The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1890-08-09
A CREMATION FREAK.
The Body of Veteran Turns to Marble
While Being Burned.

The Body of Veteran Turns to Marble
While Being Burned.
A letter from Cassville, Mo-, to the
st. Louis Globe-Democrat tells this:
Great interest is manifested here over a
remarkable circumstance which has Just
come to light. It happened on Off
Davis, near Buzzard Roost. When old
man Clayback came out of the late war
he was physical wreck, but like many
others of the State militia was too inde-
pendent to ask for pension, even if he
could have secured one. and made his
living in the best way he could until his
six boys and seven girls got old enough
to help him.
About five years ago the old man be
gan to1get very bad with rheumatism, as
he thought, and, although he used the
entire crop of spicewood berries which
grew on the creek, he continued to get
worse. Two years ago he got so stiff as
to be confined to his house. and called in
physician, who, after carefully dag
noslng the case, gave as his opinion that
instead of rheumatism ailing the man it
was true case of Justification.
The disease continued, complete ossi-
! tication took place. and the old man
died. How to carry out the wishes of
the deceased, who had expressed de-
sire to be cremated, at first troubled the
bereaved family, until they learned that
Stephen Symphony was burning lime in
his kiln, which had been fired three DAYS
and was reaching white heat. Desir-
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large evaporating pan belonging to IL
molasses mill. Placing the remains in
this, they carefully showed the whole
into the kiln, which was an open one on
top, and, being built in the side of the
hill, was easily accessible.
The sorrowing family gathered around,
expecting the rapid incineration and dis
Indignation of the departed. In few
minutes the winding sheet was gone and
the naked body was exposed to the in
tense heat. From the ears nostrils and
mouth came jets of steam, broken at
first, then solid, and in an hour had
ceased, but no change was perceivable
in the silent form. More wood was fed
to the glowing furnace to make the vigil
OF the bereaved briefer, but still no
change. More wood was pitched in,
and hotter still the fire ragged. Hour
after hour passed, and from a glowing
red to an Opaque white the body turned,
while on the countenance seemed to
rest an expression of infinite peace and
satisfaction. So three days wore away,
and the fire must be drawn or the lime
spoiled. Twenty-four hours later, by
means of graphing hoops, the pan and
body were raised, and, to the surprise of
every one, the body was still intact and
glowing. A greater and more pleasant
surprise, however, awaited the family,
for when the body became cold it was
ascertained that the intense heat acting
upon the ossified body had changed it to
perfect marble little lighter in color
than the natural body, but retaining
its natural shape, except on the back,
which is a little iattened.
The only defects are where there was
a bullet wound and in the left foot.
which is broken in two. In 1870 Mr.
Clayback cut his foot very severely,
splitting it between the second and third
toes, and, following this wound rup-
ture appeared, which caused the loss as
above stated. Where small blood YES
sci had burst in his leg there appeared
delicate tracing of the circulation.
The family are having a pedestal cut
out of native limestone, and will mount
the 'statne," but at present they are
using black gum block for the pur-
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