The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-07-03
MRS. WERTHEfmER,s FUNERAL.
A Promise that wn. soemniy Made Over the
Dead womnns Conn.

Mrs. Wcrtheimcrs watch, which was re-
covered with her body from the river of Yon-
kers on Monday. was found to have stopped
at 1l:l0. Tho distance from the river
bank ut Fort Washington, where her hat and
parasol were found to tho point in IIavcn's
lane, whore she was socn. about ten minutes
past 10 on tho preceding Tuesday morning.
plucking tho tops of the ripcning June grass ms
she passed slowly along. il about fifteen min
utcs' walk. It is conicctured. therefore. that
she sat from half to thrco-quartors OF an hour
on the shady rocks before she slipped or cast
herself into the water. 1t was low tide that
morning at $3.50. so that at II 10 the food was
beginning to set up the river with considerable
strength. II Ia not unlikely. therefore, that the
body was carried above Yonkcrs even before
Tuesday night. The Yonkers undertaken
arrived with Mrs. Wcrthcimcr's body at the
house other father. Meyer j. Stcinberger. at li5
East Sixty-1rst street. ut yesterday morning.
At 10 the house was filed with friends. The
remains, in a rosewood coffin with large silver
was no coffin plate. because there had not been
tlInc to have one properly engraved. There
were no h9wers and no pau. Inc room. which
shutters OF the blinds. was dimly lighted by
several gas Jets. turned low. The two large
Huebsch OF the Fifty-nfh Street Synagogue.
formerly. Of the same town in Hungary, Pcsth.
that Mr.. Wertheimer came from. and who mar
ried the couple eight years ago. took n seat be-
side Rabbi Einhorn OF the Sixty-third Street
Synagogue. Then the father was led in by his
eldest son. Jncob Stcinbcrger and by his old
friend. Mr. Kocuigsberg All the gentlemen
mentioned Kept their hats on. in accordance
with jewish usage.
The Rev. Dr. Huebsch spoke in German.
When he referred to the three children Mr.:
Werthcimer's fortitude gave way He sobbed
aloud, and would have sunk to the noor II he
bad not been held, up by his brother and
broher-in-aw. Mr., Loewc, an intimate friend.
also came TO his assistance. but IN spite OF them
All II was found necessary 10 sent him in n chair.
While DR.. Huchsch was continuing his dis
course. by giving him such comfort rs he could.
he rose from the chair and threw his arms over
the cofIin. All who stood near were in tears.
Adolph Steinberger. who was himself weeping.
RAISED the husband: and the two men
brace. After this MIR. werheimcr was calmer
for a short time. His arms were locked in those
Of his friends ~ he stood listening to the dis
course. but he continued TO beat his breast with
his hands. Finally. at the reading OF tho He
brew part of the service. he tore his left arm
from that " his brother and again tried to
throw himself upon the coffin DR.. Huebsch
claspcd the freed arm 10y the wrist I'm firm but
affect .onate way, aud. without interruptiAG his
reading, seemed to give peculiar forec - the
Hebrew words as he turned AMI uttered hem
face 10 face with the Weeping husband.
The remains wore not exposed 10 view. Alter
pr. Huebsch had c,oneiuded. sexton Jacob
Bergman Of Tempel Bethel had the coffln car
ried 10 the hearse. Whom the procession ar
rived nj the Machpelah grounds OF the Cypress
mn tit stopped NJ tilf' gate
and the friends. preceded by the relatives
walked two by two to Mr.. Steinbcreers family
lot. None of the women of the family were
present DIR. Huebsch followed the hearse at
the head of the procession. repeating prayers
In Hebrew.
A. the father was led up to the newly dug
grave. he paused near the monument OF his
daughter Lima. He flung one arm around II
and hurst out in the exclamation. q" oh. Lima
Linal' HIS arm was freed ana he was fOrclby
conducted e. "A spot ncar the head Of the grave
by his son Jacob and Mr.. Koengsberg
After the service Mr.. Wertheimer stepped
head Of the the eofiin. as it rested on iron
stools. Then he began an address 10 his
wife in German. He conlured her. II she knew
Of one word he had ever said or Of one act he
him; What have | ever done, " he cried. rails
ing his hand sto his forehead. " that you should
leave me as you did ?"
Then in n voice Of forced calmness. and
spreading, his hands again on the coflin lid, he
promised her that he would do everything that
she could possibly desire him to do for the
children. While he was repeating this prom
se he utterly broke down. His brother and
brother -in-law sprang forward to catch him.
but he had sunk down on large boulder near
the head Of tho coffin whore he cried out re-
peatedly. " on. my children. my childrenv
At this instant and while the fathers means
were mingling with the husband mentations
DIR. Huehsch gnVc n quick order. and in a few
seconds the coffin wns placed in its pine case and
lowered into the grave. Then after waiting n
short time for Mr.. Werthemer 10 recover. he
was lifted up and spade put into his hands.
With this he undertook To- cast three spadefuls
Of earth into the grave. but after the second his
strength gave out and he was carried away
After this the father and his three sons, Jacob.
Herman. and Adolph. took the spade in turn
and each cast in three spadofuls The father
hardly more than touched the handle Of tho
spade: Mr.. kocnigsberg directed its motions.
This ended the ceremony.