Tombstone Tuesday - Dodd Family

SGT. CLEMENTS N. DODD

CO. B

DEL. CAV.

       [1]1870 United States Federal Census from Middletown in New Castle County Delaware the state of Delaware shows Clement N. Dodd head of household, married, white, male, was born abt. 1838 in Delaware. It shows his occupations as carpenter, his personal property is valued at 200 dollars; he was 32 years of age. Margaret A Dodd wife to head of household, married, white, female, was born abt. 1846 in Delaware. It shows her occupation as keeping house; she was 24 years of age. William N. Dodd son to head of household, single, white, male, was born abt. 1866 in Delaware. It shows his occupation as at home; he was 4 years of age.  James M. Dodd son to head of household, single, white, male, was born abt. 1868 in Delaware. It shows his occupation as at home; he was 2 years of age.

      [2]1880 United States Federal Census from Saint Georges in New Castle County in the state of Delaware shows Clement N. Dodd as head of household, married, white, male, and was born abt. 1838 in the state of Delaware and both of his parents were born in Delaware. It also shows that his occupation was listed as carpenter/contractor; he was 42 years of age. Margaret A Dodd wife to head of household, married, white, female, and was born abt. 1845 in Delaware and both of her parents were born in Delaware. It also shows that her occupation is lady of the house; she was 35 years of age. William Dodd son to head of household, is a single, white, male, and was born abt.1866 in Delaware and both of his parents were born in Delaware. It also shows that his occupation was listed as at school; he was 14 years of age. James Dodd son to head of household, single, white, male and was born abt. 1868 in Delaware and both of his parents were born in Delaware. It also shows that his occupation is listed as at home, he is sick not walking has rheumatics in January; he was 12 years of age. Charles Dodd son to head of household, is single, white, male and was born abt. 1870 in Delaware and both of his parents were born in Delaware. It also shows his occupation listed attends school; he was 10 years of age.  Anna S. Dodd daughter to head of household, single, white, female and was born abt. 1875 in Delaware and both of her parents were born in Delaware. It also shows her occupation listed at home; she was 5 years of age. Bessie Dodd daughter to head of household, single, white, female and was born abt. 1878 in Delaware and both of her parents were born in Delaware. It also shows her occupation listed at home; she was 2 years of age. Dodd son to head of household, single, white, male and was born abt. 1880 in Delaware and both of his parents were born in Delaware. It also shows his occupation listed at home; he was 3 months of age.

      [3]1900 United States Federal Census form Philadelphia in Philadelphia County the state of Pennsylvania shows Clement N. Dodds head of household, married, white, male, was born November 1837 in Delaware and both of his parents were born in Delaware. It also shows that his occupation was listed as a carpenter, he was unemployed for 3 months, he was able to read, write and speak English, and the home is rented. He has been married for 33 years and was 62 years of age. Margaret Dodds wife to head of household, married, white, female, was born October 1845 in Delaware and both of her parents were born in Delaware. Occupation is not listed, he was able to read, write and speak English. She has been married for 33 years, mothered 10 children and 7 are still living, she was 54 years of age. James Dodds son to head of household, single, white, male, was born January 1868 in Delaware and both of his parents were born in Delaware. Occupation listed as cigar dealer, he was able to read, write and speak English; he was 32 years of age. Hester E Dodds daughter to head of household, single, white, female, was born June 1878 in Delaware and both of her parents were born in Delaware. Occupation listed as shirt maker, was able to read, write and speak English; she was 21 years of age. Ellwood M. Dodds son to head of household, single, white, male, was born July 1881 in Delaware and both of his parents were born in Delaware. Occupation listed as printer, was able to read, write and speak English; he was 18 years of age. Mary H. Dodds daughter to head of household, single, white, female, was born March 1886 in Delaware and both of her parents were born in Delaware. Occupation listed as press feeder, was able to read, write and speak English; she was 15 years of age. James N Wine is listed as a brother-in-law to head of household, married, white, male, was born August 1837 in Delaware and both of his parents were born in Delaware. Occupation is listed as a salesman, he was able to read, write and speak English. He was married for 33 years and was 62 years of age.    

