The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-06-08
Funeral of Arte mus Ward, at WATER
E..rl


To the Editor Of the Press: -Hh ss4 in ~.
The town of Waterford located among the
picturesque highlands of Oxford county, is the
birth place of Charles f. Brow NJ kno wn to the
world as Artemus Ward. In thi beautiful
little village-a gem among the mountains
the quiet residents met Thursday, the 9th in
slant, to pay the last tribute to the mortal re-
mains of one who has been very aptly termed
the gentle humorist. The clergyman of the
village church, Rev. Mr.. Douglass, being in
feeble health and confined to the house, was
not able to attend the funeral services, and the
melancholy duty fell upon Rev. Mr.. Rice of
South Waterford. There was large gather
ing of the friends and full attendance of the
relatives of the deceased. Mr.. Brown leaves
widowed and childless mother, to whom he
has ever proved kind, affectionate and duti-
tul son; in tact, kindness, gentleness, and geni-
atty were the prominent home characteristics
of "Artemus." He had many warm and ardent
friends and admirers in his native town, i1 q
4 brother of Mr. Brown-Mr. Cyrus Brown
well known as an able writer and keen
satirist, died about three years ago. His uncle,
DR.. Calvin Farrar--brother of Mrs. Brown
who was well known through the State as an
enthusiastic advocate of the Temperance
cause, and the former proprietor of the Water
ford Water-Cure now owned and conducted
by DR.. ShattiIck of Boston-died some six
Years ago. The near living relatives of Mr.
Brown were Mrs. Eastman wife of one the
heavy wholesale dealers of Boston and sister
of Mrs. Brown and three uncIes, brothers of
his father. Mr.. Browns father died while he
was still a lad .-...e .sr .,.e..t
Ihe remains of "Artemus Ward" came to
waterford on Wednesday the 9Th instant,
from New York, in charge of Messrs L.. G.
Robinson and III. Maxfeld-his Waterford ex-
ecutors-both much loved friends and school
mates. With these came also his little nooe
George, who has ever remained with the hodv
of his kind friend and patron. 1t was a sad
sight to see the little fellow walking by the side
OF the widowed mother, and casting lingering
look upon the coffin that contained all that
was mortal of one who was to him the best
friend on earth
A note which the lad brought with him from
the undertaken in London, led the friends and
relatives to expect that little or no appearance
OF decay would be found upon opening the
CONN. In this they were disappointed The
BODY was not embalmed, though efforts had
been made to prevent decomposition The
collins of which there were four. were enclosed
In a large box or case, marked "From Wildwood
~ Co., London - Sculpture Handle with
case. Upon removing the cover an oakep
coffin was seen, with covering of black broad
cloth, thickly studded with large Headed blacl,
nails, in double rows, giving an appearance of
paneling in the arrangement Upon the sides
of the coffin were eight black handles rnon
the top of the coffin was large brass nlato 10
by 10 inches, reading Charles +. Brown aood
80 years, known to the world as Artem,s
Ward" there were also upon the lid two
wreaths with the initials SIR. /, p" Rest in
Peace, and cluster of decayed flowers. Remoy-
ing the lid eaden coffin was carefully found
soldered and Theoretically sealed; this being
cut away the zinc coffin followed, and then the
shell or inner coffin. Upon removing the lid
OF TINS the remains was exposed to view, the
features natural, but discoored, and If was too
plain that decomposition had commenced its
work. 1t was not deemed expediept to exnose
the remains to the view of the friends and rela-
tives; disinfectantS were used to neutralize the
gases evolved, and the coffins were immedi-
ately closed Much has been said and written
of Artemus Ward, but those who knew him
best loved him most. H,