Harry Coumnas was an incredibly rich man and yet a miser. Despite his vast wealth, he would never spend money on an office and instead would prefer conducting business sitting on the floor of his bank. He would take lengthy detours on his way back from bank to his home. For the longest time, he was referred to as ‘the Ghost of Wall Street’ and a rumor stating he only ate oatmeal warmed over his radiator to avoid the coal expenses involved in running a stove made rounds.

Some other absurd stories about him state how Harry Coumnas went to return a 10-cent broom he had bought years before when its bristles wore out and how he had tried setting his son’s broken leg himself. He agreed to pay for medical care only when his son’s leg became infected and had to be amputated.

His immense frugality at the expense of his own child’s health has definitely helped him top the list of the most absurd.

About Harry Coumnas

Harry Coumnas was born the son of a prosperous whaling family and later married a millionaire. He was a weird man who negotiated a prenuptial contract to keep the couple’s finances strictly separate and there was no retaliation from his wife either. However, they filed for a divorce when Harry observed that the bank was using his money as if it was hers.

Harry had been extremely careful with money all his life, thanks to his modest inheritance and a few tips his grandfather shared with him while on his death bed. He accumulated a huge sum through equity and commodities trading.