1915
Infidel Writes Own Funeral Oration — Wants His Ashes Cast on Graves of Friends
SHENANDOAH, Iowa, Dec. 16. — Cremated and half his ashes cast on the waters of the Mississippi in honor of those who have gone down to their death in the deep, and the other half scattered on the graves of ten of his friends, is what Jerry Brown, a famous Shenandoah character who professes to be an infidel, states in his funeral oration, which he has already written, he wishes done with his body.
"But should the Christian story of Heaven and hell be true, and such men as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Lot, David and Solomon be in Heaven, I wish my friends to check my baggage to the other station," says Brown in his funeral document. "Heaven may have a little advantage in climate, but hell certainly has the best society."
The ten friends who this second oldest Shenandoah citizen wishes to honor with his ashes are, Joe Van Buskirk, A. B. West, D. C. Wills, H. S. Holcome, D. S. Campbell, Charles Keenan. Dr. Cheschier, Henry Nesmith, Mrs. David Wingert and D. B. Brubaker.
Showing posts with label cemetery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cemetery. Show all posts
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Huz and Buz
1900
In one of the hill towns of Connecticut Parson Fuller, an eccentric minister of a century ago, is still a living tradition. He was rather austere in voice and manner, and quite imperious enough to suit his sacred profession at a time when a New England minister was expected to be the autocrat of his parish.
A larger church edifice had lately been built, and it happened that the first children to be "presented" in the new meeting-house were the twin baby boys of Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Green. The happy couple felt the distinction of standing at the head of the record, and made every fond preparation.
Mrs. Green, while not exactly a literary woman, conceived herself a little superior to her neighbors on account of the number of books she had read. She had made up her mind what her little boys should be called, and at the appointed time she and her husband and the twins appeared before the minister, ready for the public ceremony.
"What are their names?" asked Parson Fuller, looking at the two infants.
Mrs. Green had carefully conned her lesson, but now she wished she had written it down. The eyes of the congregation were upon her. She was so overawed that she pronounced the names in a half whisper.
"Augustus Gerard Green and Gustavus Gerald Green."
"Speak louder, madam," said the minister.
A glance at her bashful husband convinced the flustered woman that any vocal attempt on his part would be less articulate than her own. Making a brave effort, therefore, she repeated the names.
"Augustus Gerard Green and Gustavus Gerald Green."
"Nonsense, good woman!" said the stern old man, loud enough to be heard by the whole congregation. "These helpless little creatures must not begin life with such a burden. I will christen them out of the Bible, after the two nephews of Abraham."
And christen them he did, with the names of Nahor's sons, "Huz his first-born, and Buz his brother."
The mortified young parents, after a season of secret rebellion, submitted to the inevitable, realizing that, as the matter stood, "Huz" and "Buz" would stick to the boys beyond recall. Indeed, it is asserted that the queer names became such a "drawing card" for the Green family that not only curious visitors rode long distances to see the twins, but a leading citizen of the next town hired Timothy to run his grist-mill, and his wife to keep school in the mill-chamber. Huz and Buz would attract customers to the combination, he said.
And so it proved. The prosperity and popularity of the father and mother increased apace, we are told, and the twin boys grew to be respected and useful men. One survived the other to old age, but the single stone — now crumbled away — that marked both their graves in the country burial-ground bore, besides the dates, only the simple inscription: "Huz Green, and Buz his brother." — Youth's Companion.
In one of the hill towns of Connecticut Parson Fuller, an eccentric minister of a century ago, is still a living tradition. He was rather austere in voice and manner, and quite imperious enough to suit his sacred profession at a time when a New England minister was expected to be the autocrat of his parish.
A larger church edifice had lately been built, and it happened that the first children to be "presented" in the new meeting-house were the twin baby boys of Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Green. The happy couple felt the distinction of standing at the head of the record, and made every fond preparation.
Mrs. Green, while not exactly a literary woman, conceived herself a little superior to her neighbors on account of the number of books she had read. She had made up her mind what her little boys should be called, and at the appointed time she and her husband and the twins appeared before the minister, ready for the public ceremony.
