The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-04-20

The first witness called was the plaintiff,
Mr.. Stephen Therry, who told the circum-
stances of the case of the cross-examina-
ton in manner that was quite amusing.
When questioned regarding Mrs. Kel-
loren's instructions, he said:
She told me that she had sent for me to
make arrangements for the funeral, that she
could not depend on any Of her own family to
carry them cut alter her death. She wanted
it arranged and carried out according to her
ownwishes; that she was leaving enough be.
hind for her relatives. She said, you buried
my son and husband, and l am not bit
own wishes. She then told me to get her
q square-ouilt coffin with plenty of room in it.
A Hat frame on top, and upon this frame
round lid, to be put on with hinges and locks.
In this round lid was to come an oval French
plate glass, and over this glass another round
lid to cover it, and also to be fitted with locks
and hinges. told her this French plate glass
was a thing impossible l thought to be got
ready, or if | could get it ready the whole
thing would be of no benefit. l asked her if
she would have it fat. She said "No, she
wanted this affair all round. No matter what
it cost Nor what time it took, she would not be
buried in anything else." (Laughter.1 She
said also that if she died before this coffin was
ready, they would have to keep her until it
was ready, and the expression she used was to
have it trimmed in splendid style inside, and
have coffin got up something that was never
seen in New York before, and probably never
"God knows, I think she got it. !"
[Great laughter.] She said many times
to spare NO expense whatever; that every cent
she made was her own; made the remark
that her children would oppose the idea. She
said no, that they dare not do it; 'swhat right
have they to oppose" she said, "they are
simply to see that my wishes are carried ont;
20 to work and carry it out" She was to
Be put into the lead casket, and that was to be
soldered. In regard to her funeral robe she
told me that she had four ladies who came up
there to see her and talk with her about her
idea of a habit, and that they failed to under
stand her, "they were such stupid things !"
she asked me if could get some woman to
make this habit according to her idea; said
could-that knew lady in this city that
was competent to take any order; she asked
me to get her; the lady came, and was pre-
sent at the giving of part Of these orders.
Q. What was the coffin made Off A. Black
walnut.
@. Do you know what the actual cost of the
black walnut was? A. 1t is not the actual
expense of getting the thing, 1t is the mechan-
ism, the form, the conceiying, the idea; it is
not in the bit of wood itself.
Q. Did you about that time bury any other
person living in house of about that charac-
ter. A. If they were living did not want to
bury them. (Great laughter In having the
plate glass made had to take the risk of
breaking them. / had directions to wait till
one was made If il took a month. The coffin
and glass were under way, and the lady's robe,
before she died.
The jury decided in favor of the under
takers, giving them the full amount of
their bill and costs added