The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1900-07-13
INDIANA FUNERAL TALES.
The Diggest CONN Ever Mnd~ and
Queer nuriais Recalled by
tndcrtnkers.

CTS AssocJaiOH OF Indiana led TO a dis
cussion OF the proposed manufacture
of burial Baskets out OF glass. and IL
was decided almost unanimously that
III the project proved feasible il would
result in good both TO the undertake
ers and to the people who need their
services. for prices could W. made uni
form and decorations or expensive
trimmings would be useless. IL was
said reports the New York Sun. that
such caskets would be alright and
that bodies could be preserved indefi-
itely. Another advantage would be
At they could be viewed without
.tsning The coffin. II is said that these
baskets are 10 be cast much the same
as plate glass and that molds CORE
spending 10 all the various sizes will be
made for their manufacture.
AS an incident 10 the discussion sew
eral stories with reference to the sizes
OF collins and 10 the ideas of persons
regarding burial were told, and it was
said that some of the largest collins
ever made were for Indiana people. For
instance. the supposed largest coffin
ever made was for John Hanson Craig.
the Hendricks county giant who tray-
eled with number of shows and was
widely advertised as the largest man
in the world. The inside measurements
OF his coffin were seven feet four inches
in width and two feet two inches in
depth. He was carried to his grave in
twohorse wagon. because the hearse
would not admit the coffin, and il re-
quired eight men to carry the remains
from the wagon TO the grave. Mrs. Ida
Crecraft. OF Russiaville. was another
for whom the coffin had 20 be specially
made. II measured six feet six inches
in length and was IS inches wide and
30 inches deep. Mrs. Craig. wife Of
the Hendricks county giant, required
coffin Of nearly the same dimensions
as Mrs. Crecraft. and il is said that
it took nearly 40 yards Of goods to
make her shroud.
Rozzcl Foster. who lived and died in
Warren county. had desire for fine
colin and had one made as nearly Like
President Garficld's as possible Ii was
made BY a Springfield (O) manufacture
er. and the cost was $500. Foster was
G2 years Of age when he died. and the
contract for the coffin was let two
years before. II is said that he took
a decided aversion TO women when a
young man. and for more than 40 years
he occupied "A room in the old home
stead and no woman was ever permit
80. - 4. i -
he engaged every vehicle in the town
and country around and had n notice
published IN the local papers inviting
all the people 10 his funeral and prom
Using a free ride a special invitation
was sent TO every woman in the town
TO attend the funeral and see how
man who had lived without women all
his life could be buried.
In sharp contrast with Fosters prep
arations for his funeral were those of
William Decker. whose coffin was made
in this state. though he lived al Niles.
Mich. The coffin was ordered some
years before his death and was painted
a bright vermilion. and is said to be
the only red coffin that was ever made
in the state On the name-plate was
engraved this inscription. which was
duplicated later on the headstone of
his grave: "iIere lies the body of Will
liam Decker. who always paid 100 cents
on the dollar"
Jesse w. Knox, who died at his home
near Ambov. had primitive ideas re,
yarding burial. and these were carried
out 10 the letter. He directed that n
straight box should be made out OF
swo-inch oak. dovetailed together, and
dressed. He had two inches Of sawdust
placed in the bottom, and upon this his
remains were placed. lie was able TO
afford an expensive funeral. and his
relatives protested against his direc-
tions, but he refused 10 recall them.
and said that he wanted TO avoid all
needless show.
James Dewherst. farmer Of Craw-
ford county. went to Leavenworth one
dav and seemed TO be attracted by the
collins which the undertaken was dis
Playing. lie priced one and then an
other. and finally got the undertaken
to fix lower price If he would take
two. He left without making the pur-
chase. but day or two after drove up
to the uniertaker's and got two cof-
fins. one for himself and one for his
wife. paying $50 each. He declared that
he had got bargain, and the collins
are now in his house ready for the oc-
casion as soon as il comes.
Two collins have been made in this
state for persons who wanted to be
buried in reclining positions. Another
instance which was noted was the or
der OF physician who wanted glove
fitting casket and had it made accord
ing to actual measurements of his
body.
49, Eor,,otion