The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-03-08
THAT CASE OF CREMATION
The Burning Of Alberto Keller 8
Body in the New Temple
of Cremation.
A MILANEsE SENSATION.

THB BODY INCINERATBD WHILE sPEEoHEs
IN FAVOR OF CREMATION WERE BEING
DELIVERED.
The Milan correspondent of the New
York Herald gives this gossip concerning
cremation: The latest sensation here Is a
genuine case of cremation, which occurred
at one of the principal cemeteries in Milan
last week. 1t appears that a wealthy Ger
man gentleman named Alberto Keller,
who resided here many years previous to
his death. was strict believer in the
theory of cremation, and in bis will pro-
yided that a temple of cremation should
be built in the Cemeterio Monu-
mentale (where he had previously erected
handsome family tomb), and pre-
ssnted to the city of Milan; and that wnen
il should be ready for uss bis remains
were to be crema.ed therein, aud his ashes
deposited in the family tomb. About two
years ago Mr.. Keller babe adieu TO things
terrestrial, and his body was embalmed
aud consigned to the vault underneath the
tomb. Shortly sftsrward experiments
were commenced by Messrs. Clericetti and
Polli, a system was invented which was
perfected, and a temple of cremation was
built in the cemetery. The building Is
miniature model OF the ancient Roman
temples, aud stands on piece of ground
about 80 feet square. Fifteen solid stone
pillars, about Is leet in height and two in
thickness, placed in circle, support
dome shaped roof, which is in turn sur
mounted by the figure of an urn. In the
center, reached by four or five st ps, Is
LARGE STONE sARCoPHAGUs,
some seven or eight feet long and about
three in Width. On each side are three
round black marble slsbs, on the center
one of which is a whits cross. The slab at
one end acts as a door, being moved up and
down by Invisible machinery. In the in
| terror OF the sarcophagus are large num-
Der of iron ribs extending from one side
to the other, and uniformly curved
downward slightly in the center. Under
meath this grldlron arrangement Is plat
. form of iron, from which projects forest
of as-purhers. Along the sides OF
the receptacle, just above the iron
bars, are rows of round, knob-like
buttons, with a hole in the
center; these are also used for the issue OF
| gas-jets-the total number of which in the
sarcopbagus amounts to III. The force of
gas employed, as well as the machinery
which opens and shuts the ponderous
door, is controlled from a small brick
building some Sen or fifeeen feet in the
| rear of the edifice, the connecting machin-
cry being under around. Ga the front OF
the temple, under the dome, is tablet
with an inscription. of which the following
is a translation: TCrematiOn temple do
mated, at the desire OF the noble Alberto
Keller, to the city of Milan" After the
completion of the edifics the inventors ex-
peIienced upon the caresses Of dogs and
other animals, for the purpose of deter
mining how great degree OF heat and
wha, time were necessary TO
CONSUME HUMAN BODY.
Everything being in readiness, lat Satur-
day, the second anniversary of Mr.. Ke.-
ler's death, was fixed upon to practically
test upon the remains of the founder the
purpose for which the temple was erected.
On that day at o'clock, the inventors OF
the system, sccomp anied by some of the
relatives OF the deceased, the princip Al
municipal officers aud large number OF
scientific men aud Journalists, represent
ing the principal cities OF Europe, assem-
bled at the Keller tomb. At q o'clock the
body was taken from its casket in the
vault and placed in thin wooden case,
which was covered with black cloth.
The features OF the corpse were as natural
as on the day on which it was entombed,
two years ago. Preceded by the clergy
man OF the Evangelical church, of which
Keller had been a member, the body, fol-
lowed by the assemblage who had
gathered to witness the ceremony, was
taken to the temple of cremation, which is
situated near the rear wall of the cemtt sry
in conspicuous position, and can be
seen from any point of thu grounds. which
are perfectly fiat and unadorned with
shrubbery or trees, the want of which Is
made up, however, by some fine speci-
mems Of sculpture s-rroounting tombs and
grave. o. striving at the mausoleum
the clergyman in attendance made few
remarks, during which the body was de-
/ foI %
his address the reverend gentleman i'd
that the ceremony of cremation was not
against the accep~5G forms of burial; In
that form 1t offered an example of
THE FLEETING EXISTENCE OF MATTER,
and in the action of The destroying flames
might be seen the symbol of the soul
that, libersting itself from the body, flies
to heaven, purified and immortal. At the
close of his remarks signal was given,
the ponderous door CT the sarcophagus
disappeared downward, revealing the gas
jets burning family in the interiors
mas OF fire. The remains of Alberto
Keller were raised and slid into the sarco-
phsgus, resting on the grid iron. The
heavy door rose up again, as II by magic,
and settled into its position. The gas was
turned on to its full force, and the body
was submitted to temperature of over
!, l coo grad, or something more than 2, 900
degrees Fahr snheit. While the mortal
remains of Alberto Keller were be-
ing subjected to the process of cremation.
Prof. f. Colletti, OF Padua. to whom be-
longs the honor of the victory OF the Gre
nation reform in Italy, sddres ssd those
present. He began by eulogiums upon
Nine. George Sand, Emile De Girardin
and other eminent writer's, who in 1853
strenuOHsly urged, through the columns
Of La PIesse and other journals, the adop.
ton OF cremation. The overcro wding of
cemeteries was then beginning to give
pernicious results, and the attention of
scientific men had been drawn to the ne
cessity of overcoming the evils resulting
Sherefrom. Butin spite of t1eir efforts
THE WORMS WON THE DAY
and general abhorencs WAS Expressed a