Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 September 1901 — BURIED BY TWO HUSBANDS. [ARTICLE]

BURIED BY TWO HUSBANDS.

Remarkable Case In England Recalled by One in America. Apropos of the remarkable Instance of conjugal devotion which lias recently been displayed by Mr. Gannon, of Cincinnati, in bringing his wlfe'a body from America to her nat've place in this countiy for interment, says the London Globe, It Is Interesting to recall a somewhat similar, bnt even more romantic story which Is recorded of Lord Dalmeny, eldest son of James, second Earl of Rosebery, This young nobleman, Who died in 11p5, met in London some yea-s previous to,his death a lady with whom he fell violently In love and whom he persuaded to marry him. The marriage, though concealed from the relatives on both sides, proved to be an extremely happy one, the pair living together in the greatest harmony until the lady was overtaken by a mortal illness. When assured that she was dying she aated for a pencil and paper and wrote the fallowing message: “I am the w r ife of the Rev. Mr. Gough, rector of Thorpe, In Essex. My tnaiden name was C. Cannon, and my last request ls to be buried at Thorpe." In what circumstances she had deserted her husband does not appear, but Lord Dalmeny protested that he knew nothing of her former marriage, and immediately set about fulfilling her last wishes.' He had the body embalmed and nclosed In a chest, and then, under the assumed name of Williams, he brought It to England, landing at Colchester. Here the chest was suspected by the customs house officers of containing smuggled goods and was opened by them, to the great distress of tbe bereaved husband, who grew almost distracted under the darker suspicions which arose whenIts real contents were revealed.

However, after Infinite difficulty, he succeeded In conveying the body to Thorpe, and when it had been placed In the church on an open bier, took bis seat beside It, evidently absorbed In grief, the scene having reminded a bystander of “Romeo and Joliet." At length he gave a full explanation of the circumstances of his marriage, and Mr. Gough was sent for to come and identify his wife, which the latter gentleman did without a moment’s hesitation. The meeting hetween the sorrow-stricken young and the Indignant husband was described as n most moving one, but neither seemed inclined to waive bis right to the other, though of the two Lord Dalmeny was the most anxious to do honor to the deceased. He had a splendid coffin made for her. and followed her body to Thorpe, where he was met by Mr. Gough, and in their presence the burial was performed with all due solemnity; thus probably furnishing the only instance on record of a woman being attended to her grave by two husbands at the same time. Immediately after the ceremony Lord Dalmeny left for London, apparently inconsolable at his loss. In the peerage he is described as unmarried.