Rensselaer Republican, Volume 14, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 May 1882 — FIGHT OVER A MOT HER’S GRATE [ARTICLE]

FIGHT OVER A MOT HER’S GRATE

Scene in a New Jersey ChurchyardTwo, Daughters Disputing an Interment. There was a terrible scene in the William street cmnetery in Plainfield, N. J., on Sunday afternoon, where two sisters fought over the fresh grave of their mother. The trouble arose over religious differences —one sister being a Roman Catholic and the other a Protestant. The deceased woman was a Mrs. Farrington, and the family are all Roman Catholics except one sis--ter, who married a Protestant named Wolfe and adopted the religion of her husband. When Mrs. Farrington died her husband, being in poor circumstances secured the aid of the nrotestant daughter in sharing the funeral expenses, the Catholic daughter, it is said, having refused. It was arranged to inter ,the body in the William street cemetery, which is a protestant institution. The remains, in charge of Patrick Bush, a Bound Brook undertaker, and accompanied by Mrs. Wolfe and her husband and a number of relatives and acquaintances, were brought to Plainfield. When the party arrived at Evona, one mile from Plainfield, they were overtaken by a wagon containing the Catholic daughter, her husband aud her two brothers. The latter party stopped the hearse and in a violent manner forbade the burial of the remains in a Protestant cemetery. The undertaker was puzzled what to do, but finally drove on, the Catholic party accompanying the - procession. Instead of going direct to the cemetery the undertaker drove to the police station and asked the advice of Captain Dodd. The Catholic sons and daughter threatened violence in case an attempt was made to inter the body elsewhere than in consecrated ground. There was a loud quarrel among the men while the procession was at the police station, but no blows were struck. By Captain Dodd’s direction the funeral proceeded to the cemetery and was ther e met by him. Wfiile the captain was expostulating with and advis.ng the Catholic party the undertaker was proceeding with the burial, and had lowered the coffin into the grave. The Catholic daughter did not at first notice this in her excitement, and when she saw it she gave a shriek, and rushing to the open grave assaulted her sister, Mrs. Wolfe, using bad language, raving, dike one crazy and finally she picked up a clubhand endeavored to brain her sister. Captain Dodd interfered and deprived her of her weapon, but was uuable to calm her rage. Her husband and brothers did not interfere, but a large crowd gathering around, composed largely of Catholics, there seemed likely to be a general fight, sympathy being largely with the daughter raving at the interment of her mother in unholy ground. Capt. Doda and Undertaker Bush succeeded in hushing the mourners in carriages in the noise and confusion, and they were driven rapidly oft, followed at some distance by the Catholic brothers and sisters threatening vengeance. The Kentucky Central railroad has subscribed $600,900 —a controlling interest—to the capital stock of the Richmond & Three Forks road, wh’oh will be at once Completed. Emperor William has left Weisbaden for Berlins