St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-04-26
BURIAL OF A QUEEN,

Gannie Jeffers, Queen of the gypsies of
the United States, was buried at Dayton,
Ohio, few days ago, where the tribe have
considerable property, and large burial
lot in the cemetery. She died at Greenfield,
Tennessee in March. Her body was en-
balmed and removed to Dayton for inter
ment. The former Kings and Queen of the
Gypsy tribes were buried in Dayton.
The origin of this strange people is lost to
history, though they make pretense to Egypt
ian origin. They are wandering vaga
abond tribes, in all the countries of the
earth, and are marked by some of the same
characteristics, fortune telling, palmistary,
thieving, etc. Some countries have refused
them admission to enter their cities, and
severe laws have been passed against them.
But no obstacles have suppressed them, and
they continue their nomadic wanderings in
broken tribes all over the world. The gypsy
physiognomy is Asiatic in type, with tawny
complexion, quick, black eyes, black hair,
high cheek bones, slightly projecting lower
jaw, narrow mouth with fine, white teeth,
with, their light and agile figure, causes
some Of their young women to be considered
beauties. They have few redeeming qualities.
They are treacherous, cowardly, revengeful
and cruel. They have little or no religious
belief, and no words in their jargon of Ian
gunge to signify God, the soul, or immortali-
ty. The numerous tribes have somewhat
different, characteristics and habits in differ
ent countries, and yet, general type marks
them all. 1t has been doubted, as numer
GUS as are the working gypsy gangs in this
country, whether band of genuine gypsies,
as seen in other countries, have ever been in
America.
Certain it is they had local habitation or
headquarters in and about Dayton where
they are real estate owners, an exceptional
characteristic. And their lately deceased
Queen, contrary to the report of the tribes
in other countries, seemed to have some idea
of christian religion, and at least semi
christian burial was awarded her. A large
crowd attended her funeral at Dayton, which
was conducted by one of the leading pastors
Of the city, and the choir of the church at
tended. The PASTORS wife also, ac-
companied the mourners to the grave.
The grave was very large, and the remains
of daghter ten years old, who died in 1866
were exhumed and buried with the mother.
There were stifed sighs and sobs of the mourn
ers gathered around the grave. The preacher
referred to the deceased, whom he had known
personally in life.
She had been a Christian, he said. She
was reader of the Bible, and her well worn
Bible was placed at her feet, now that she
was dead At the conclusion of the preach
er's remarks the choir sang The Sweet Bye
and-Bye," and the services closed.
The remains looked beautiful. She was
laid in handsome casket, made of the finest
wood, and lined with the finest silks and
satins, and mounted with gold and Jewels.
The grave was a capacious one, 1OxS in di-
mansions. After the coffin had been lower
ed into the grave, most affecting scene oc-
CURED. The sons and daughters climbed
down to the coffin to take their last farewell.
Their sobs and cries filed the air, and were
echoed by the mourners who stood on the
brink of the grave. The children threw
themselves on the coffin, kissing the hard
wood, and it was only with great difficulty
they were persuaded to come out of the
grave. A large monument will be erected
to her memory. Thus was buried the alleged
Christian Queen of the gypsies of the United
States, those inexplicably strange nomad wan
dererS over the earth