The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-11-24
A Strange Story.

n eUteI lroLa newark, n. j., November
8, says: A very strange story is told and
vouched for by all members of the family.
IN connection with the death, ON the 9TH
inst, OF Mrs. Sarah L. Kridel, an old and
respected Jewess, the wife of Isaac Kri-
del, of this place. Mrs. Kridel had five
sons and four daughters and twenty-eight
grandchildren, all of whom live here
Ten years ago Rachel, young daughter.
her mothers pet, died and was buried in
the Hebrew Cemetery on South Orange
street. According to the story of Mrs
Fruber the eldest daughter of Mrs. Kridel.
who lives but few doors from the late
residence of her mother Rachel appeared
to her in her dreams at various times dur
ing the last few years. Until two years
ago, however, she refused to make known
her wants.
My sister always appeared to me, said
the lady, 'just as she was accustomed to
come to me in life; not, as is usual, in the
form of spectre. Two years ago this
fall we had been talking at home about
buying plot in the cemetery and removing
the body of Rachel thither. That same
night, after l had been asleep but few
moments, / saw my sister standing by the
window in my sittting-room, while I, in my
dream, sat in rocker At the time she
appeared in the shroud in which she was
buried, and [ could plainly discern the
needlework upon it. / said
Rachel, what do you wish p
"And she answered, speaking very softly
and slowly:
My bed over yonder pointing out of
the window to the cemetery is very lonely
There is room for one more there by my
side. Ifmamma or any of our sisters should
go across the river, tell them to come to me.
On my right is room for mamma, but if
there should not be room for her there, then
give her my grave and let me rest in her
arms Just here my husband awakened
me and asked why / had startled him.
The next day | related my experience to
my mother and father, and we concluded
to visit Rachel's grave to see whether il
had been tampered with, but found it in
tact. We had not been there for some
years, and as all interments are made il
rows in the cemetery, we were not little
surprised to find all the ground in the vi
cinity of her grave, excepting about two
feet in width by her side, occupied BY
graves. This was the very spot designated
by my sister, and my father Immediately
bought the space, more out of compliance
with Rachel's request than with any inten-
ton of utilizing it.
"My mother then related remarkable
coincidence in the case of my grandmother's
remains, which, after having been buried
for fifty years, were taken up and re
inferred beside those of her mother in the
only vacant space in an unused and ne
elected cemetery, the space having been
made known to the family through a dream
of a sister.
"My mother was taken sick about eight
months ago with dropsy, and she passed
away with dying request to be placed
beside Rachel" This was done yesterday,
all the relatives attending the funeral.
Mrs. Kridel was a native of Crakaw
Austria, and was married forty-three years,
coming to Newark twenty years ago, where
she and her husband have been engaged in
the millinery business.
Mrs Kridel had frequently spoken of
Rachel's solicitude for companionship be-
yond the realm, and as frequently expressed
the hope that it might be her pleasure to
be the first to join her child. In her last
moments she several times called the spirit
girls name, and at one time smile mounted
her face, while she murmured, "Yes, I'm
coming" During one of her rational
spells she promised her family to visit them,
if it was in her power and endeavor to
console them in their bereavement, and the
daughter declares she will not be surprised
to see her mother again before long.
By the advice of the physician the fun
eral, which was announced for yesterday
afternoon, took place Tuesday. There was
a great crowd at the residence, composed of
the relatives and immediate friends of the
deceased, who was widely loved for her
generosity toward the poor Addresses
were made by the Revs d. L. Linsler, M.
H. Newhut and Loeb, each of whom spoke
touchingly of the estimable qualities of the
deceased. The funeral procession was
very lengthy and impressive ceremonies
took place at the grave, which now covers
mother and daughter.
The grave is in an abscure part of the
cemetery, but since the report of the APP
pearance of Rachel among the living the
spot marking her resting place has become
hallowed ground, and hundreds who go to
visit the silent city find their way to the
unmarked mound, as if expecting the dead
one to rise before them A large monu-
ment will now be erected at the head of the
graves, upon which will be inscribed the
strange circumstances attending the dual
interments.
Just before her death she expressed the
wish that her four sons and two sons-in-
law should act as her pall-bearers. These
instructions were carried out on Tuesday.
The funeral took place from their residence
on Broad street, and the grandchildren
placed several elaborate and beautiful floral
designs as tribute around the casket.