Morning journal and courier., 1888-09-13

wagons owned by the company to haul the
boz. The coffin resembled the body of a
cart with the side-boards attached. II was
stained with cherry and braced on the inside
were iron strips. The bottom was three
inches thick and was firmly screwed and riv-.
eted. There were eight strong iron handles
-four on each side. Eight men and one boy
stood comfortably in the huge coffin shortly
after it was constructed. Six men could
scarcely lift it out of the wagon to the pave
ment. The interior was neither lined nor
cushioned in any way, and the only thing on
the inside was small pillow. Those who
saw the dead woman will remember the sight
for q lifetime. Her head, which Is out of
proportion to the rest of her body, was al-
most completely hidden by the fat about her
shoulders. At first glance person would
suppose that she was headless. It was inn
possible TO change her clothing with the ex-
ception of her stockings. Her SONS, William
and John, assisted by several others, tried to
put dress on her, but failed, and long
shroud was substituted.
To get the immense coffin into the house It
was necessary to take out large bow win
dow, frames and all, and q portion of the
wall ON one side had to be knocked out also.
How to get Winnie into the bog was not an
easy problem to solve, but Messrs, Evans &
Spence were equal to the occasion, Twenty
two men, assisted by block and tackle that
was securely fastened to one of the rafters
on the ceiling, were required to do the jeb.
Straps were run under the body and ten men
got upon the bed, five on each side. Two
were assigned to work the pulley, and the
rest were to assist as soon as the corpse was
raised from the bed. At given signal each
man put forth his utmost strength to lift the
body. AS the body was slowly hoisted the
rafters creaked and the ropes and straps were
strained to their utmost. The men on the
floor, as soon as the body was sufficiently
raised, pulled it over the coffin, and Winnie
was slowly lowered into it.
The next move was to get the box into the
wagon that was to take it to the cemetery.
The twenty-five men were arranged on either
side, and, with the assistance of the straps,
succeeded finally in getting il as far as the
window. Getting the body through the win
dow was very difficult job, but the men at
last accomplished it. Is was then found that
the box would not go in the wagon that had
been sent and larger wagon was secured.
The wagon was backed up on the sidewalk
close to the window, and, with the assistance
of the block and tackle the box was at last
got into it. By this time it was nearly dark
and all haste was made to the cemetery.
The immense crowd that had collected about
the house followed the wagon Besides the
wagon there were two hacks which formed
part of the funeral procession. These took
Winnie's two sons and q few friends. Ar
irving at the cemetery, the men again lifted
the coffin from the wagon, but after every
thing was in readiness to lower it into the
ground it was found that the grave was too
shallow and the ground very marshy. Owing
to this latter fact Mr.. T. A. johnson, VIM
nie's former manager, refused to allow the
body to be buried, and another site had to be
selected and grave dug, the work being
done by the light of lanterns. When the
grave was ready to receive the corpse the
twenty-five men lifted the coffin and big
Winnie was allowed to alide slowly into her
last resting place.
Rev. Mr.. Walker, colored, who had of6eia-
ted at funeral at the cemetery shortly be-
fore, was called upon and conducted the fu-
neral services. Some kind-hearted person
placed small bouquet of white flowers
upon the grave. Winnie's sons seemed very
much affected at their mothers death.
Those who saw Winnie when she came to
this city the first time will never forget the
occasion. She arrived from New York at
Union station in the afternoon, having come
in freight car which had been fitted up for
her. A derrick was required to transfer her
from the car to an Adams express wagon
that was awaiting her arrival. The wagon
was gayly trimmed with flags and bunting,
and was driven through the principal streets
of the city, preceded by band of music
and followed by a crowd of men and boys.
Winnie was, for SO large woman, very
small eater. She could not stand upon her
| feet unsupported. Ninnies husband died
about six years ago and she never renewed
| the bonds of matrimony.