The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1906-07-26
Extraordinary Precautions Taken
To Prevent Violation Of
Financier's Grave.
FOUR INCHES THICK
Is the Case. Which Weighs Six
Thousand Pounds.
ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS WILL
GIVE IMMEDIATE ALARM IF
GRAVE is TAMPERED WITH
EXPENSE OF FUNERAL GREAT
Err THAN THAT OF ANY OTHER
PRIVATE CITIZEN.
BY Associated Press.

New York, uuly 25.-Encased in q
Dramatically sealed copper envelope
placed with solid mahogany coffin
the body Of Russell Sage was to-day
placed in a chilled steel case, four
inches tick, riveted with steel bolts,
locked with lock, which can only be
opened from the inside, and lowered
ito a grave carpeted and lined with
evergreens, on which the earth was
heaped and the mound built. The
steel case weighs three tons. 1t was
shipped to Oakland cemetery, Troy
yesterday. Immediately after the
steel box and the contents were low
cred into the grave, electrical con
rections were made with wires strung
50 that an immediate alarm will be
given if any attempt is made. to tam
per with the remains. The extraor-
binary efforts to thwart attempts by
grave robbers were sanctioned by Mrs
Sage and by her close advisers.
The expenditure for this protection
and for the coffin and accessories will
be greater so far as known than any
sum expended in the burial of any
O,her private citizen in the United
States, and Is in striking contrast with
the rigid economies practiced during
the long lifetime of Mr.. Sage. Tie
coffin alone. of solid mahogany, with
its copper inside envelope, trimmings,
and mahogany handles, cost approx
mately $1,000. The steel case and its
patent unpickable lock cost $4,000
1t IS called a burglar-proof coffin and
1t is asserted even without the added
precaution of electrical protection o.
guards, It would be impossible for the
most expert grave robber to get at
the body.
Mrs. Sage. it is said, has had
dread of a violation of the sepulchre
ever since the stealing of the body
OF A. T. Stewart, and she readily con-
scented TO the proposal for safeguard
ing the grave of her husband. The
steel case is of such hardness that it
would take two expert safe openers a.
full day TO break the outer shell and
then only by the employment of
specially constructed tools. There is
no visible lock to be attached. Once
the lid is closed down, a self-locking
mechanism clamps it inside at twenty
points, and not the slightest opening
ls left for the insertion of a wedge
Inc corners are all rounded
Following brief committal service
at the grave to-day, the lid of the steel
case was finally closed. The epitaph
70 be engraved upon the Sage monu
ment Is:
Have Done the Best That I Could
Dy the Light of the Day."
Inc will of the dead flnancier will
Ue orered for probate tomorrow. and
'tueh, II Mrs. Sage consents, it's co.,
Veats viii be made public.
=, Funeral Services Simple.
~ New York. July 25.-The scenes Of
ene residence of the late Russell Sage
rHtn avenue to-day where lay the
aoGy OF the deceased financier, were
~ keeping with the simple funeral
serVHes held at Far Rockaway. L. I.
;ss'erday. A few intimate friends of
MT and Mrs. Sage heard the prayers
were read by the Rev. Andrew
~ .ndseman, ID. D., assistant pastor
o. me Collegiate Reformed church. a
wv minutes before the body was re-
Toneu from the house to be taken to
.oy, N: Y, for interment- The en-
Sne nrst floor Of the residence was
% 'ea with floral tributes. At the head
oron ms coffin stood large wreath of
,h o"IIs and White roses a token from
ca r Jerks In Mr. Sage's office. In the
f nor OF the casket lay a wreath
to' on Miss Helen Gould, and at the
'O'' was another from George Gould.