"What are their names?" asked Parson Fuller, looking at the two infants.
Mrs. Green had carefully conned her lesson, but now she wished she had written it down. The eyes of the congregation were upon her. She was so overawed that she pronounced the names in a half whisper.
"Augustus Gerard Green and Gustavus Gerald Green."
"Speak louder, madam," said the minister.
A glance at her bashful husband convinced the flustered woman that any vocal attempt on his part would be less articulate than her own. Making a brave effort, therefore, she repeated the names.
"Augustus Gerard Green and Gustavus Gerald Green."
"Nonsense, good woman!" said the stern old man, loud enough to be heard by the whole congregation. "These helpless little creatures must not begin life with such a burden. I will christen them out of the Bible, after the two nephews of Abraham."
And christen them he did, with the names of Nahor's sons, "Huz his first-born, and Buz his brother."
The mortified young parents, after a season of secret rebellion, submitted to the inevitable, realizing that, as the matter stood, "Huz" and "Buz" would stick to the boys beyond recall. Indeed, it is asserted that the queer names became such a "drawing card" for the Green family that not only curious visitors rode long distances to see the twins, but a leading citizen of the next town hired Timothy to run his grist-mill, and his wife to keep school in the mill-chamber. Huz and Buz would attract customers to the combination, he said.
And so it proved. The prosperity and popularity of the father and mother increased apace, we are told, and the twin boys grew to be respected and useful men. One survived the other to old age, but the single stone — now crumbled away — that marked both their graves in the country burial-ground bore, besides the dates, only the simple inscription: "Huz Green, and Buz his brother." — Youth's Companion.
Friday, June 22, 2007
"The Ossified Man" — Grave Robbed, Body Missing
1896
After His Affliction Prostrated Him He Became a Methodist Preacher of Wonderful Power
The item appearing in the daily papers narrating how the grave of Edgar Pratt, well known as the "Ossified Man," had been robbed recently caused considerable excitement in the vicinity of Sodus, N.Y., where Edgar Pratt was born, educated, learned his trade, transacted business, and where his widow and her mother at present reside.
Edgar Pratt, says a Soclus letter to the New York Times, was a son of William Pratt, a well-known farmer, who for many years resided on a farm which he owned on the town line road between Williamson and Ontario, south of the "Ridge Road," so called. The family is one of the oldest in Wayne County.
The "Ossified Man" was born in the town of Williamson, was educated at the public schools in that village, and completed his education in Sodus Academy. He was a well-formed young man, bright, and fine looking. He came to Sodus about 1878 and went to work for Charles Delano, learning the trade of carriage trimming. He was not religiously inclined, in which respect be differed very materially from his parents and other members of the Pratt family. While the young man was working at his trade his father sold the farm, and with the family removed to Douglass, Butler County, Kan., the son Edgar accompanying.
The latter secured a position as stage driver. Through exposure on the stage route he contracted rheumatism, which eventually compelled his abandoning that vocation. His condition became critical. He recovered from his illness, and shortly afterward removed to Sodus, where he opened up a carriage trimming establishment. Rheumatism returned, and he was soon prostrated with his old ailment. Medical science was invoked, but nothing could be done. At length, being in destitute circumstances, his brother, Daniel Pratt, came from Kansas and took Edgar out West with him.
Shortly after this, ossification began to set in and the patient suffered untold agony. An exhorter came to Douglass, which was then comparatively destitute of religious influences, and Pratt became converted. He joined the Methodist Episcopal Church and soon became one of the warmest supporters of that denomination. Ossification by that time had become so advanced that the man was taken before a board medical experts in New York City. The case had baffled the skill of all Western physicians who had been consulted. The New York surgeons pronounced the case a most marvelous one in the annals of medical jurisprudence.
