The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-11-09
RUMoRs At THE TIME OF THE BURIAL.
Idiers Attracted by Visions OF 6o,d aud Other
Treasures In the Tomb.

Mr.. Stewart died between and O'Clock
on the afternoon OF Monday the 10th OF April.
1876 In what is known the lace room OF the
Stewart mansion. He had taken a severe cold
about three weeks previous. and although he
rallied from the first attack a second exposure
brought on n relapse which ended in death. At
the dying mans request. his illness was kept
secret from the public until Monday. At his
bedside were Mrs. Stewart. her brother. Mr..
Clinch two sisters OF Mr.. Stewart. her niece.
and her grand-niece. Telegrams had been
sent TO Judge hilton and TO Mr. Libbey but
they failed to arrive in time The great mer-
chant was fully conscious up to the last mo-
ment He died without pain. After death the
body was raised in bed. and several excellent
photographs were taken. II was then packed in
ice. preparatory to the funeral. DR.. Marcy. In
his medical certificate. said that the primary
cause OF death was cystitis. and the immediate
cause peritonitis.
noon Of the funeral was SO great that the
police found much difficulty In clearing a
The latter waited IN the the yestibaie % While 'S thc
undertaker's men were soldering up tho box
containing the casket. and then the procession
Boards had been laid over the narrow steps
leading into the vault. and after the last
prayers had been said the heavy box was Slid
down the inclined plane and laid on the floor
OF the vault. During this part OF the ceremony
the trees, the lamp posts. and the, windows OF
tators who watched the smallest details.
The casket was peculiarly rich and attractive
II was oblon2. OF thick OAK. highly polished. with
massive silver composition handles. six feet in
length. at the sides Each handle WAS supported
by three heavy silver lugs or brackets. gold
tipped. and the urn shaped screws were OF
silver tipped with gold. The outside OF the
casket had the richest OF Lyons silk velvet. with
a gold fringe four inches long. and heavy gold
tassels at the corners. A second lining
OF white satin. puffed and rayed into
silk fringe. covered the interior. The body
OF the dead merchant rested on a white satin
covered mattress. 1t was attired in plain black.
frock coat vest cut low with three buttons.
black trousers. and white shirt front. On the
shirt front were three studs Of plain pearl. The
right hand lay on the side and the left hand
rested on the breast. There were no shoes on
the feet. Enclosing the casket was a cedar box
an inch and half thick, with "A lead lining OF
one-quArter OF an inch. In soldering on the
top an aperture the size OF pin hole was left
Tor the escape of foul air. On replacing the
stone at the entrance OF the vault, the earth WAS
packed down upon IL and Il small marble slab
was placed 10 mark the spot
For days and weeks alter the funeral. throngs
OF dlers gathered 10 look at the slight mound Of
earth that covered the body OF the merchant
prince. Wild rumors were circulated about the
stores Of gold and silver buried with the dead
man. The place seemed to have a fascination
for iders. and knots Of them were seen at any
hour OF the day peering through the iron fence
and pointing with eager fingers 70 the single
marble slab.