The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-14
A STRANGE FUNERAL.

THE REMARKABLE WAY IN WHICH MRS. Rox-
CONDUCTED TO THE GRAVE.
Mrs. Roxcclanah H. Kcyscr was buried from her
late residence, No. IA East Flysevcnih street. with
notable pomp and ceremony yesterday afternoon
Gossip undoubtedly busy with fho subject OF this
funeral and that It expected 10 be out Of ordinary
sylc-t that term may be used in description OF such
solemn occasions-was evident from the gathering OF
sghtsecrs that assembled at and about the Keyscr
mansion This mansion Ia fine spacious brown stone
structure, four stories high and very much like the
other handsome residences In the vicinity OF the
fashionable avenue OF the metropolis Long before the
hour appointed for tho funeral services which IL was
understood 10 DO performed the house. car.
rlages the number OF nearly 100 ranged along
Fifty seventh street from Fifth TO Madison avenue and
the adjoining thoroughares In front OF the house stood
hcnrse, with Elk black horses attached. The vehicle
horses werc elegantly caparisoncd with velvet and
rich trappings In the vicinity OF the hcarse were
four carriages each drawn by four horses and seventy
two-horse carriages ranged backward into the neigh
boring streets The casket was Of oak, with gold
plato and gold mounted silver handles. Over II hung
or BLACK vELvET,
trimmed with heavy bullion fringe and tasscls
Probably $50 ladies gathered In the paror whore the
body laid in state, during the religious services
The Rev. Dr. Armitagc onicated performing the usual
Baptist services for the dead and drawing tho lesson
that its presence always teaches Alter the Rev DR..
piano accompaniment the hymn s'Ncarer My God
Thee" But the scene somehow seemed robbed or
than funeral Tie deceased lady was roDed in very
rich white satin bridal costume, trailed along which
mere wrea.hs Of fragrant flowers The casket itself was
in prousion about the place where tho remains
laid. On pedestal prepared for 1t stood cross Of
white flowers nearly seven feet In height A floral
shaft four feet high broad at its base and taperng
upward, stood upon the carpet There were also
anchors and Tyre aud several wreaths at the head OF
he ca q he ef Wna an
gravcd the name OF the deceased and her age h5
Sho seemed much older, however, and some Of the
gossips said the engraver had mistakenly made the
first figure instead Of When tho religious
s'the friends" standing the sidewalk were
advised by "a little gentleman, who seemed u have
some participation the management OF the OBJ
sequics. 10 pass into the parlor and view the body
several hundreds OF well dressed people, little curious
this strange iunerea display, had awaited them
selves OF the opportunity already afforded, and had
the rigid body in its bridal attire But the
entire crowd OF curiosity seekers pushed up the high
stoop and paraded through the long parlor Notwith-
standing this exhibition the funeral II was said was
private. Again the gossps busted themselves with
conjecture. They said that the
DECEASED LADY, BEiHG VERY RICH,
her friends determined that all its appointments
her funeral should not be excced by that OF
any other person who may chance TO be COM
mitted to mother earth ut this TYNE or in this city
Her husband ALSO II said had been buried In his
wedding garments and had at his funeral seventy
ragcs, and why should not she have rs many? No
body tried to solve this problem. But in little while,
when the casket had been placed In the hearse and the
patcarers and family had taken their places IN tho
four-horsc carriages, good many people inqur-
ing how long It would take to 80 to Woodawn Gene
terry, At which place the body was TO BE- inferred
TiInd ladies, who could spare hour FOR solemn
carriage ride, asked n IL would be dark
before tho return to the city, and school
children, with some older and gravcr acquaintance.
took seats 10 the carriages thus helping 70 swell tho
numbers that made up tho procession. The entire
corcgc numbered possibly eighty carriages, tho four
horse vehicles starting ahead Of the hearsc and the
others following The cost OF thowhoc display was
estimated at about IS 00O Tho casket alone worth
from s., 500 to 81 600 Tho flowers which must have
been worth sum equal to little fortune TO poor
family, were partially pllfcrcd by curious despoers
who were attracted by the desire to sec novelty
the substitution Of bridal ramcnt and bridal Lccora-
for the hablaments Of tho grave The deceased
left considerable properly to her sister, Mrs Sayre her
sole heir, who has hersclfa good deal OF land aud
splendid mansion in Columbia county this state. Tho
other relatives left by Mrs. Kcyscr two nephcws
and niece, all of whom attended her funeral