New-York tribune., 1913-07-31
SAYS HE'LL EJECT DEAD
FROM JEWISH CEMETERY
Joseph H., Dowd Asserts the
Property Is His and Threat
ems Use of Dynamite.
BODIES CANNOT BE MOVED
Law of Religion Prevents Such
Action, Even if Claimant
Wins Twenty Acres OF
Land in Court.

Huntington. Long Island. July 9.-Hun-
drcds OF graves in the cemetery OF the
Hebrew congregation of Huntington are
threatened with disturbance through
eiectrnent proceedings brought against the
congregation. II was learned YESTERDAY
Through the claim Of Joseph II. Dowd'
retired merchant Of Huntington, that the
property is his, the Jewish law that the
dead may not be moved IS In danger OF
violation.
That doubt exists in regard 10 the
validity Of the title for the cemetery lana
was learned in this village only recently
ard those familiar with the situation are
wondering whether Mr.. Dowd is IN
earnest in his statement that II the graves
are not removed he will take 300 STICKS
Of dynamite TO the cemetery and blow
open the graves The question brought
up against the cemetery, one of the hnest
on Long Island has aroused much excite
ment and the Hebrew congregation here
is much alarmed at the litigation which
has been begun against It's ownership.
Just why the ownership OF the twenty
acres composing the cemetery is In dis
pute is a mystery George Walker. OF
Farmingdale. who is Mr. Dowd 5 lawyer,
to-day said his client held a mortgage on
tho property In 1906 foreclosed this mort
gage and bought I'm the property from
woman
st the time he foreclosed the mortgage
It was said. Mr. Dowd thought OF the
twenty acres only a excellent farming
lard on the Old Country Road. I'm South
Huntington. He was content 20 let the
land lie. and did not visit II for several
years after he foreclosed the mortgage.
Recently. Mr. Walker said. Mr. Dowd
was approached by an acquaintance VINO
asked him about the cemetery on the
South Huntington farm.
What cemetery" replied Mr.. DoNd.
There no cemetery on my farm
He was assured that many tombstones
were scattered over the property, ana
Mr. Dowd went 20 the farm and found
laid out a well kept cemetery. over the
entrance 10 which was an arch on which
was inscribed.
THE Hebrew Congregation OF Hunting
ton"
Much mystifed at the existence Of the
cemetery. according 20 Mr.. Walker. Mr..
Doud investigated ard found that the
congregation was a corporation Of which
Goldstcn was president. From Mr..
Goldstclu an explanation was obtained IN
regard 10 the congregations claim 70 the
property.
As the result of unpaid taxes In 1872. 1t
was said. the property was sold at a tax
sale. II was bought by man I'm Brook
Ism. then transferred 20 an owner IN
Huntington. and then to the Hebrew con-
gregauon. How Mr Dowd. in 1895. held
a mortgage ON the property and took ttle
TO f. under foreclosure proceedings, could
not be learned last night
Mr.. Dowd. believing. Il was said. that
the tax sale was nleGal and that the
property was sold for taxes on account
or a mistake made IN the assessment rolls
or 1902. placing the property under a
wrong name. served notice on Mr.. Gold
stein that he intended TO eject the con-
cregation from the land. The congresa-
ton will hold a meeting tonight at Hunt
ineton 10 de ermine the best method OF
protecting its dead.
Mr. Walker. II was said. yesterday OBJ
taincd "A summons against the congrega-
ton from the Supreme Court OF Suffolk
County. az the first step in the ejectment
proceedings.