Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1876-08-02

NIo"atiOH III Soutu CAROLINA.
On Sunday, the 9th inst, Mr.. Uen,r
Berry, aged eighty-two, yenerahlo
respected and refined citizen of Mario
County, departed this life. The do
ceased was successful farmer. bavin,
been one of the most extensive plant
erS in the State, at one time DURING hi,
career having been possessor of 20 oon
acres of land, and in addition an ind
pendent fortune. AT the time of hi,
death his cotton plantation alone con,
tanned several Thousand acres of tha
most fertile land in the State.
Prior to his death he had requested
that his body might be burned. Tha
reasons assigned for this strange desjrs
are as follows: About twenty-fou
years ago two relatives of his died
After having been buried several wears
the surviving relatives desired to have
the remains disinterred TO be removed
to spot located in an adjacent section
In accordance with this desire tha
bodies were disinterred, and during the
removal the coffin lids became detached
and the bodies were exposed to the
public gaze. Having been buried |
long time they were, of course. in
fearful state of decomposition. Mr.
Berry was present on this occasion
and, witnessing the scene, made a SOL '
emn declaration that his remains
should not be subject to similar fate
He afterward frequently alluded |
to the condition of the bodies
and repeated his declaration made at
the time of the removal. Very little
confidence was placed in his statement
at the time, but that it was fixed de-
termination the following will show
The deceased has several surviving
sons, all men of advanced age Sey
eral months ago he held conversation
with them, stating that after his
death he desired not to be buried, but
that his body should be consumed bv |
fire, and enjoined upon them that they
should participate in the proceedings
Naturally the sons were shocked at
this declaration, and used every avail
able means to dissuade him from his
intention. Argument was useless
and, entertaining doubts in reference
to the faithful execution of his desire
he entered into a contract with two Of
his employees, allowing them two
mules and $500 if they would superin
tend the cremation proceedings. Tn.
parties accepted the proposition
About two months ago he made a will
in which he very explicitly states that
if his sons do not allow his body to b
burned, and do not participate in tn.
matter, it would be under penalty Of
disinheritance. During his life he Sc
lected two pine trees adjoining hR
farm which should be used on the oc
casion, and also designated the spG
where it should take place.
According to arrangements the ere
nation took place at eight O'Clock this
morning. Carriages, buggies and We
hicles of every description were in
active demand to convey spectators 70
the scene, and at the appointed time an
immense crowd was in attendance
The trees designated by the deceased
were cut down, and all the necessarJ
arrangements having been perfected
the body was laid on platform sur
loulluttt ny all lllClpSulc dbout tNCilt,
feet in height. After appropriate
services, held by Baptist divine, th'
combustibles were ignited, and Il
about two hours all that remained O
the deceased was ashes.
During the process variety of opir
ions was expressed by those in attend
ance-the prevailing impression bein,
that it was an outrage on the sensibb
tiles of the people, and that it shoul
have been prevented by the author
ties Marion IS. CO. Cor. ". Y. Her
aid.