An offer of $1000 per year during life and $5000 to the widow at his death, provided Pratt would contract to have his body delivered to the New York medical experts at his death, was spurned, Pratt alleging that his condition was due to an act of Providence. He claimed that he was suffering a just punishment for not improving his talents while young and before being afflicted with disease. His exhortations became so pronounced that his religious admirers built a wagon, in which he lay stretched out rigid as a block of marble.
During the last four years of his life he suffered no pain whatever, but was unable to move a joint. Starvation at one time threatened him, and four of his front teeth were removed, and through the aperture thin liquid food was injected, and thus was life sustained. In his carriage he was taken to camp meetings, where he was the centre of attraction on account of his condition and the earnestness with which he exhorted. It is said that through his instrumentality thousands were converted.
Offers from museums were refused, Pratt insisting that his mission was to convert as many to religion as possible during his remaining days. His faithful wife remained with him until his death, which occurred less than a year ago. Museum managers and physicians, even after Pratt's death, continued to deluge the widow and parents of the ossified man with letters and telegrams offering large amounts for the remains. This so alarmed the father that he declined to allow his son to be buried in the Douglass cemetery, but instead had the body interred in a flower bed in the dooryard beneath the father's window, where he could keep an ever-watchful eye upon it. It happened recently, however, that the father was drawn as a juror at El Dorado, the county seat, and during his absence the ghouls succeeded in robbing the grave.
Viewed from a scientific standpoint the case of Edgar Pratt was one of the most puzzling ever brought before the attention of medical experts. Pratt is believed to have been the only completely ossified man on record.
After His Affliction Prostrated Him He Became a Methodist Preacher of Wonderful Power
The item appearing in the daily papers narrating how the grave of Edgar Pratt, well known as the "Ossified Man," had been robbed recently caused considerable excitement in the vicinity of Sodus, N.Y., where Edgar Pratt was born, educated, learned his trade, transacted business, and where his widow and her mother at present reside.
Edgar Pratt, says a Soclus letter to the New York Times, was a son of William Pratt, a well-known farmer, who for many years resided on a farm which he owned on the town line road between Williamson and Ontario, south of the "Ridge Road," so called. The family is one of the oldest in Wayne County.
The "Ossified Man" was born in the town of Williamson, was educated at the public schools in that village, and completed his education in Sodus Academy. He was a well-formed young man, bright, and fine looking. He came to Sodus about 1878 and went to work for Charles Delano, learning the trade of carriage trimming. He was not religiously inclined, in which respect be differed very materially from his parents and other members of the Pratt family. While the young man was working at his trade his father sold the farm, and with the family removed to Douglass, Butler County, Kan., the son Edgar accompanying.
The latter secured a position as stage driver. Through exposure on the stage route he contracted rheumatism, which eventually compelled his abandoning that vocation. His condition became critical. He recovered from his illness, and shortly afterward removed to Sodus, where he opened up a carriage trimming establishment. Rheumatism returned, and he was soon prostrated with his old ailment. Medical science was invoked, but nothing could be done. At length, being in destitute circumstances, his brother, Daniel Pratt, came from Kansas and took Edgar out West with him.
Shortly after this, ossification began to set in and the patient suffered untold agony. An exhorter came to Douglass, which was then comparatively destitute of religious influences, and Pratt became converted. He joined the Methodist Episcopal Church and soon became one of the warmest supporters of that denomination. Ossification by that time had become so advanced that the man was taken before a board medical experts in New York City. The case had baffled the skill of all Western physicians who had been consulted. The New York surgeons pronounced the case a most marvelous one in the annals of medical jurisprudence.
An offer of $1000 per year during life and $5000 to the widow at his death, provided Pratt would contract to have his body delivered to the New York medical experts at his death, was spurned, Pratt alleging that his condition was due to an act of Providence. He claimed that he was suffering a just punishment for not improving his talents while young and before being afflicted with disease. His exhortations became so pronounced that his religious admirers built a wagon, in which he lay stretched out rigid as a block of marble.
