The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-02-23
John Howard Payne,s Grave.

Mr.. Brown. Chief Clerk of the Depart
ment of State, has received the follow
ing interesting unofficial letter from the
United States Consul at Malta, which
has been furnished to the Washington
Star for publication: ID
TUNIs, January s, 1888.
Learning that the body of John How
ard Payne. author of ..Home. Sweet
Home, was to be exhumcd from its grave
In Tunis and sent to America, at the ex-
pepse of w. w. Corcoran, Esq, of
Washington, and learning, too, that
probably not any American would be
present, resolved to take a run over to
Tunis, and. If possible get there in time
to witness the disinterment.
I had written. and telegraphed Mr..
Thomas Reade, the British Consul Cen
eral at Tunis, asking him to inform me
on what day the exhumation would &C.
cur, he replying. ION Wednesday. the
Sd instant" As no steamer would
leave Malta for Tunis (after the receipt
of Mr.. Reade's telegram) until noon the
Sd instant, l had doubts whether /
would be able to reach Tunis in time.
particularly as my steamer would not
arrive at Tunis till Thursday, the 4th
instant; but, fortunately, upon reaching
this place and calling upon Mr.. Reade,
found the elimination had not taken
place, but would occur to-day at 10a a. m.
You can imagine how glad was, then.
that had CHANGED coming, and that
Mrs. Worthington had accompanied me.
Of course, Ibid not come in my official
capacity, but simply as an American
citizen, who could not bear the idea that
the body of the author of "Home, Sweet
Home" (once distinguished United
States Consul at Tunis, who died and
was buried there in 1852 should be taken
from its grave and sent to its native land
and not one of his countrymen be
present. Hence l came. r.... $50
This morning at twelve O'Clock the
took place in the presence
of about twenty persons, a few being
Tunisians attracted to the spot through
curiosity, the others being laborers en-
ployed, and few gentlemen acting as
witnesses at the request of Mr.. Reade.
also signed the paper as a witness that
the exhumation took place as stated
There were two persons present who
were also at the funeral and interment
of Payne-.i e., Mons. Pissani and
dragoman. .r. U... .
The coffin was badly decayed. and was
kept from falling apart, when raised,
with difficulty; but everything relating
TO the remains was scrupulously and
reverently preserved and handled. There
was little else than the blackened skele-
ton left. Traces of the Colonels uni
form, in which Payne was buried, were
1istinguishable- gold lace and a
few buttons. l asked for button,
which was given me, and which / in
close to you. Mr.. Reade also retains a
button. / likewise inclose twig from
the large ''pepper tree" that is growing
at the head of the now empty grave, this
wig having fallen on the coffin, from
which took it. ...' .,...
At three O'Clock. after the body had
been put in its lead coffin and soldered,
and then into its hardwood coffin, and
then its outer box, it was brought to the
little Protestant church, where it will
rest tonight under guard. and tomorrow
be taken to vessel leaving for
in the afternoon.
will add that I tried, unsuccessfully,
to procure band to play Payne's i'm
mortal song as his remains should leave
the marina of Tunis; but not one could
play ''Home, Sweet Home" although 1
had the words and notes with me. How
ever, as the body was brought into the
chapel an English captain, Bridger,
played dirge on the little American
organ there, after which Mrs. Worth
ngton sang Home. Sweet Home"
very sweetly, and then we all came
away, leaving the poor body lying under
the memorial window in the chancel, |
which few large-hearted Englishmen
had put there in tender and gracious
memory of one they loved and honored.
not alone for his authorship of the most |
touching of all songs, but for the half |
and wholly beautiful char
acter of the man himself.
If you care to show this letter to Mr..
Corcoran, you can do so, giving him the
pepper branch. 1t strikes me that Amer.
cans cannot too warmly thank and hon.
Or Mr.. Corcoran for this most thought.
'ul and patriotic deed of his. That Payne
should at last sleep in the land of his
,wh Sweet Home must be a gratifying
thought to all his countrymen.
Faithfully yours,
s.r. JOHN WoRrHINGT0N.