HAMILTON, N.Y. (AP) — For decades, Miles “Burt” Marshall was the man you went to see in a stretch of upstate New York if you had some money to invest but wanted to keep it local.

Working from an office in the charming village of Hamilton, down the road from Colgate University, Marshall prepared taxes and sold insurance. He also took money for what was sometimes called the “8% Fund,” which guaranteed that much in annual interest no matter what happened with the financial markets.

His clients spread the word to family and friends. Have a retirement nest egg? Let Burt handle it. He'll invest it in local rental properties and your money will grow faster than in a bank.

Marshall was friendly and folksy. He gave away gift bags with maple syrup, pickles and local honey in jars labeled with cut

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