Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-05-12
LEAVING THE CHURCH.
Farewell Services Begun at the Old
Home on Fifth Avenue.
STORIES FROM ANCIENT RECORDS.
Minutes Of the Eoard on the Only Body
Snatching Case.
BILL FOE OIL AT ONE DOLLAR A GALLON

Church, Fifth avenue, were begun last
evening, and will be continued every even
ing up to and including Sunday. The meet
ing last evening was held in the Sunday
school room, which was crowded to its
utmost capacity. The services consisted of
devotional exercises conducted by the pas
tor, Rev. d. Jones, and an address
by Rev. j. d. Herr, d. D., a
former pastor. The programme for
the balance of the week is as follows: This
evening, social reunion from 7:30 to $50;
address BY Rev. J. F. Dryer, President
Pittsburg Annual Conference; Friday even
ing, meeting of all the societies of the
church, reports of organization, work, con-
dition, ETC., and address by Rev. d. S. Stew
ems, D. D., editor Methodist Recorder. Sum-
day, Sunday school a15 A. NJ, baptism
10. 80 A. NJ, reception of members and SER
mon by Rev. j. J. Murray, D. D., of Balti-
more: P NJ, historical meeting address ses
BY Rev John Cowl, ID. D., Rev. d. Jones,
and others; 7.30 P. NJ, last services in the
church-sermon by Rev. John Scott, D. D.,
and communion services.
The date of the charter of this old church
is March g. 1928, and on March 49, 1928,
the first meeting of the chartered trustees
was held at the residence of P. Leonard,
Wood street The trustees were Edward
Moore, Thomas Robinson, Joseph Tabor,
Adam Baker, L. Remington, Adam Apple
gate, John Bayard and P. Leonard
Moved There just 60 Years Ago.
A peculiar coincidence of the removal
from the present site is that in June, 1882,
H. &L,t
and on June 1, 1892, 60 years atterward, the
property will be turned over to Kaufman
Bros. The original minute book of the
Board of Trustees is still in use. The first
entry is dated March IS, 1928, and the last
May 9, 1892. There are many quaint and
curious entries under the old dates, of which,
through the kindness of Secretary Moore, a
DISPATCH representative was permitted to
copy few. One bears the date October 4,
1928, and reads:
1.-The committee agree that the preacher
in charge, Brother Lambdin, shall have
$3.50 for his ministerial labors this year
without any further allowance for fuel or
table expenses" On Octaber 13 it was re-
solved that the sexton receive 81 for dig
ging graves for children under Il years and
81 % above that age in the Methodist bury
ing ground n. Holmes, C. Craig and j.
Werner appointed committee on burying
ground"
Body snatching seemed to be in vogue in
those days. for another record SAYS:
On December l3 the board met with ].
Werner in the chair. Whereupon it was laid
before the board and stated hy the sexton,
Robert White, to be a matter of fact that on
and carried of from the Methodist grave
yard the corpse of Mrs. Cunningham de-
ceased. Also certified that he did decently
inter the aforesaid corpse on Monday, as
aforesaid hpinV tlR Sth daU nj DapaO1he,
ls2s 1t was then moved by c. Craig
that reward of $50 be offered
discovery OF the person or persons that he
or they shall be convicted of such offense
before proper tribunal agreeably to the
laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
and to the full intent that a discovery be
made and the offender be convicted The |
President of this board, Thos. Robinson, |
shall and is hereby authorized to advertise |
the stolen corpse in the newspapers three |
successive weeks. Offering the reward of
$50. Moved that the Sexton be allowed the |
sum of 81 for examining the grave and other
attendance in trying to f1nd some trace that |
would lead to the discovery of the stolen |
corpse.
OIL Sold for a Dollar Gallon.
Al a special meeting held April %, 1929, |
it was moved that "P. Leonards bill, now |
before US, showing a charge MAY Z, 1928. |
for one barrel, 80 gallons oil at 500, $50, |
etc, account current balances in his favor |
$40 75. All moneys received from graves |
to go toward liquidating debt" The Treas
urer was notified to make report, and, hav-
ing failed to do so, was deposed and Henry
Palmer was elected in his place.
At a meeting on August %, 1929. the |
following was adopted: "Whereas, Some
mischievous persons have barred the sexton |
of the Methodist Church out of this house |
and by putting lock in place of one by |
which the sexton had the KEY to enter the |
house as well as other KEYS, rendered useless
10 enter where doors have been barred and |
other depredations committed. Therefore,
Resolved, That the sexton be as
sisted with a sufficient guard to
protect the house from violence or house.
breakers, and keep possession of the house
agreeably to the directions of Thomas Rob-
inson and S Remington, who have now and |
are instructed by resolution to see that no
intrusion be made upon the same" 1t was
agreed that fuel, oil, candles, extra wash
ing, loveteast, Lords supper and the sexton
be paid out Of the graveyard fund.
Outsiders Meddled With the Candles.
On November %, 1929, it was resolved
''that it shall be the duty of Robert White as
the proper sexton of the corporation of the
Methodist Church, of Pittsburg having the
charge of and he is required to stay in the
Methodist meeting house in Smithfeld
street at the time of holding all and every
uuScAlnS VI dSStIIlDlN OlNlDc service or
any other religious meeting, or meeting or
assembly for business whatsoever doing
or to be done in the said
house, and keep all things
pertaining to the said house in order and
prevent any person or persons from med
ding with the fixtures of said house and
from trimming the lamps, candles, or from
meddling with the stoves, doors, windows
or any other thing belonging in or about
the said meeting house that is or shall here
after be under the care of said sexton other
than he shall direct by the direction of the
Board OF Trustees" January 8, 1880, the
sections salary was raised $25 per year. to
be paid from the graves.
On September 16, 1885, it was resolved
"that the sexton be allowed S125 per annum
for keeping the meeting house in Fifth
street in good order, and giving good atten-
tion to all its parts and meetings held there
in, and all other duties and services that
properly devolves upon q church sexton, to-
gether with keeping the cutters and water
courses around the house in good order.
Two dollars were allowed Superintendent
Lewis for boarding the preacher, provided
nothing to be construed to prevent our
friends in Allegheny town from boarding
Brother Dunlavy."
All through the book are strange phrases,
but space will not allow the producing of
even one-third of them. The handwriting
is clear and legible, although the pages are
yellow with age. Great care has been taken