The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-09-20

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Correspondence London Tablet. Aug. %
SRI think the following account may in
terest many of yOur readers.
On the 18th inst search was made for DR..
Miners grave. there being no certainty az the
exact spot where he was buried. The old in
was inferred in ordinary grave mot brick i
ed) in his garden near the chapel. In 1896 the
chapel was enlarged, and the foundations of
the new part of the building Were put in over
or sign to mark the place of his burial. Vaults
were built under the chapel. and in one Of
these Mrs. Jane Wheble was buried, Septem-
Der, 1889. This vault was bricked up On the
18th inst. this brickwork was removed, and a
large and thick slab covering the body of Mrs.
Jane Wheble was found.
Bishop Miners grave was supposed to be
near and on the side of Mrs. Wbeble's; but
this snpposition was not correct, Tor, after re-
moving the brick floor and the soil, the work
men came to a rock. After much time and un-
successful labor, the hope of finding the grave
was almost abandoned. On the following day,
however, the work was resumed. und after
great toll the workmen came upon the Bshop's
coffin, buried six or seven feet below the sur
face. The outer coffin had been covered with
q good strong black cloth, which had become
unsound, and the coffin itself was decayed.
The coffin plate was broken in several pieces
On it was engraved Cross, and under it the
R.R.D JoANsEs MnsEn. ID
Vic. Ap. Med. Dist. Ang.
Obiit. die 10 Aprilis
1896
Fiat "a. Episcopal %.
RIP.
The lead coffin was we'll made and strong but
had decayed a little in one or two places.
With some difficulty the coffin was raised from
it's deep resting place, which had been cut ont
Of the reck' and deposited at the entrance to
On the following day, August Doth, in my
presence the lead was cut and the top part
removed: Next the lid of the oak shell, which
great surprise the body, which had been buried
forty eight years, was seen whole and entire.
1t was covered with neat and elegant plated
shroud made of flannel, aud trimmed with
amber silk. The hands were placed by the
sides of the body; there was no ring on the
finger nor, indeed any sign whatever to show
The The face W." was its natural color, save small
part covered with kind OF white mould. The
hands were discolored, though perfect, and
like the hands represented in the portrait OF
the Bishop. scapalar was suspended round
the neck.
During the course of this and the following
day, priests, nuns and hundreds Of people came
to see the body. The reverence that was shown
to it was truly wonderful-like that shown to
the body of saint. Some kissed the face,
others the scapular, the shroud the coffin
medals and scapulars to touch the body with.
MANY of the old Inhabitants who came, having
known the Bishop in life, recognized him dis
tinctly in death.
o'clock on Thursday morning until four O'Clock
in the afternoon of Friday, the body had as
sumed a dark brown hue, yet it retained its
former size and shape, the flesh remaining
firm. Before the coffin was closed, crncihX,
a medal of Oar Lady, and one of st. Joseph,
| were placed round the Bishops neck, rosary
Heart laid on his breast, and flowers ranged
round the body, which was sprinkled with
holy water.
place on Monday, the oath instant, and was
performed by the clergy of the town.
In the Bishops last ilness WHEN NJ those aSo Hs
humbly said, Don't call me so any moro.
am nothing now but plain John Miner, a poor
sinner"
"During the course of my ministry have at
tended several persons on their death beds, but
never did virtue appear more amiable, never
did religion seem to afford more solid consola-
ton, than in the last moments OF the desetV.
eddy lamented and the truly jest DR.. Miner"
1.-THE nineteenth of April" said an ardent
aud elegant writer, " was the day of his de-
parture from this vale of tears; day which
will echo q mournful return to the breasts OF
millions; a day which will be memorable as
long AS the name of Miner exists. Already is
he canouized in the recollection of the ma
iority, We might also say of the known world.
His uneGualed genius, his extensive erudttion,
his. nnassumipg department his uncompromis-
ing adherence to truth, bnt, above all, ms
tied him to the highest encomiums, and de-
served for him the most lasting endearment."
The great O'Connell, when in Wolverhamp-
ton on his way to the House of Parliament to
plead the cause of the Dublin Catholic Associa-
ton, said to his colleagues, Sir Thomas Es-
moud and Mr.. Shiel: "Recollect that you are
within sacred precincts. The conqueror of
Sturges. and the terror of the Vetoists has
made Wolrerhampton holy. remain, yours
sincerely in Christ, GEORGE DUcKETT-
ST. Peter aud Paul, Wolverhamptop, August,
"a, 1874.
A HuMAy SKULL IN SOLID RocK.-A very