The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-10-18
DYING PLEA NOT GRANTED.
BESSIE STONE AND ROBERT
GILL LIE IN SEPARATE
GRAVES.
Gin's Coffin Buried in Flowers Inn
presaive Scenes Around the Two
Graves.

Gin's Coffin Buried in Flowsrs-lm-
prosaive Scenes Around the Two
Graves.
SEPARATE graves cover the forms oil
BESSIE Stone and Robert Gill the youth
inl couple. who, Ia the last moments Oi
their existence, wrote pathetic appeals
to their parents that they be not sep
arated In death. The parents OF the
youuggirl were not sufficiently rtconciled
to carry ont the request to place their
daughter aud her lover In one grave,
and go there were separate graves and
separAte ceremonies Indeed. few ii any
of the wishes so earnestly expr'ssel 10
| the letters Of the suicides were carried
ont by their friends They wefc buried
/ in Noodlawn Cemetery Friday alter
noon In the presence OF nearly eight hun
dred people, almost the entire 'mmun-
ity attending.
The public schools closed at IN early
hour to afford the children an oP2oftun.
ity to attend the services and bu- and
To pay their last mark OF rev pect t.
those who but recently lad been their
| playmates. mo
The funeral services commenced at3:3O
and lasted until nearly q o'clocS Key
MIR Howle, If the seventh Day Advent
lists. Richmond conducted the scrvices NJ
the Christian Church over the body oi
Bessie Stone. The church WAS crowded
20 the utmost capacity. The minister
spoke with tender words OF til young
girl. but could say little OF comfort TO
the parents and friends. lie I'D this
WAS the saddest funeral he ID ever
preached. That he could find no ming IN
the Scripture on which could l. based
any hope uf God 4 mercy IN the case OF
Bessie stone. tie said that thu young
girl could not be considered as muir
deress, ~ she had borne no hatred in
her heart, but that che had made the
serious mistake Of her life in loving any
one more than the Saviour.
Contrary 10 the request Of the young
girl who asked in h-r last letter that no
flowers be used, her body was literally
wrapped in the choicest floral gitts. The
colin was covered with white velvet
and great quantities OF white flowers
were laid upon il, among them two
large pieces in the shape OF floral pillows
from the children OF the public schools.
Two graves had been simultaneously
prepared. hut not together. They were
in adjoining lots, which had been pur-
chased since the awful tragedy. They lie
about three feet apart, only walkway
separating them, and thus, though not
together. they lie side by side
The bereaved parents, who have been
almost FRUSTRATED by the tragic death OF
their daughter, stood AT the head OF one
grave, and, after the usual ceremony, re
manned, as did the entire assemblage. un.
ill the hearse returned with the body Of
young Robert Gill.
ROBERT GuL's FUNERAL.
The remains of Robert Gill vera r.
moved from Crews undertaking estab-
| lishment direct 20 the cemetery, and the
services were conducted at the grave by
Rev. Mr.. Lapsley and Rev Mr. Monroe,
of the Presby terrain church.
/ They were very sinpl, and 0ppropri
ate in every respect.
During the ceremony the Society OF
1 Covenanters of the Pres 10y teriah church,
Of which society young Gill was mem
Der, stood IN BODY around the grave
and were deeply affected.
The prophecy Of becoming burial he
ing over, the citizens have begun 70 re-
h-ct upon the affair and To solve II poe
ible the problem of their self destruction.
Morbid and abnormal IDEAS seem 20 have
taken possession Of both these young
people.
Robert Gill was known to have been a
constant reader ci trashy hciion ana
dime novels, but had recently given this
up on account Of strong appeals that
/ Bessie Stone had made TO him
He had given up many bad practices
and il is uuquesiionsbly true that their
lives were Ia perfect sympathy.
There il not a suspicion Of the impro.
priety Of their moral behavior or social
relations.