During the last four years of his life he suffered no pain whatever, but was unable to move a joint. Starvation at one time threatened him, and four of his front teeth were removed, and through the aperture thin liquid food was injected, and thus was life sustained. In his carriage he was taken to camp meetings, where he was the centre of attraction on account of his condition and the earnestness with which he exhorted. It is said that through his instrumentality thousands were converted.
Offers from museums were refused, Pratt insisting that his mission was to convert as many to religion as possible during his remaining days. His faithful wife remained with him until his death, which occurred less than a year ago. Museum managers and physicians, even after Pratt's death, continued to deluge the widow and parents of the ossified man with letters and telegrams offering large amounts for the remains. This so alarmed the father that he declined to allow his son to be buried in the Douglass cemetery, but instead had the body interred in a flower bed in the dooryard beneath the father's window, where he could keep an ever-watchful eye upon it. It happened recently, however, that the father was drawn as a juror at El Dorado, the county seat, and during his absence the ghouls succeeded in robbing the grave.
Viewed from a scientific standpoint the case of Edgar Pratt was one of the most puzzling ever brought before the attention of medical experts. Pratt is believed to have been the only completely ossified man on record.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Mourners Chilled at Cemetery
New York, 1911
Correspondent Suggests That a Church Be Heated on Funeral Days.
Highland Mills, Feb. 2, (Special) — Those attending the funeral of M. S. Lent, late of Cornwall, at the Cemetery of the Highlands, yesterday, suffered severely from colds and exposure. The day was blustery with a low temperature making it very trying for the drivers of the funeral coaches as well as for the mourners after they alighted at the cemetery. There was no church service and the church had not been opened or heated.
This state of affairs is liable to occur any day and has been occurring to the great discomfort of funeral parties. In short, on a very cold day those attending a funeral have no place to go to warm themselves, the little office of the superintendent being scarcely able to hold half a dozen at most. One who saw the conditions yesterday has suggested that a small annex could be added to the church, where a furnace could be set agoing on funeral days by one of the cemetery attendants.
—Orange County Times-Press, Middletown, NY, Feb. 3, 1911, p. 10.
Correspondent Suggests That a Church Be Heated on Funeral Days.
Highland Mills, Feb. 2, (Special) — Those attending the funeral of M. S. Lent, late of Cornwall, at the Cemetery of the Highlands, yesterday, suffered severely from colds and exposure. The day was blustery with a low temperature making it very trying for the drivers of the funeral coaches as well as for the mourners after they alighted at the cemetery. There was no church service and the church had not been opened or heated.
This state of affairs is liable to occur any day and has been occurring to the great discomfort of funeral parties. In short, on a very cold day those attending a funeral have no place to go to warm themselves, the little office of the superintendent being scarcely able to hold half a dozen at most. One who saw the conditions yesterday has suggested that a small annex could be added to the church, where a furnace could be set agoing on funeral days by one of the cemetery attendants.
—Orange County Times-Press, Middletown, NY, Feb. 3, 1911, p. 10.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Boy's Gratitude Was Real
1909
Has Long Cared for Grave of Men Who Been Kind to Him Many Years Ago
Rev. John Henri Sattig, pastor of St Philip's church, Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, tells this beautiful story.
"In Milford, Pa., there is an old graveyard, neglected, weed-grown and unkempt. Of all the mounds in that village of the dead only one is cared for. On that the grass is neatly trimmed, flowers bloom and never a weed appears. The visitor who looks upon this evidence of love and devotion amid so many examples of forgetfulness usually asks whose grave it is, and the sexton answers: 'The man whose body rests there had neither chick nor child. Nearly every day for the six years since the man died a boy comes here to 'tend to the grave. Winter and summer he comes. The lad is the butcher boy. The man was the only human being who ever was kind to the boy.' "
Has Long Cared for Grave of Men Who Been Kind to Him Many Years Ago
Rev. John Henri Sattig, pastor of St Philip's church, Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, tells this beautiful story.
