Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1883-02-14
RIOT AT A GRAVE.
A Difference OF opinion Settied ny
Fight,

"A Difference OF opinion Setio" ~
Fight.
A large body of carriages followed the
body of Dennis Callahan's little chlla 10
Calvary cemetery, Long Island, On =
recent Sunday afternoon. The boats 9i
the Roosevelt street ferry were crowded,
New Chambers, Roosevelt Catharine'
ind Oak streets were largely Represented
The cemetery was reached at D pm.
The grave was in section 3, densely
populated portion of the old cemetery;
-Four section men were present 10 a'tehu
TO the burial. The grave already con.
tanned the remains of two OF Callahan
children, buried one above the other.
As the funeral party surroundeo 'le
grave, Callahan's parents discovefeo' 40
they believed, that this was not the
right grave. The announcement caused
u sensation, and loud cries were nearo
Tor the coffin plate from the last inter-
ment. The workmen did not produce
it, and finally admitted that they couid
,aot. tt had been torn from the CONN
10y shovel, they said, and proDaD
buried in the dirt. Their excuse was
received with marked disapproval,, ,andsa
sharp discussion followed, when was
closed by proposition from the grand,
mother to remove the upper coffin ana
examine the plate of the lower one.
"Hhe graves all right" one OF the
grave dggers said; but if you choose
to stand here and wait, we'll find out for
you"
The upper coffin was removed, and
the plate below settled the fact at once
hat the grave was the correct one, out
lid not check tile loud murmurs against
the grave diggers, one OF whom stili
remained standing in the grave Whiie
The casket which had been removed was
replaced. The friends 2 owded eagerly
about, and they were grully told by the
grave digger2 hat they would cave the
earth in unless they were more careful.
As the Little coffin which contained the
lemails Of the child was lowered into
he ground, Mortimer O'Snlliyan struck
Eatrick Flynn, a grave digger, blow
which hurled him into the grave. Flynn
attempted to strike a blow in return, but
she funeral party closed in and prevented
him, Callahan at the same time striking
John Kennedy, another grave digger.
All the latter carry small whistles with
which to summon help in the event OF
the earth caylng in upon them. John
Garrahan, the foreman, blew his whistle,
and the others then blew theirs.
Policeman Powers came rushing to the
SPOT with two others of the cemetery
police. The funeral party made q
determined resistance, but another call
from the whistles brought fifteen more
grave diggers. :,
Powcrss club was torn from his hand,
but he seized another, and finally
Callahan, O'Sullivan, and jeremiah
Haggerty of Madison and Pearl streets,
were taken to the lookup in Newtown
village by Constable Hicks, the funeral
procession following. Many OF the
ltten 1ants at the funeral returned to
New York after the prisoners werelocked
up, but many also remained in New
town.
A grave digger who saw the occurrence
said:
"lt all occurred SO quickly ana tne
rush upon us wa8so sudden tnat marcy
knew what occurred L am saslsueo,
though, that the men VINO tooH tng
heaviest part IN the light escaped.
saw women clinched IN llSht WIN men,
and saw one OF the tuneral party chaSlng
4 grave digger with tent pole ana
another with a large Stone, 'oeveral ol
ihe coachmen joined IN Win thelr liStS'
! heard one OF them shouting 'cnuck
'nem al INTO the grave ana oury
them >. >,
"lhls IS not the ilrst aflalr OF Ihe Klna
vt Calvary cemetery. Jonll heal oI