The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-04-02
MISS E,IMA MAYO DEAD.
May he Buried in the Oak Coffin Made
for Her Years Ago.
VII, W,rf1

New York World
Miss Emma X. Mayo. q niece by marriage
Of the late General Winfield Scott, and in her
day one of the most handsome women IN
Elizabeth died there yesterday Of pneu-
monia after a few days illness. Miss Mayo
was forty-eight years old when she died, aud
at the period Of the civil war was ore OF the
leaders in society 40 Elizabeth, where her
family moved in tho highest circles ana were
noted FOR their aristocratlc lineage lhey
we're cousins Of the famous May0 iamly oil
Richmond. Va. after whom the Mayo Drluse
across the james liver IS named
An elder sister Of Miss Mayo married Cen
eral Archie Gracee. Of the Confederate army,
and another sister is the wife Of Lawyer how
ard Richards. # Elizabeth, a prominent
officer in the State Charities Aid Association
of New Jersey.
Miss Emma Mayo years ago surprised her
friends by entirely Withdrawing from society
and becoming very austere and religious IN
her manner, and devotlng her life To- chari-
table works. She was considered rthcr &C.
centric. and a freak of hers about that time
gained her widespread notoriety.
She had an oak coffin made at cost Of
800. in which she announced her intention
OF being buried After ndertakcr y. {. o.
den. Of Elizabeth. had the coffin built accord
ing to her express directions she visited his
store TO find out by actual measurement
whether il would answer the purpose. 10 J.,
alleged she lay in the coffin and expressed
herself entirely satisfied with H.
In some way the story leaked out and got
into the newspapers. and scores az fashion
able ladies hocked 20 Undertaken Ogdens TO
see Miss Mayos coffin. The crowd n curl
osty-eeekers about his place became go
great that couple Of policemen We're
sent for 20 keep the sidewalk clear. Mr.
Ogden WA very much annoyed at the
publicity given the affair, but bis anger WAS
not a circumstance 10 that of Miss Mayo
whose indignation knew no bounds. She
blamed the innocent undertakor because the
fact that she had prepared beforehand for
death leaked ont. and she absolutely refused
10 pay Tor the coffin, which was thus lett on
Mr. Ogden's hands. and he still Las 1t IN ms
possession lie has charge 81 her obsequles
and She will probably be buried IN the casket
she originally selected.
Miss Mayo never married, and although
there was a report Of q blghted love romance
changing the current Of her He, the story was
probably only gossip.
She was tall woman. Of queenly form, a
pronounced brunette and devout Epis opalian.
She regularly attended church. She belonged
10 Christ church and used % assist m deco
rating the edifce for Christmas. Easter and
other important festivals. She had warm,
kindly heart for the poor and distressed, and
probably no person IN the city did as much
for them.
Miss Mayo always wore plain garh Of deep
black. and at first sight would he taken tor a
member Of some religious cou.aternity. She
was truly a ministeriug angel and NO rehg-
ieuse ever was more sincere IN her profession.
Every Friday morning regularly for "a number
of years Miss Mayo could bee found ar the
Union county jail administering spiritual con-
ISOLATION % the prisoners and taxing part IN
the services which Rev. +. VI. McAllster. Of
Trinity church. conducted she had "a sweet
voice and used to lead IN singing tle hymns
by her demise the poor Of Elizabeth viii
miss devoted generous and unselhsh friend
who has spent al her wealth and the better
Episcopal church loses one Of It's most zeal.
Gus and faithful members.