The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1889-02-23
A SOLD Err TWICE DEAD.
One Grave At Gettysburg and Apoth ,r
In the Cemetery at Germantown.

Death has at last closed the career of q
Pennsy lvania volunteer soldier, who, &C
cording to the records Of the War Depart
mcnt, has been officially dead and buried
for twenty-five years, although he was
still in the land of the living until few
days ago. This man, who will have two
separate graves Zone ia the National
Cemetery at Gettysburg and the other in
this city,, il Stephen Kelly, who died on
Tuesday last.
At the breaking out Of the war Kelly
enlisted for three years in Company E,
Ninety first regiment, Pennsylvaoia Vol
unteers. lie served out his time of enlist
ment, and, after the war, took up his
residence in this city, in the house where
he died. He became Il member of E. D.
Baker Post, together with number Of
his old comrades. While attending +
summer encampment Of the Grand Army
at Gettysburg, Kelly visited the National
Soldiers Cemetery.
While wandering among the graves AMI
carelessIy reading the Inscriptions his
attention was attracted by stone upon
which he read: Stephen Kelly, Company
Z. Ninety first Regiment, p "" As he
was the only person of that name in tina,
regiment he was astonished, and after
wards remarked to his comrades: II
suppose that is my grave, but am sure
that am not dead or buried. 1t is not
often that person has the privilege of
standing on his own grave"
He reported the fact to the member of
his regiment and to the superintendent of
the cemetery, N. G. Wilson, with whom
he was acquainted, and the latter en-
deavored to have the mistake rectifed
Kelly also called the attention of the
War Department to the matter, and sub
mitted an affidavit from Col. Sellers, who
commanded the Ninety first ddring the
war, to the effect that lie was not dead.
The Secretary of War, however, paid no
attention to the matter and it was drop
ped. Every year afterward Kelly visited
the grave and strewed flowers upon it.
Mr.. Kelly was known among his friends
Az man of scrupulous exactness, and
while in the army he had his name 1t.
tached to every article about his person.
A canteen marked with his full name ,
and connection was lost on the field of
battle and was found beside the body of
4 fellow solder who was killed. As the
body bore nothing to indemnity it, it was
inferred FROM the flask close by that the
nan was Stephen Kelly, and as such he
vas buried and his grave marked. Bates
History of Pennsylvania Volunteers con-
aims full record of the enlistment and
discharge of Kelly and also bis burial
ecord, thus: "Died Buried in Nation
i Cemetery at Gettysburg, Pa, Section
!, grave &c."
Kelly was never married, and lived
Ike hermit at his house, which is
iiapidated looking place. He was taken
4 few weeks ago and refused to be re- r,
'oved to more cheerful place or to u
ave nurse. Although Kelly was a
'oman 0atholic, he left will directing
aker Post to take charge of his body
nd to hold the usual Grand Army burial g
'rvices over his body. On Sunday after ~
BON next the services will be held ia the
ost hall. at Broad street and Columbia
venue, under the direction of Rev. John
7. sayers, the department chaplain of
ie Il. A. r. The body will be taken to
lie vault in Monumental Cemetery on Il
anoaE' and on the following day he re-
loved to the Soldiers Cemetery at Ger.
antown.-Philsdelphia Record.