New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-24
A STRANGERS GRAVE.
A SEARCH IN TIKI PoTTBRs YIELD FOR TIIE BODY
OLE TILE MURDERED GRAND MAsIER.

A SEARCH IN THE POTThRS YIELD FOR THE BODY
OF THR MURDERED GRAND MASTER.
The fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons
Of this part Of having informed Of the sad
death OF Nathaniel French the Deputy Provincial Grand
Master of Masons in the Bahamas at the Charity Hos
pta Blackwes Island and the burial OF his remains
among those OF the poor in the POtters Field resolved
to have the body removed from its present resting place
TO Greenwood. An application made 10 the Grand
Master OF the state Christopher g. Fox OF Buffalo, Tor the
requisite authority TO act Fraternity In the matter
Mr. Fox at sent to the Deputy Grand Master, Ell
l.. Thorne OF this city, the necessary authorize
ton to carry out the proposed measure, and
James F. Morrison next authorized by
Thorne TO examine the trunk OF the late MI French
TO ascertain II the Masonic papers reported to be therein
would establish the OF his Masonic rank and stand
ing. A committee Of Masons, headed by Mr. Morrison,
then conducted the investigation and found oil the
necessary documents. regalia jewels, &c. careful
inventory OF these important articles was then made
for the future use of the Grand Lodge. Dr. James NJ
Austin ALSO wrote letter to the Commissioners OF
Charities and Correction, requesting IN tho namo Of
julius French OF Nassau N p the brother Of the dead
man. that the body OF Mr.. Nathaniel French should be
delivered to the Masonic Fraternity for burial An In
curry at once made by the Commissioners. Super
ntendent Dunpby of Harris Island reported that the re-
mains Of French had buried at the bottom of pit
in which were other bodies and that he thought
the whole most likely IN such a state OF de-
composition mat tHe present
would he impossible pursue the search Tor the DoN
incosing the particular body without detrment to the
health only of those connected with the work nut
also of those residing within radius Of several miles
The superintendent also reported that the PIT had been
closed for some time, and had been graded over with
feet Of claw consequently the labor that w0uId Dc
requisite TO the grave would De CONSIDERABLE anu
the expense OF disinterrng the remains very large as
special would have to be employed for NJ danger
duty. Upon ascertainng these facts the Commits
sioners Informed Dr. AUSTIN the Grand Secretary, ana
he Quesed postponement OF the dSlnermcnt
Those persons, however, who had consumed 40 much
OF their time III the work OF discovering the tate OF
Mr. French satisfied to abandon their project
Knowing that ii was the wish OF Mr.. French's family
that his remains should be placed IN consecrated
ground, they immediately applied 10 Speaker Hustled
the State Assembly In order to ascertain whether or
not an investigation of the plan OF burial on Harfs
Island could he instituted by the Legislature. They
thought that when the body OF any person, who by
sad mishap had died in hospital, was buried In
such away that it could not be obtained by
his family and friends for decent intermont, aiter
so short "A time five months, that the
ulan OF burying the bodies OF the poor and
frendless anything but human. 1t Is, therefore,
persons that this event has gwen
the Legislature good opportunity TO make thorough
investigation OF the burial which the bodies OF the poor
receive.