Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-07-18
Cremation.

4 correspondent OF the New York Herald
,ays: The progre ssiVe spirit OF the age has
ayaio been illustrated in an event which occur
red 10 Marion, S. c., one day last week, and
which Gao never be obterated from the minds
Of those whose privilege it vas to witness It,
For the first time 10 the plneteenth century In
the evcntful and illustrious history OF South
Carolina has case OF actual cremation occur
red.
The following is brief recapitulation OF the
circumstances attending this case :-Oa Sun.
day, the 9th inst MIR. Henry Berry, aged
eighty-two. venerable, respected and renned
citizen of Marion county, departed this ilte.
The deceased was successful farmer, having
been Que of the most ex euslvc planters 10 the
State, at one lime duritg his career having been
posscssor OF 81 UOO acres OF land, and 10 addi-
ton an indepen lent fortuue. AT the time OF
his death bis cotlou plat titlon alone contained
.eyeral thousand acres OF the most fertile land
in the State. ;,
Prior to his death he had requested that his
BODY might be burned. The reasons ass'goed
for this strange desire are as follows: About
,weuty-four years ago two relatives OF bis dlcd.
After having been buried several years the sur
vlyiug r, la,iyts desired to have the remaius
disiuterred to be removed 10 spot locaed 10
ao adjacent section. Iu accordance with this
desire the bodies we're disntsrred, and during
the removal the cothu lids became detached
and the bodies were exposed to the public gaze.
Having been buried long time they were, OF
course, 10 a fearful state of decomposition. MIR.
Berry was present Oh this occas,on, and. Wit
Messing the scene, made solemn declaration
shat his remains should DOT bc subject to a
similar fate H. altelward tr. quently alluded
to the condi lou Of the DO lies and repeated his
declaration N lde at the time of The removal
Very little confidence was placed 10 his statement
AZ the time. but hat it was fixed determination u
the following will show. The deceased has
several surviving Sous all men OF advanced age.
Several months ago he held conversation
with them, stating that after his death he de-
sired no, to be buried. but that his body should
be consumed by FIRE, and eujolued upon them
that they should participate IN the proceedings.
Naturally the SOUS were shocked at this deca
ration, and USED every available meaus TO dis
,uadc him from bis Intention. Argument was
useless, aud entertaining doubts In reference to
the faithful execution of his desire, he entered
into contract With two of his employees, al
lowing them two mules and $500 ,fthey would
superintend the cremation proceedings. The
parties accepted the proposition. About Two
months ago be made will, 10 which he very
explicitly states that it bis sons do not allow
his body 10 be buroed aud do DOT participate 10
the matter that it would be under penalty OF
lisinheritauce. During his life he selected
TWO pine trees adj ,lnug his farm which should
DO used on the OCCASION and also designated the
spot where it should take place.
According to arrangements the cremation
took place at eight o'clock in the moroiug.
Carriages buagies and vehicles of every de-
scrptiou were in active demand to convey
spectators to 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 necessary arrangements haV,
ing been perfected the body Was laid on plat
form surrounded by an enclosure about twenty
feet 10 height. After an appropriate service,
held by Baptist divine, the combustlbles were
igulted, aud 10 about two hours all that re-
NAMED of the deceased was ashes.
Durpg the process variety OF opinions were
expressed by those in attendance, the prevail
iug impression beiog that it was an outrage on
she sensibI.ties of the people and that 1t sh ould
have been prevented bv the authorities.