age. They died the same year and Frances was 99 and Dorothy her sister was 98. I loved them like my family because do to my situation I can't visit my real grandparents so she provided much comfort to us immigrants that had no English speaking people in their lives. I hope when I'm old that I have caring people around me😭

[@barbaraadams8347]

I am so happy that she stayed and the gentleman helping her is an angel!

[@rachelgibson1858]

Reminds me of the Movie UP

[@JAY1892]

That was my first thought. 👍

[@marcustaofiHTTR]

Exactly same thought

[@princessmarlena1359]

I know, right?

[@theMcWOPPER]

There was one balloon in the whole clip. I don't see any comparison.

[@ethancastaneda3017]

theMcWOPPER bruh are you serious 🤣 have you seen the movie it’s not about the balloons

[@JG-tt4sz]

Ill bet those huge walls really cut into her heating costs.

[@franciscogallegos5492]

I mean it’s Seattle

[@jokesinyourpants]

My goodness I started bawling at the end. What a beautiful and tear jerking video.

[@teezwilliams22]

I love this! Just shows how some ppl can never be bought, some ppl wouldn’t sell their soul for all the money in the world! I guarantee this was a super loyal lady! Can’t put a price on bein able to look yourself in the mirror and kno that nobody and no money could sway u on your beliefs and values! Rest In Peace! Wish more nowadays was like u!!

[@americopedroni6837]

Human compassion is rare treasure these days.

[@trulireventeit]

I was expecting thousands of balloons to pop up.

[@jreverie7018]

Thx recommended, beautiful story. Rest easy Edith!

[@BillyAlabama]

What a heartwarming beautiful story.

[@yeetz3508]

damn who's cutting onions in my recommended

[@FloridaMan69.]

sorry i farted

[@giddeonlazarus2093]

I'm surprised they didn't 'accidentally demolish the house when she was away.

[@Demon09-_-]

At her age and condition she was probably never away. And having a old lady murdered by whops we smashed her house probably is not great publibicity

[@MadparkWorld]

I'm surprised this is stupid comment is the only thing you have to say about this story.

[@DueySR]

@@MadparkWorld Exactly. That'd be so stupidly illegal it'd shut the entire development down.

[@wilrobles9824]

Wonderful story. Wonderful man.

[@ffrreeddyy123456]

Literally the best story on KZbin and it’s ten years old.😭💛

[@LylyCSM2]

At 2:15, you can see something shaped like corn hanging on the shelves. It's a small bowl to put buttered corn in and there's a whole set of them with salt and pepper shakers even, and I totally have the same thing!

[@bigv6724]

For funsies I'd mount a ton of balloons on the roof every anniversary of the movie Up.

[@nathaniel-kren]

It's nice to see this...a little proof that even in disagreement, we can still get along. Not everything must be a war, and not everyone is inconsiderate and selfish. Sometimes we just need to look from the perspective of others, and we'll realize that we all have different needs and wants, be we can make them all work together with a little compassion and sacrifice.

[@gibbg767]

Yes. This is what i need to watch. Thank

[@moses_made_it]

Granny must’ve been giving him the gums 😭

[@PapiDooke]

Adam Mohamed 💀💀💀💀💀

[@tvojslauf]

I like how they surrounded her with bare concrete walls instead of dressing them up.

[@deanslegos1990]

Ohhh yeeahhh

[@giovanisoprano5161]

Beautiful story.

[@ConstantThrowing]

Not what I expected. Great piece of picture

[@hitopsful]

This reporter looks like a short haird anton sigur from no country for old men

[@aymarafan7669]

@connor bailey Don’t recall that character particularly fond of elderly people.

[@danielleighton4161]

What is someone in their eighties gonna do with a million dollars?

[@DurkMcGerk]

Hookers and coke

[@DOI_ARTS]

She is a lady asswipe

[@DurkMcGerk]

Doi Librero They got dude hookers

[@theuglykwan]

Get the best healthcare, hire a round the clock carer etc.

[@Milkra]

Doi Librero guy hookers and coke

[@retromoto9456]

Great story!

[@spiritualseekeramor]

What a kind soul.

[@gaijinguineapig]

Edith was so punk rock. Awesome story.

[@Obi-Wan_Kenobi]

Not only does this story seem exactly like UP, this video was also published the exact same year UP came out!

