Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-11-27
MRS. BEsELER CREMATED.
Tue Lsnca.,ev CTematorinm Dedicated With
Religious Services

Religious Services.
A Lancaster tPa.) SPECIAL says The Ian
caster crcmsioriun, built by the Lancaster
Cremation and Funeral Reform Society.
was dedicated this TUESDAY afternoon with
appropriate religious services. After the
dedication the fires were started and the
body q Mr.. Chrisiiana Bcseier, Of No. l0l
Greene street, Jersey City, v. j., was re-
duced TO ashes. The crematorium is the
second establishment Of this kind In The
United States. and the only one now open
TO the general pnbbc. The building occu-
pies an elevated position in the southern
part Of the city. I: viii be furnished with
TWO retorts when completed. Only one is
in operation Just now.
The dedication ceremony opened with
PRAYER 10y the Rev. Or. George Gaul, OF ST.
Panfs Methodist church; after which the
building was delivered 10 The Society by
DR.. l.. NJ. Davis, chairman Of the Build
ing Committee. In doing so he called at
teniioD 20 the importance Of cremation
from II sanitary point OF view. He spoke
Of the increasing dangers that are likely 10
arise from the oyercrowding Of our camc-
teries. not alone from poisonous gases. but
from the contamination Of water. During
his address be said that recent scientific
Nt~'NN'l'~ uaNN ruONh tltdt tDf QUIZ Vi iUt
cburcbyards in which yellow fever victims
have been inferred is alive with microbiln
organisms. They are, il is said. exactly
idcnticalwi those found III the vomit and
blood Of persons who had died OF the
dreaded disease.
When the exercises were finished The fire
was started. and in a short time the ret0rt
was ready for its first trial The body OF
Mrs. Boselcr arrived on tie 1875 train this
afternoon from Washington, Penn. where
IL had been IN receiving vault since the
early Fart Of July. IL was intended at first
10 have this incncration take place in the
lie Moyne cremaiory, but at the time OF the
death Of this lady the Washington crema-
tory was closed to the general public. Mr.
V. Harding, n son-in.law OF lie Moyne.
made application to the trustees Of the
Lancaster establishment. They answered
that their building would not be ready un-
I'll November, and If the remains were pre-
served by IN enbalming process until that
time his request would Dc complied with.
This was agreed to, and, according 10 ar
ran2emcnt. the caskct containing the body
Of Mrs. Beselcr arrived IN tins city this
afternoon.
when everything was in readiness the
body was placed on the movable cat1fslquc,
and the certificate Of the death Of the wo-
man was read. Then Dr. Gau read the |
services OF The Methodist Episcopal Church, !
somewhat for cremation. After /
the husband Of the lady and several OF the |
Of her family had taken the last /
look The cataialQuc was slid into the retOIt. 1
The doors we've shut, and the body was I
slowly consumed. In little over an hours 4
time The remains were reduced to ashes.
and the fires were allowed 10 die out. The I
retort will be given chance TO cool, and /
no attempt will be made 10 remove the /
ashes until tomorrow afternoon. Then I
they will he placed in box and given TO /
Mr.. BCScler to dispose OF Is he sees iii. /
Mr.. Bcseer ard his wife lived on the I
top floor Of q ihrCe.slOry house, at No. l0l .
tIcene street. Jersey City. They were .
both Germans. hut had lived in tails coun-
try the greater part OF their lives. Mr.. Be- .
seller is a cabinet maker. and has been in
The employ OF the Pennsylvania Railroad I
Company for the past twenty-five vars.
His wife WAS siNty-two years ol age, and .
as old age began to show it, effects she Of .
ton expressed a desire to he cremate5 ,
About The III Of last July she was taken 4
,uddcnly III. and DR.. II. Melville Smith, Of /
No. IL Sussex street. was called III. and he .
pronounced the case a hopeless one. Mrs.
ResclCr was told Of tins. and requested 10 7
prepare for death. She said she did not +
fear death, but she made her husband F
promise that he would have her body re- +
duced To ashes in Il cremltOry and never /.
place il in q cemetery. Her life was in
,ured. and she told HIM 10 use the proceeds /
Of her policy for that purpose.