The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-04-08
The NiceIys' Funeral.
BURIED on THEIR FATHERS FARN-SOO pr,
SONS PREsENr-THE oBsEQUrEs Of sc
ENfN CHARACTER.

tility of its soil and the grandeur of it,s,
vironments was the scene Of the cIo.;..
act in the famous tragedy which for 49,
long weary years has attracted the atis,,;o-
ofthe people of western Pennsylvania.
The fifth and last act was eonsnms,s5 q,
Sunday, just years. 1 month and d,r,
after the first. The stage in this instance bs;r,
the old homestead situated miles son,b !,
Ligonier in as beautiful country and 7,o,
as fine and fertile farm as is to be sos,5
beneath the canopy of heaven and vbs,.
these two murderers first saw the H,h, -
day, spent their childhood, grew 10 MAJ.
hood, settled down for life and where tbsv
with their interesting families. lived ON ,b,.
fatal February 9th, SO. when tie Umbs.
ger murder was committed.
The furneral was set for 2o'elock. but Inn,
before that hour people commenced to ar.
rve and fully 500 persons of all ages w.,.
assembled 20 hear the services and %.
glimpse of the persons who have been q,
prominently before the people of the conn.
ty and State ever since they were arrested
April 4rh, 1889. The collins containing tbsi,
remains were placed in the little parlor N
tue west end OF the twO-Story frame housa
aud into this room, around the remains nj
their loved ones, the friends gathered. while
al the doorway, leading to the large dining.
r0om, was stationed the ministers, who
tJOk part in the solemn services. which
commenced promptly at the hour Of
O'Clock with the reading of the 18th Psalm.
after which Rev. Q. w. Miller, of the Evan.
gelical Association Of Ligonier, in an earnest
prayer, invoked the blessing Of Him who
doeth all things wisely. The choir then
sang hymn $50, commencing, "Why should
We start and fear TO die" at the conclusion
OF which Rev. Prof. W. J. Swigart, of Hum
ingdon College, Huntington, Pa, preached
a brief but appropriate funeral discourse,
based upon Psalm 46.l
During the delivery Of II every ear va,
open eager to catch each word as il fell from
the speakers lips.
Owing to the great crowd which packed
the house, but few were able to hear the
minister. The words were to the living
and not the dead, and were full of consola-
ton and comfort to all the members of the
bsreaved families, whose great grief was
manifested frequently during its delivery
and in many instances the words of truth
and soberness, as they fell from the speak.
ers lips, caused the tears to course down the
cheeks of many a parent. Elder George
Hanawalt, Of Boucher. followed Rev. Swi-
CART and made an interesting and appropri-
ate address, in which he referred briefly TO
the murder. and spoke of the sympathy Of
the Nicely family for the bereaved family in
Somerset and said that none deplored the
murder more than did the parents and
friends Of the Nicely brothers. who, on the
ignOminious gallows on Thursday, paid he
penalty for the commission Of thai awful
crime. During his remarks he said tha;
their church ives opposed 10 the penalsy ioT
capital crimes, and he though that ,he SsSls
asked too much when il asked for and tO0s
these brothers, even if they were guilty Of
which he thought there might be soDs
doubt. He said, however, the time nigh;
come in the lives of many present when
what now seemed dark and mysteriOr
would be made plain, and their guilt or iS
nocenee known beyond the shadow Of
doubt.
At the close Of Elder Hanawalts address
the well known hymn. ASLEEP in Jesus,
Blessed Sleep," was sung, after which, in an
earnest prayer, he invoked the blessing Of
Almighty God upon the families of the dead
brothers. At the conclusion Of this earnest
supplication Elder Hanawalt announced
that at the request Of the families abe bodies
would not be exposed to public view. But
at the earnest solicitation of some Of old
man Nicely's most intimate friends. who eE-
planned to him that many were there to ard
in paying the last sad rites to his dead boys,
and were earnest spmpathizer with him,
and were anxious, not out of idle curiosity,
70 view their remains, and after some lltle
consultation he assented. and the announce
ment was made that after the family had tas-
en- leave of them, the bodies would be taken
outside Of the house and placed alongside o.
the walk, and an opportunity given to ali
TO take last look at the insnimaie iorns
of the dead murderefs. This announce
ment was received with great satisfaction
by the crowd.
Then the door leading into the pafof'
where the friends and the dead Tere, ES
closed and for a few minutes they were isH
to themselves, during which the 6nal lease
taking, which was the most pathetic seens
ever witnessed in that community, was 'af-
en-, and the manifestations Of grief we're di'-
cernable several rods away from the hoase
and brought tears from many within ses'
ing distance. Immediately aeer the easkeS
were taken out Of the house and placed up
on chairs along side the board walk, 'es0
ing from the front porch to the road 'Ds
lids were removed and fully eight hunorTe
persons passed along and looked IN up""
the faces of those wayward sonsr EnO''
countenances did not indicate TO the ca'uA
observer that they would be guilty Of 'n@
highest crimes in the calendar. Win 'l'
exception of those who in any way '"O,
part or aided the Commonwealth in TIE PiV
secution Of this case, all got glimpse y
the dead brothers. This was upon the
quest of their many friends and pers0i@
who knew all these persons stood al ihs '
trance and warded all such of. Tbs eaas'1
considerable comment that was not wy
favorable. After the last person bad pass
their biers the lids were closed and IVY
were carried by the pail bearers selected 'nI
placed in two wagons when the mouinia.
procession started upon its march 70 -
private burying grounds (sbout ivV ~,
from the house, on a high knoll on 'De
western end of their farm, overlooking nc
homes and the surrounding country
miles around. Upon the arrival OF 'he JUS
eral cortege and before the co fins Eefe ~
cred into the graves three handles were %
en- from each casket, as well as plates uPO-
which were engraved, 4" At Rest, ana si''I
into the keeping Of The family, who T'n'''
them as relics.
A very brief service was held al the 0p'-
graves. Rev. Miller pronounced the -.
diction, after which the families OF ihe ''1.
men returned To the little old house Oh -
father and bid tbenfelves from the iD''
stare of the curious crowd.