[@ajg8600]

This is such a great story.

[@BarefootIguana]

What a good man. Good for you Barry.

[@fiasco1770]

She's gonna fly the house to Paradise Falls.

[@PlanetXtreme]

Well, she was, now he will.

[@ricosiahaan5036]

this is "UP"

[@ARCANGEL5210]

Thank you ... I love you and Happy birthday mommy.

[@x105w5]

I was not ready to cry

[@chimairatool]

Damn good story!

[@nickorr1880]

Reminds me of the children's book The Little House.

[@liamgallivan3061]

same 😭

[@princessmarlena1359]

Nick Orr that was a good one!

[@cattsmahal1005]

"Register my gift". WHAAAA HAAAAA! That was so funny.

[@jessicarabbit2850]

Loving story. 😘

[@babaganabal]

the old lady died :( good bless her soul...

[@youwantthat_7170]

babaganabal That’s sad.

[@topcomment3816]

babaganabal Yep we saw the video

[@depravedsouls9975]

You guys realize his comment is 10 years old right

[@IdiotBoxProductionsTV]

J- Trax facts crazy

[@rich2rock]

We need more events like this in real life.

[@everythingisoverrated3942]

I have diabetes

[@ryanwillis2513]

This is an extremely touching story

[@fredsalfa]

Love that what a beautiful story

[@eddiepayne9431]

Sweet story

[@joethahobo]

what's up everyone? Hows October 2019 going for yall?

[@kristiankeller6590]

its ending

[@ESport211]

you're an idiot!

[@michaelalando]

Great for me in here in Nairobi joethehobo. You?

[@hugogonzalez1749]

It was airtight but November will be better! Gravy and Turkey galore 😋

[@joethahobo]

@@hugogonzalez1749 and Disney+ and the Mandalorian! Not to mention Jedi Fallen Order

[@Cherriheart]

God this story hit me right in the heart 😥

[@alcapone868]

Wow that is such a great story.

[@jasoncaric]

Well, what the hell is an 80 something year old gonna do with a million dollars? I wouldn’t have sold it either.

[@BeachsideHank]

Party with the 'Pleasure Boys' in Jamaica, what else?

[@zachprouty8595]

But a property, artillery and hire artillerymen and she'll em out

[@errhka]

Hookers and blow

[@piglette0928]

Didn’t think of it that way

[@PL3690]

KZbin algorithm bringing us together again. See you again in 10-15 years!

[@porkpistol3346]

Now that is compassion.

[@Dewdaahman]

Bless her heart..

[@jettisone]

And once agian, the KZbin brings us together for another vid from 10 years ago....

[@cesarcueto1995]

And the millionth time someone comments on it

[@kimjongun2730]

2009 be lookin like 1979

[@bogey19018]

What a awesome story.

[@akuro6470]

I remember seeing this house when I was a kid. Funny to see it brought back up

[@MrThomasTuba]

Reminds me of the movie Up!

[@FloridaMan69.]

your comment is old

[@its2frikkingamgotosleep466]

Look for a partner like Edeth ... when robbing a bank

[@JG-dt2ub]

Very amazing man

[@GtsAntoni1]

Well that's my heart broken, thanks 👍

[@imober73]

Help the old lady for a couple of months and she leaves him a small fortune.

[@andresreyes5398]

He sold it for $310,000 in 2009 wouldn’t call that a small fortune but yeah good money for lending a helping hand

[@CaptainCocaine]

@@andresreyes5398 310 grand ain't chump change. What the hell are you on about? Small fortune is _exactly_ what I would call it!

[@jasonr6342]

Andres Reyes that’s literally a small fortune dumbass

[@twisto]

is this suppose to be like Up?

[@ericsalidbar1693]

That's where they got the idea

[@josephmeetstravel9762]

Touching story

[@perkins9792]

reminds me of a same situation back in the 1970's when an older lady would not sellout to Macys on Queens Blvd in NYC because her dog needed the yard to run around in. She passed away and eventually her house came down and now there is a bank there. 40°44'08.5"N 73°52'31.1"W

[@ericklod7238]

So This is what inspired the movie UP by Pixar ?

[@blondie7240]

What a grouch

[@u.s.m.c.fewproudthemarines2987]

Very SAD AND BEAUTIFUL

[@deanishere7237]

And god bless her for standing her ground !!!