The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-02-28
HIS BODY TURNED TO MARBLE.
The Remarkable Effect of Cremation
in a Missouri Town.
From the st. Louis Globe Democrat.

From the st. Louis Globe Democrat
CAssvILLE, Mo-, Feb. 11.-Great interest
is manifested here over remarkable cir
cumstance which has just come TO light.
It happened on Off Davis, near BuZZard
Roost. When old man Clayback came out
of the late war be was physical wreck,
but, like many Others of the state militia,
was too independent 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. coins.
About five years ago the old man began
to get 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 room and called in physician, who,
after carefully diagnosing the case, gave as
his opinion that instead OF rheumatism
ailing the man it was true case
of Justification. Nothing could be
done, and he advised his patient to make
ready for the end, although he might live
for some time. The old man took the doc
tors advice and did not seem to have any
fears of death, but dreaded the yawning
grave aud the cold clammy earth. To
make his thoughts more pleasant and re-
lieve him of his only terror, friend sug
gested cremation as an avenue of escape
from the grave, a clan which he hailed with
JOY and gave directions accordingly.
The disease continued, complete ossifca-
ton took place, and the old man died. How
to carry out the wishes of the deceased at
first troubled the bereaved family, until
thew learned that Stephen Symphony was
burning lime in his kiln, which had been
fired three days and was reaching a white
haat nQsiriuO To fbA agbQQ thaU
cured a large evaporating pan belong
ing to a lnolasses mill. Placing the re-
mains 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, expect
ing the rapid incarceration and disintegra-
ton of the departed. In few minutes toe
winding sheet was gone and the naked
body was exposed to the intense heat.
From the ears, nostris and mouth came
jets of steam, broken at first, then solid,
and in an hour had ceased, but no change
was perceivahle 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
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 hooks, 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 sur
prise, however, awaited the family, for
when the body became cold it was
ascertained that the intense heat acting
upon the ossified body had changed
il to perfect marble, a little lighter
in color than the natural body, but retain
ing its natural shape, except on the back,
which is a little fattened. The only de-
fects are where there was bullet wound
and in the left foot, which Is broken in two.
In 1870 Mr.. Clayback cut his foot very
severely, splitting 1t between ZIG second and
third toes. and following tlsS wound a
rupture appeared, which caused the loss as
above stated. Where a snail blood vessel
had burst in his leg there appeared deli
cate tracing Of the circnlatiof.e The family
are having a pedestal cut out OF native
limestone, and will mount tue Statue" but
at present they are using BLACK gum block
for tho purpose. - ia- s4