The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-02-28
COLOR LINE.
How it is Observed in the
Cemetery.
A misunderstanding about the
Purchase OF a Lot.

~ WfouiitOio tdiiuHIS oUUut tiiS
Purchase OF a Lot.
Somewhat of local sensation has beer
created in this city by the action of the maj
in charge of Chippiannock cemetery refus
ing to sell colored man lot within tina
enclosure. Like NEST of such affairs it ii
possessed of two sides, and the conflicting
statements are in measure harmo1ized b,
the explanation that a misunderstanding
has occurred and that there was no inten
ton on the part of the cemetery board tt
deprive man of the right to bury his chile
as becomes christian because the mani
mate form in life was colored.
THE DETAILS
of the rather distressing affair are substan
TALLY as follows. Richard Tyrrell, the
proprietor of the Harper House barber
shop is colored man. He has home
wife and children that he Is supposed to be
as fond of, as those of more immaculate
complexion. Among his children was 8
bright little boy who was afflicted few
days ago with cerebro spinal meningitis
The disease proved fatal, and the little
body was conveyed to the cemetery where
it was placed in the vault,
Yesterday Tyrrell visited Mr.. ]. M. Blu
ford fo< the purpose of securing lot in
the cemetery where the remains of his
child could be laid away to rest.
Mr. Buford told him to visit the GENE
terry and select the spot which he desired to
purchase.
THE TROUBLE.
p Tyrrell visited the city of 'the silent
majority" and was met there by the keeper
of the grounds. He made known the OBJ
ject of his visit, and told the man that he
did not desire an expensive location but
one that was retired and moderate in
price.
The keeper informed him that he had
no authority to allow colored man to
select lot, as the white people might OBJ
ject to having lot bordering on one that
contained the remains of colored clay.
He intimated, so Tyrrell states. that col
ered people were obliged to purchase bury
ing ground in the Potter's Field, as such
had been the custom, and the keeper could
not deviate from that usage.
Tyrrell naturally felt much grieved, as
he knew that there was no law of the asso-
citation preventing the interments of color
ed people within the grounds, and was
willing to pay for the lot so that there
could be no uneasiness on that score.
He was reluctant TO place his child's
body in the Potter's field, where no care
could be taken Of the grave, and when a
visit would be constant source of morti-
fcation as well as sorrow. He had about
concluded to have the remains of his child
to the Davenport cemetery,
where he understood that no such discrim-
nation on account of color existed.
FRIENDS
Mr.. Mylo Lee and Mr.. Harper became
interested in the matter as it was related
ascertain why the keeper had acted ia such
a peculiar manner. They were not aware
that any law of the association precluded
the burial of colored people or necessitated
the burial of such people in any prescribed
DIT particular locality, and such proved to
be the correct impression.
THE OTHER SIDE
Mr. J. w. Buford stated that he was
acting in behalf of Mr.. Mitchell, who is
absent from the city, and that he did not
knew of any colored man being refused
ct in the city of the dead merely On &C.
count Of his color. He thought the GENE
cry association would sell lots to color
ID man as well as to white one, and
ll1ese thia impression he had sent Tyrrell
,ut 10 tie grounds yesterday afternoon.
Mr. Buferd and Mr. Hakes were of the
opinion that Tyrrell had misunderstood
he statements made by the keeper, as ne
OTIS werelsold in the Potters field. The
ules and regulations of the association re-
uirsd that single graves shall only be sold
n certain localities, and that certain sized
DTS only will be disposed of in other quart
rs, while other localities required the
Of certain Improvements, and
ould only besecured by an action of the |
'oard of Directors.
They both stated that if colored man |
ould pay for the lot which he desired, and |
Tas willing to obey the rules and regula-
ions, they knew Of no reassn why he |
hould net become an owner of property in
ne cemetery.
AN ORDER.
This afternoon an order was issued by
le president of thescemetery association,
irected to the sexton in charge of the
rounds, instructing that official to sell,
inject to tho rules and regulations of the
rganization, all lots not contained within
he reserved portion whose sale, requires
he action of the board of directors, to any
ne who can make the necessary payments
ierefor.
ACCIDENT.
This morning at o'clock an accident
,curred at Opheim station, on the c. B.
O. railroad short distance from this