The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-24
REFUSED A GRAVE.
Catholic'Authorities Refuse Burial in His
Own Lot to John McGuire's Remains.

NEW YORK. Feb. 23.-At the meeting of the
Antipoverty Society, held on Sunday night. at
the Academy of Music. John Mcclure, who re-
aides at No. 245 East Twenty-sevsnth street,
dropped dead from heart disease. Mcclure was
aged man, and had been member OF st.
Stephens Church. and admirer OF DR.. Me-
Glynn. The funeral was to have taken place
yesterday afternoon, but has been postponed on
account Of the refusal OF the Calvary Cemetery
authorities to receive the body. This. at least,
is the claim of McGuire's friends. The remains
were given in charge of undertaken Charles j.
Coote, and the funeral announced for yes
ssrday. Acc ording to numerous statements.
Coots went to the officers or the Calvary
Cemetery, at No. 266 Mulberry street. There
he asked for the usual permission
TO bury the body in the plot owned by the
Mcclure family. Mr.. Brennan, IL is claimed, re-
fused to give the permit which Is SO seldom de-
MED on the ground that the deceased had not
attended to his duties Christian by attend
ing mass and confession. There was quiet
conversation about the matter and finally Mr.
Brennan informed undertaken Coote that he
would have to 90 TO the parish priest. and pro-
cure letter stating that the deceased had at
tended to his Christian duties The undertaken
then called on Father Cotton, of St Stephens
Church, who listened to the statement of Mr.
Coote. and then wrote him letter in which he
stated that to the best OF his knowledge and be-
lief the deceased had attended the mission held
in the church within q few weeks.
Armed with this letter. undertaken Coote
called again on Mr.. Brennan at Mulberry street,
and handed it to him. Mr.. Brennan read it
through carefully, and then. so it is claimed,
stated that the letter was not sufficient to grant
the permit on, Father Cotton had not stated
positively that the deceased had attended to his
religious duties, but only to the best of his be-
lief, and that the permit could not be granted
unless il was positively known that the deceased
had done so. The undertaken was then informed
that he would have TO cell on Preston, who is
chancellor of the archdiocese, about the matter.
w. 49, ia k.A IT, De-
ton was out OF town. Not knowing what to do
in the matter, the undertaken reported the mat
ter to the friends of the deceased. and a number
There was intense indignation expressed on all
sides, and committee was at once
formed to call upon. Dr. McGlynn and
ask his advice as to the best course to pursue.
The committee called at the rooms of the Anti
poverty Society at Cooper Union, and waited
long while without seeing the Doctor: They
were very indignant. One man said: ''rhis
sort of thing tends to make more infidels than a
thousand Ingersolls."
'His own property, too" said another, 'its
outrage that O. man can't be buried on his
own property"
such thing was never heard of BEFORE"
said another.
While others remarked that even il the man
had only attended church once in year his
body would not be treated
The committee did not see Dr. McGlynn. He
had gone home to prepare for a trip to Boston:
at the rooms OF the society that the church
officials desired to prevent members of the
church from attending meetings of the Anti
poverty Society, and wished to frighten them
by all means in their power.
lawyer who was present and who is a mem
Der OF the Catholic Church, said that man
damus could be procured to compel the ceme-
terry officials TO receive the body. The deceased
owned the plot, and the rights OF property held
good even in cemetery; and that in other cases
where burial had been refused, the cemetery
officials had been compelled by law to receive
the remains.
The wife OF the deceased has been buried in
the plot for sixteen years. The grave for her
husbands body is said to have been opened. but
for the reason given, the permit for the burial
TO take place Is withheld. When undertaken
Coote was asked about the matter, last night.
he expressed great surprise when he learned
that it had become public. He, however, re-
fused to say anything about it