The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1883-04-06
A Strange Funeral.

Not many weeks since, a gentleman
well known in Cincinnati lost his wife
by consumption. A simple announce
ment was made in the newspapers
when she died, but no notice was given
as. to when the funeral would take
place. 1t seems that it was omitted at
the special request of his wife, often
made before her demise, as she onlyde-
sired her most intimate friends to attend
that ceremony. She said she had hor-
ror of her house being crowded with
people upon such an occasion, who
really cared little or nothing for her.
She only wanted certain ones present
whom she knew well, and whom she
felt sure would regret her death, and
these were notified to attend at a par
ticular hour on a given day.
This departure from the usual custom
was hardly made more conspicuous than
that of her husband officiating in the
place of minister, which was also
done at his wife's request. After the
friends had assembled to the number of
twenty-five or thirty, the husband who
was sitting beside her coffin, with head
bowed in grief upon it, rose up and de-
ivered the following address:
DEAR FRIENDS: It was the dying request
OF my dear companion that no minister should
be called. upon to oficiate at her obseduies,
but that should speak few words to her
special friends who would be invited to be
present. need not say that do so with re-
luctance, and can hardly find words to ex-
press my sorrow and grief at the loss /
have sustained by her death. This request
was not made by her because of want of faith
in religion or in holy things, but simply be-
cause neither of us was member of any
Christian church, and have not been in the
habit of attending religious services and we
knew no minister upon whom we could call
and she did not think it meet or proper, under
the circumstances, to have some one come
here and deliver sermon who did not know
her.
II need not tell you that Clara was a faith
full wife and a loving mother, and that she
possessed every trait of character necessary
to constitute her child of God. She made no
professions of religion, but she showed by
her daily life and walk that her every impulse
was pure and good. never saw her turn the
needy away from her door without a gift,
and never heard her speak, lightly of her
friends. She made her home her palace, and
she was always the happiest when she was
surprising me with some special manifesto
ton of her love. She has now gone to her re-
ward, and II can train up our little daugh-
ter to follow in the footsteps of her mother 1
shall have accomplished my mission upon
earth. The flower of love shall ever bloom
in my memory, and, whether / live long or
die soon, her sweet influence will follow me
to my grave. i can scarcely realize that she
whom loved so passionately now lies within
the narrow confines of this coffin, and that
shall never again hear her voice norisee her at
the window on my return home, giving me
welcome such as was her custom. But, though
she has gone never to return, her influence
will be felt, and will be as enduring as life
itself.
"You will all please come forward and take
a last farewell, after which we will sing her ia
vorite hymn:
- would not live Away,
] ask not to stay"
A gentleman who was present and
witnessed the proceedings says they
were exceedingly impressive, the ladies
being especially demonstratiye in their
grief. The singing was led by par
ticular lady friend. who also played the
organ.
This funeral may be regarded as a
decided new departure, and it would not
be surprising if others followed the ex-
ample Cincinnati Enquirer.