The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-02-25
KATIE RIEDEL'S BURIAL.
A Sorrowful Scene in a Staten
Island Cemetery.
PlTlABLE GRIEF OF THE PARENTS.
Should Not Welspie Have Been Held
for Punishment

Katie Riedel. the finding o. whose dead body IN tho
old Quarantine graveyard under singular circum-
stances two weeks ago to-day, has been so
widely discussed as .Ihc Staten Island Mys-
terry" was buried yesterday at the German
Woodland Cemetery, Silver Lake, in the presence
OF her unhappy parents and half dozen spectators
Much Indignation expressed that wcspiel, her de-
stroyer and suspected murderer, has been allowed 10
60 tree II is claimed that he should have been held
until the Boston police could arrest him for adultery
or abduction, on the complaint OF the dead grips
parents
Early yesterday Mr. and Mrs. Redel won't down to
Staten Island 10 attend the funeral OF their child.
Coroner Dempsey, who IL also the proprietor
OF Ivory stable. kindly furnished them
with carriage and they were driven 10
Staplctop, where they saw the Superintendent OF
the Woodland Cemetery, German burying ground
located near Silver Lake They were met also by John
Smith, poor shoemaker OF that town, who had been
touched By sorrowful story OF the couple and had
made little collection among his neighbors to help
deiray the expenses OF intcrnent The parents nego-
liated Tor the purchase opening OF grave and
we're driven over the hills to the cemetery.
where they arrived about two O'Clock and
awaited tho arrival OF the ooay from
the Poorhouse some five miles away Meanwhile
Mr. Daniel Dempsey, the undertaken OF West brigh-
ton, had made the simple arrangements for the iune-
ra trusting to the charity of the residents TO repay
him, at least in part The remains OF the unfortunate
girl were decently prepared for burial The hair
was neatly combed back and tasteful white
Tobe draped the form, which was placed
bearing the inscription, katie Riede died February
II, 1877, aged eighteen years" Mrs. McCormack,
Maon Of the institution, was deeply touched oy tho
greet Of the young womans parents on the previous
Gay aud Interested herself in preparing the remains
Tor burial
Cormack, the keeper, waited several hours tor the ar
rival OF the parents. Through some nsunderstand-
lug the latter were left At the cemetery without any
convey and there waited for the fune raj At half
past tour O'Clock the party at the Poorhouse deter.
mined to proceed TO the cemetery and trust to meet
Ing the parents. The eyes oil the mother,
pccring through the little window OF tho
grave dggers cottage, where, with tho father. she
had sought shelter from The storm, the mourntul
cavalcade tolng up the rough aud tortuous road to
the cemetery. hearse despatched with the mud OF
the heavy roads through which II had passed;
empty carriage which had been provided for the spec
tators. and carriage with reporters rom
New York made up tho cortece The grave.
yard Is situated elevated and rolling piece OF
land and much Of 1t, the name implies, is covered
with WOOD. AS the hearse entered the WIDE gate
and added the only element lacking 10 make up wild
ana pathetic picture. The wind howicd mournfully
through the tree tops swept the pitilcss see omong
the tombsones and spread the lonely folds
as III e eye could see
soRRowFUL scEyxs.
The grave had been opened on the side OF hill
short distance from the entrance and close TO the high
road Owing 10 the steepness OF the ascent and the
soft condition OF the road the hearse was obliged 10
stop a short distance inside the gate. The mother
rushed after II on foot, followed by the father,
the undertaken the graved2ger and his wife, Mr. Nc
Cormack and the sympathizng shoemaker These
made up the entire party. When the hearse could 90
no further the coffin was lifted out and the four re.
porters with uncovered heads carried through the
beating storm to where the earth opened to receive IT,
AS they carried it thus the father, who had till
then shown but little feeling, suddenly turned his face
away that his wife might not him. and, standing
in the snow and shiverng in tho cold wind which
break A short distance away tho unhappy mother
turned her bowed head away and weps
dried his tears and led her TO where tho
colin set down. She begged to see the face Of her
child more, and The wi'e OF tho gravedigger-a
quaint little German woman, who wept from sympathy
she stood barehcaded in the sorn-brought screw
driver and the coffin I'D was raised. Then
eazed upon the lace of the dead and
iondled the cold features, 80 Katie my darlngi my
darpg!' she walled while handful OF spectators
turned away with moist eyes, ''must | leave you
hereY on my God shall never speak TO you again
You are to lie cold and stin here and Weispic who
killed you free!" Thon She sobbing, placed her face
against that of her dead girl and muttered Historically
Her grief seemed grow more and more intense, and
her husband and OF the party gently forced her
away she chung convulsivey the ed OF the coffin,
and shrieked 'Oh bury with her let me be buried
alive with her" Then she broke away from them and
my darling, goodby; once more, goodby." After she
was forced away she stood weeping IN the snow and
muttering between her soDs, Oh, Katie your school
mates told To bring you back TO them but can't
do II.
A MOTHERS ANGUISH
AS the coffin lowered into the grave her eye
caught sight OF the gliitcring ornaments, and she
ciasped her hands about her head and shrieked. "Oh
you wanted Wespiei's gold and silver. Now you have
all tho silver in the world, aud be Is
gone away after killing you! She re
fused. to be comforted by her husband,
and stood aloof wringing her hands and sobbng until
the gravediggcr grasped his spade 10 till the grave;
Tho she rushed forward and grasping handful OF wet
sarth from tho upturned heap, stood on tho brink
and cast II down upon tue collin, where II
fell with thud that In conjunction with the action,
sent a thrill through the spectators. Then, while the
earth being shovellcd in and the mother and
father stood weeping on the bleak hillside,
the few present stood apart and contributed u
little sum make up the amount the good
hearted shoemaker lacked TO pay for the
grave and help the unfortunate parents little the
homeward journey. soon mound OF red earth
Alone marked last resting spot OF the illated GIRL
and while tho snow drifting into winding sheet
and tbs wntry wind waiting requiem, the little
party sadly turned away and Katie Rcdc and her
born babe were hidden from mortal sight until tho
lawn OF Resurrection.