The sun., 1900-06-17
INDIANA FUNERAL TALES.
The Bissest Conn Ever Made and Quee
Barials Recalled BY Undertakers.

INDIANAPOLIS, June ie.-The recent meeting
Of the Undertakers Association Of Indiana led
to discussion Of the proposed manufacture
Of burial caskets out Of glass and 1t was decided
almost unanimously that. II the project proved
feasible, II would result in good both to the ur-
dertakers and to the people who need their ser
vices for prices could be made uniform and
decorations or expensive trimmings would be
useless II was said that such caskets would
be air tight and that bodies could be preserved
indefinitely. Another advantage would be
ths. they could be viewed wtaeIt opening q 'he he
cast much the same as plate glass and that
moulds corresponding to all the various sizes
will be made for their manufacture
As an Incident to the discussion. several stor-
les with reference to the sizes OF collins and 70
the ideas Of persons regarding burial were told.
and II was said that some OF the largest cof1ins
stance. the supposed largest comm ever made
was for John Hanson Craig, the Hendricks
county giant who travelled with number Of
OF his CONN were seven feet four inches in
length. three feet three Inches in width, and two
feet two inches in depth. he was % carried no 70
hearse would not admit the coffin, and 1t re-
aulred eight men to carry the Teepains from the
wagon 10 the grave; Mrs. Ida Crecraft o2f
Russisville was another for whom the coffin
| had to be specially made. 1t measured six feet
six inches In length and was thirty Eight inches
| wide and thirty Inches deep. Mrs. craig, vile
Of the Hendricks county giant required conn
and 1t Is said that T. took nearly forty yards OF
| goods to make her shroud.
Boxzel Foster who lived and died in Warre1,
county, had a desire for line coflln and mao
one made as nearly like President Ghrhsld,s $
as possible. II was made by Springfield
! Ohio manufacturer and the cost was $500
| Foster was % years Of age when he died 9nd
the contract for the coifln was let two years be
fore. II is said that he took decided avereor
| 70 women when young man and ior more thai
forty. wears he occupied room IN ne oid nome.
| IT,. just before his death he engaged every
vehicle in the town and country around and had
! notice published In the local papers inviting
free ride. A special invitation was sent to ev,
cry. woman in the town 10 attend the fnnera
and see how man who had lived without wo
| men all his life could be buried.
tons for his funeral we're those Of. William
Decker, whose coffin was made in this STAT,
though he ysS at es N sSrs 'f bis dss Death
was painted bright vermillion, and IA said to b
| the only red comm that was ever made N m
State, On the name-plate was engraved thi'
| inscription, which was DUPLICATED later on thu
headstone Of his grave: Here lies the body
of William Decker. who always paid 100 cent
Jesse " Knox. who died at his home nea
| Amboy, had primitive ideas regarding hi
burial and these were carried out to the letter
He directed that a straight box should be mad'
! out Of two-ipch oak, dove-tailed together
and that the planks should not even be dressed
| He had two inches OF savdust placed in tn.
| bottom. and upon this his remains we're placed
lie was able TO afford an. expensive fuperal
and his relatives protested against his direc
| tons, but he refused 70 recall them, and sait
that he wanted TO avoid all needless show.
| James Dewherst, a farmer OF Crawford
| county, went to leavenworth one day ant
seemed 10 be attracted by the coffhs whcl
| the undertaken was Displaying. He price,
one and then another. and finally got the un
| dertaker TO fix a lower price If he would TAX
two. He left without making the purchase
| but day or two after drove up TO the under
| takers and got two coffins, one for hmsel
| and one for his wife. paying $50. each. III
| declared that he had got a bargain, and th
collins are now in his house ready for the oc
| casion as soon as II comes
Two coffins have been made In this Stat
| FOR persons who wanted TO be buried in reclin
ing positions Another instance which wa
noted was the order OF a physician who wante,,
ing TO actual measurents OF his body.