New-York tribune., 1873-12-19
BURIAL OF JUDGE SAMUEL NELSON At
COOPERSTOWN
sIMrLE AND SOLEMN SERyICES-rHE LAST TRIBUTE
OF AFFECTION TO AN HoNORED JURsT
10y TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l

SMILE AND SOLEMN sERyICES-rHE LAST TRIBUTE
OF AFFECTION TO AN HoNoRED JUmsT.
10y TELEGRAPH TO rRIBUNE.l
COoPERsrOwN, n. Y, Dec. 1S.--The funeral
Of Judge samuel Nelson in village to-day attend
cd with great soemnity. The morning opened dark and
gloomy and early in the day a wet storm sci in
that rendered all outdoor movement exceedingly dsa
greeabe Nevertheless the people from the counry about
begsnarrivng at early hour aud by ~ O'Clock
part OF the county was largely represented The noon
tram from Albany brought the delegation OF tue New
York Bar reinforced by number OF eminent lawyers
aud Judges from Albany and other parts OF the State.
with large deputations from other walks Of life all
gathered 70 pay the last tribute of respect TO the
reyered dead Among the more prominent of the
strangers present Judges Blatchford Woodruff
aud 5hipmsn OF NewYork Rapallo OF the Court OF APP
pe.s George F. Comstock OF Syracuse and Hiram Gray
OF Elmlra; the Hon. Vim. NJ. Warts. f. ". SOughton
II A. Vsnderpoel, Clarence Seward L. G.. Thompson
and others OF NewYork; the Hon. J. V. L. Pruyn Of
Albany, Paul Cooper OF Albany, a sou Of Feni-
moro Cooper, and many others from various
parts OF the country On the arrival Of the train this
large delegation proceeded in body the house TO ook
upon the remains Throughout the forenoon the vii
occupied themselves despite the storm in drapng
thor residences and places OF business. The whole Of
Man-st, from the Courthouse 10 the bridge and
TO the last house the road leading to the
cemetery was hung with black. and several American
fsss similarly drsped were suspended the
thoroughfare. The Courthouse. the hotels, all the
stores the printing offices, banks and nearly all the
places OF business throughout the village were hung In
black The only exceptions TO the general outward dis
play sorrow the residence 0, the Nelson family
aud the parish church where the funeral rites per
formed.
At II O'Clock the residence OF the Jndge was thrown
open for the admission Of those who desired TO look upon
the face the dead for the last time Ii had been in
mated that the corpse would not be exposed at The
funeral aud that the only opportunity for seeing ii
would oe from II to q Ia consequence Of this an
nouucement the house was besieged before II
BY the villagers eager for entrance, aud
"a son "a the doors thrown the throng began
10 pour n continuing uninterruptedy until the hour
approached for the services. Old men and ladies OF
advanced years, neghbors and friends for hall cen
tury mprO yed the bow reverenty over the
familiar form aud drop tear OF sorrow at his side
Young men and women who have grown up under the
fhey smiles Of the good Judge were equally anxious to
manifest their respect this sad occasion Laborer
and artisans also swelled throng. The demonsra
ton was quite informal and homely, but none the less
touching aud significant. The universally Of the hom
age paid was conclusive OF the deep hold Judge
Nelson had upon the affections OF all classes
OF his neighbors and townspeople. The remains
rested upon an mprovised dais in the center OF the re-
ceptiOn the right Of the main entrance hail
They ncased in rectangular burial case of wood
covered black cloth and heavily mounted with sill
yer, On the lid plain silver plate bearing the
inscription, Samuel Nelson born Nov. 49, 1872; dled
Dec. Is. 1873" The body dressed In white merno
gown, neatly faced with white satin. The high
standing collar OF the shirt, secured with a
broad. black silk erayat, precisely as worn
by the Judge'in life, aud gave naturalness TO the
arrangement that rendered it difficult to believe that
the form was !ifeess This dicnltY increased by
the wonderfully life like appearance OF the features.
Tue whole face was as composed and peaceful as If 10
saptle siumber-a picture OF manly health and
streng'h the beauty Of which was only en-.
HANGED by tue familiar silver locks that covered
the head and tne we-whitened though sparse beard
beneath this chm Dignity aud Oeneyoleuce were con
snicuous even IN death The face almost riyaled the
lining Of the casket in whiteness but still 1t did not
seem an unnatural absence Of color There sbso-
Itey nothing in the expression save It's mmobity to
date augt but gentle repose. The floral decorations
,au and about the coffin very numerous ana beau
,i,nl Among them crosses contributed pY Judge
s,i,,u.n and Clarence Seward, an immense upright
go. and an equally massive crown all OF eXquisite
NIT, ho..oms sent from Albany, and NUMBER oi
r nieess all posed OF the rarest and most Deau'
~ obe blossoms, e1quisitey arranged, offerings o
10. .,1 ,gection from various friends
pr.ls.y At o'eLaNk ths village bells began toI'nR