The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-04-16

Never brighter sun shone over old Bur-
rillville, never were the blue skies clearer
of clouds, never was there such hush as
today prevailed among the hills and dales
of the historic town, whose fair name but
few hours ago was blackened by the
most awful tragedy this state has ever
known, the murder of every member of
the family of Edwin NJ. Reynolds From
every manufacturing village in the
Woonasquatucket valley, from every farm
ing hamlet within radius of twenty
miles, by carriages and by trains came the
mourners. Creed and all other distinc-
tions were wiped out. The whole COM
munity mourned and truly, and the large
attendance at the triple funeral was in
no wise matter OF morbid curiosity.
Early in the morning the romans of
Edwin NJ. Reynolds, his wife Abbic Jane
Reynolds and thoir adopted daughter,
Sevilla Il. Reynolds were removed from
the little undertaking rooms near the
Episcopal Cnuich end conveyed TO the
cbancel of the First tJriiversalist Church,
which the murdered people We're wont to
attend.
The Church Crowded.
The main body of the church was then
opened to the public and in few min
utes every seat was occupied. The funeral
arrangements were in charge Of Deputy
sheriff Oliver A. Inman and senator
spire of the prrtty church ON the main
highway of the village of Harrisville be-
gan tolling at H-e'ciock. 1t told of
death. There was peace in its cadence rs
its sweet sounds ioated over the stillcd
town. Within the church the village folk
Il -
over the remains of beloved townspeople
who had been removed from field Of
usefulness by the hand OF miserable
man who, but short time before had
been subject OF their boUhty. Extra
seats filled the aislcs and all other avail
abe SPACE in tho church. Never before
was there such n scene as this. IL has
probably never been paralloled i'm tho
whole country In front OF the altar, side
by side. were stretched two black cloth
covered cnssets They held all that re-
mained of MIR Reynolds and his wife
Immediately in front was white cloth
covered cnskct eniOlding the handful
that remained Of tho beautiful girl, Sc
villa Tho minister stood above and
looked down upon three caskgts holding
three cruelty murdered t0wnspcOplc.
Beautiful flowers covered the tOps. They
were tributes from relatives and beloved
friends. The hush OF death was on that
isters voice paused and I'm the stiffness
Imagination stopped ere it could encom-
pass the entire significance Of this impress
siVe scene IN the heart of this quiet viii
lage on this Good Friday morning.
An Impressive Address.
Rev. Massona Goodrich, of Central
Falls, who read from First Corinthians
IL chap, 3Jth verse "But somebody will
say how arc the dead raised up the viii
lage choir sang Nearer, My God 90
Thee, /" and Mr.. Goodrich offered prayer,
following with a brief hut impressive
address. Last Sunday said he. II
spent the day IN my temporary home
among your hills, and about nightfali
made calls on valued friends among whom
were those whose lifclcss forms now lie
before US. From the husband | received
kindly courtesy, n most cordial greeting
from his wifo and thoughtful attention
frnn their adopted daughter who mad
been 80 regular In her attendance upon
this sanctuary. OF course 1 was giad TO
see them. ard as the call was terminated
they all asked mo ~ I would not como
again, 20 which ] replied that ] trusted
that that would bo my privileges. How
grcnt was my HStOnishinCnt few hours
after to learn that that peaceful home
had become a blackcncd ruin and that as