"In Milford, Pa., there is an old graveyard, neglected, weed-grown and unkempt. Of all the mounds in that village of the dead only one is cared for. On that the grass is neatly trimmed, flowers bloom and never a weed appears. The visitor who looks upon this evidence of love and devotion amid so many examples of forgetfulness usually asks whose grave it is, and the sexton answers: 'The man whose body rests there had neither chick nor child. Nearly every day for the six years since the man died a boy comes here to 'tend to the grave. Winter and summer he comes. The lad is the butcher boy. The man was the only human being who ever was kind to the boy.' "
Sunday, May 6, 2007
Not Many Reverends Buried in Our Cemetery
Warren, Pennsylvania, 1877
— Rev E. F. Crane, will preach in the Baptist Church, Sunday afternoon and evening next, at the usual hours. He is from Little Falls, N. Y., and the understanding is that he will be secured permanently.
— It is related of a clergyman who received a call to a pulpit at Warren, R. I., that in investigating the question whether previous pastors had been kept for many years, he went into a graveyard and finding that no clergyman were buried there, declined the call.
— We doubt if "Rev." is engraved on many tomb stones in our cemetery. The pulpits of Warren, Pa., have been occupied by men of the best ability in the country, but we have kept them so well that they have always found it necessary to leave here to die.
— Titusville is convulsed with a temperance revival. Temperance is the absorbing subject among all classes.
— Over five hundred persons in Tidioute have signed the temperance pledge.
— The temperance revival widens and deepens every day. It is generally understood that "wine is a mocker and strong drink is" ten cents.
— Francis Murphy, the temperance apostle has a hard job on hand. He goes to Harrisburg soon, thinking to reform that town with a Republican legislature in session.
— "If you have sixty-six winters on your head, you have also sixty-six summers in your heart." The above remark, made by an elderly gentleman, the other day, has enough poetry in it to make it worthy of record.
— There were nine persons added to the Presbyterian Church last Sunday on profession of their faith in Christ. The church now numbers about 280 members. If each individual of this large number should, during the coming year, bring one other person to Christ; and should those thus brought influence others in the same way, how soon would the scripture, "and all shall know Him from the least unto the greatest," be fulfilled in this town. The Sunday School counted, on the last Sabbath, 265, visitors not included. There are six adult Bible classes containing in the aggregate about seventy persons.
—Warren Ledger, Warren, PA, March 22, 1877, p. 3.
— Rev E. F. Crane, will preach in the Baptist Church, Sunday afternoon and evening next, at the usual hours. He is from Little Falls, N. Y., and the understanding is that he will be secured permanently.
— It is related of a clergyman who received a call to a pulpit at Warren, R. I., that in investigating the question whether previous pastors had been kept for many years, he went into a graveyard and finding that no clergyman were buried there, declined the call.
— We doubt if "Rev." is engraved on many tomb stones in our cemetery. The pulpits of Warren, Pa., have been occupied by men of the best ability in the country, but we have kept them so well that they have always found it necessary to leave here to die.
— Titusville is convulsed with a temperance revival. Temperance is the absorbing subject among all classes.
— Over five hundred persons in Tidioute have signed the temperance pledge.
— The temperance revival widens and deepens every day. It is generally understood that "wine is a mocker and strong drink is" ten cents.
— Francis Murphy, the temperance apostle has a hard job on hand. He goes to Harrisburg soon, thinking to reform that town with a Republican legislature in session.
— "If you have sixty-six winters on your head, you have also sixty-six summers in your heart." The above remark, made by an elderly gentleman, the other day, has enough poetry in it to make it worthy of record.
— There were nine persons added to the Presbyterian Church last Sunday on profession of their faith in Christ. The church now numbers about 280 members. If each individual of this large number should, during the coming year, bring one other person to Christ; and should those thus brought influence others in the same way, how soon would the scripture, "and all shall know Him from the least unto the greatest," be fulfilled in this town. The Sunday School counted, on the last Sabbath, 265, visitors not included. There are six adult Bible classes containing in the aggregate about seventy persons.
—Warren Ledger, Warren, PA, March 22, 1877, p. 3.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
