The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1878-11-21
John Cradle.


Since our lat issue, Mr.. g. r. Shepherd has given
further particulars about John CRADLES sickness
and death. When first taken down, Mr.. Cradle felt
that his vitality was exhausted, and that he could
not recover He sent for Mr.. Shepherd talk about
final affairs. He requested that his body be given to
the ST. Joseph Medical College for dissection He
pecally desired that his heart and brain be examin
ed, as he believed that both were diseased He was
confident that the right side of his brain affected,
as he frequently had severe pains there, and at times
he was not in his right mind, not knowing where he
was, or what he was saying. Mr.. Shepherd protest
cd against this disposition of his body, and used
every argument in his power to dissuade him from
the notion. Finally Mr.. CRADLE consented that Shep
herd should use his own Judgment to which one Of
three things should be done. One of these was the
disposition above named; another was, to cremate
the body; and the third was, to bury him under
certain tree on his farm with the ceremonies usual
in burying Infdels. Shepherd agreed to this, and
left him, fully determined to bury him under the
tree. On the evening of his DEATH Shepherd received
despatch from Mrs. Cradle, announcing the fact,
and requesting his presence. He at went, tax
ing his books containing the Iniide funeral formula
thinking, of course that Mr.. Cradle had died in the
same mind in which he had left him. But on reach
ing the house, Mrs. Cradle informed him that John
had changed his mind, and had positively directed
that his body should be given to the Medical College
The family were reconciled to it. and desired that
his wishes be carried ont. Preparations were, ac-
cordingly, made to that end. But here unlocked
for difficulty arose. Some dozen fifteen of the
neighbors had gathered in having got wind of what
whas going Most of these were Irish Catholics
and some Of them were drunk They protested
against the contemplated outrage, and demanded
that the body be buried. This during the night
and Shepherd says that he was in danger Of being
mobbed before morning. But they finally quieted
down, and left; and next morning, the body was
placed in coffin taken to St. Joseph, and delivered
to the authorities of the Medical College. Mr. Ora
BILE was a very small, spare man, and the body was
greatly emaciated by disease
Mr.. Cradle was thorough Infidel and held out
firmly to the last. He had read almost everything
in history, science religion, and politics. but desps
ed fiction and poetry. When first taken sick, he said
he had lain for hours trying think whether he had
willfully wronged anybody. or had done any
thing that he ought to repent of ask forgiveness
for but could think ofnothng, and therefore did
repent or ask forgiveness. He had no concern for
his salvation for he did not think he had been
lost. He said he did not believe in God that made
people, and then lost them, and had much trouble
in finding them again. Spiritualism he held in the
same estimation religion-regarding all az the re-
suit of superstition and ignorance.
Mr.. Cradle was the firm friend Of education. Liv-
ing in neighborhood very much old fogy on this
subject, he worked actively for good school houses
and advanced systems Of study, and succeeded, in
some degree, in improving the educational facilities
of his District. He leaves a wife and five daughters
one of them married. They all intelligent, and
all believe as their father did.
While Uncle johnny lived in peace with his neigh
bors, his tastes, ways and beliefs different
from theirs, that their relations were not intimate
In fact, some of them imposed upon him, and robbed
him, every opportunity. lie had large orchard,
containing considerable amount of apples; but We
understand that it has been plundered extensive
ly that the family will not have FIVE bushels of ap-
pies for their own USE He had $40 acres of land,
and large brick house. There is mortgage of 500
that the family contemplate disposing of the prop
erty, and removing elsewhere.
Since the above written, E. p Lewis, of Burr
Oak, has called, TO request correction in former
statements. He says that he and DIR. Crippen, of
BurrOak, delivered the body to the Medical College.
Cradle had requested him to- and he would not con-
sent until he visited the officers of the College and
had them draw up careful writing for Mrs. Cradle
sign, giving her full consent to the desired dspo-
sition of the body. This signed and returned to
the faculty. He says Dir. Shepherd opposed the ar
rangement, from first to last; that he went with
them to Wathena, but refused to go to St. Joseph
and that no receipt was asked for taken for the
body. He also says there were lot of young fellows
about the premises, drunk, and acting rather dis
gracefully, but that nothing said about prevent
| ing them from taking the body away.