Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 May 1877 — Ordering Her Coffin. [ARTICLE]

Ordering Her Coffin.

Ix an upper chamber of Councilman Ogden’s undertaking establishment, in Elizabeth, rests. burisl-cssk«rt which, from its quaint design and peculiar history, attracts much attention. A month ago this gentleman was approached by one of Elizabeth’s accomplished women, miss Emma Mayo, who desired him to construct a coffin according to designs she would farnish. The Councilman asked his visitor for whom it was intended. Mias Mayo, unabashed, replied for herself. The undertaker was astounded, and imagined that she was joking. She, however, drew upon paper the outlines of a coffin different in shape from any he had seen, and fold him that such was her fancy, and that, when completed, she would pay for it. Mr. Ogden saw that the coffin was to resemble a keystone, broad at the head and tapering to the foot. Th? undertaker accepted her plan, intending, however, to wait for further developments before beginning the coffin’s construction. A short time afterward, Miss Mayo gave positive orders to make the coffin. One of his employes, Mr. Beeves, took the measure of the eccentric woman, and she departed. As it was stipulated that the coffin should be metallic, and of peculiar workmanship, Mr. Ogden took Miss Mayo’s drawingand plans to undertakers in this city. Their workmen were puzzled at first, and it required considerable time and labor to start the thing. At the end of two weeks, however, all the difficulties were overcome, and the coffin was completed. It is of iron, is grained to represent oak, is six feet in length by twenty-four inches in width, and in shape resembles a woodchopper’s wedge, although designed to appear in the shape of a keystone. The lid bears a raised cross extending from the head to the lower ex tremity. The interior is lined with the finest pearl-colored satin, and there is a pillow of the same material resting immediately beneath the bead of the cross. When it was shipped to Elizabeth, Miss Mayo was informed of its arrival, and she hurried to get a glimpse of her new treasure. She examined it thoroughly, and expressed herself as well satisfied with it, except in one or two particulars. These were the handles at the ends, and the silk buttons pinioning the cushioned satin inside. At her request they were removed, and the coffin remains subject to her orders. She has visited it several times, unaccompanied by any of her friends, and on each occasion has stood before it in deep meditation, now smoothing down the pillow, dusting the satin upholstery with her handkerchief, or measuring it mentally as if anxious to ascertain whether or not it would prove capacious enough for its purpose. Many have viewed it and have been astounded upon being informed for whom it is intended. Miss Mayo says she intends to retain it until her death, and requests that her body be laid in it beside that of her father, in Bt. John’s Episcopal churchyard in Elizabeth. Bhe is thirty years cf age, is amiable and rich, ana devotes much of her time to deeds of charity. Her father, Edward Mayo, owned a large property in Richmond, which is still held by the family. Her aunt is the wife of Gen. Scott. Edward Mayo was buried in a mummy casket, which conformed as nearly aa possible to the shape of the human form. This probably suggested Miss Mayo’s whim. — N. Y. Sun. ,