      [4]1910 United States Federal Census from Center Township in Grant County Indiana at the U.S. National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, Members, Officers and Employees shows Clement N Dodd, widowed, white male was born abt. 1838 in Delaware and both of his parents were born in Delaware.  He is able to read, write and speak English; he was 72 years of age.

      [5]Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Death Certificate Index, 1803-1915 shows Clement Naughton Dodd date of birth is about 1840, born in Milton, Delaware. His date at death is 2n of May 1911 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania he was 71 years of age at the time of his death and buried in Middletown, Delaware. It also shows male, white, occupation as carpenter and married. His father is John Dodd with a birthplace in Milton, Delaware. His mother is Margaret Wine with a birthplace in Middletown, Delaware.

      [6]United States Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1925-1953 shows a headstone application for the unmarked grave of a soldier, Clement N Dodd, the rank of Sargent, Company B with the 1^st Delaware Volunteer Cav., date of death is May 2^nd 1912. Cemetery listed is Bethesda M E Church in the city of Middletown state of Delaware with no emblem selected for the headstone.  It was shipped to Middletown, Delaware at New Castle County. The applicant listed and address was W.H. Dodd at 1210 N. Hope Street, Philadelphia, PA on the 23^rd of April 1930.

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[1] 1870 Untied States Federal Census Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 22 April 2016) Provo, UT, USA; Ancestry.com Operations Inc., 2009. Middletown, New Castle, Delaware; Roll: M593_120; Page: 715B; Image: 656; Family History Library Film: 545619

[2] 1880 United Stated Federal Census Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 22 April 2016) Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc., 2010. Saint Georges, New Castle, Delaware; Roll: 120; Family History Film: 1254120; Page: 256C; Enumeration District: 030; Image: 0232

[3] 1900 United States Federal Census Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 22 April 2016) Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc., 2004. Philadelphia Ward 30, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Roll: 1472; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 0757; FHL microfilm: 1241472

[4] 1910 United States Federal Census Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 22 April 2016) Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc., 2006. Center, Grant, Indiana; Roll: T624_351; Page: 17A; Enumeration District: 0047; FHL microfilm: 1374364

[5] Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1803-1915 Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 22 April 2016) Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc., 2011.

[6] U.S. Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1925-1963 Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 22 April 2016) Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc., 2012. Microfilmpublications M1916, 134 rolls. ARC ID: 596118.

Tombstone Tuesday - J. Howard Breed and M. Phebe Jones Breed

Photograph taken by Angela Rodesky, Forest Cemetery, Middletown, Delaware

M. PHEBE JONES

BREED

1860-1926

J. HOWARD BREED

1849-1936

[1]1880 United States Federal Census from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. W.P. Breed head of household, married, white, male, was born abt. 1817 in New York, both parents born in New York. His occupation is listed as Clergyman he was 63 years of age. Rebecca S. Breed, spouse to head of household, married, white, female, was born abt. 1821 in Pennsylvania, both parents born in Pennsylvania. No occupation listed she was 59 years of age.  John H. Breed, son to head of household, single, white, male, was born abt. 1849 in Ohio, father born in New York and mother born in Pennsylvania. His occupation is listed as manufacturer; he was 31 years of age. Ella R. Breed, daughter to head of household, single, white, female, was born abt. 1854 in Ohio, father born in New York and mother born in Pennsylvania. No occupation is listed; she was 26 years of age. Wm. P. Breed, son to head of household, single, white, male, was born abt. 1858 in Pennsylvania, father born in New York and mother in Pennsylvania. Occupation listed as student, he was 22 years of age. Lizzie C. Breed, daughter to head of household, married, white, female, was born abt. 1853 in New York, father born in New York and mother in Pennsylvania. No occupation is listed; she was 27 years of age. The census also shows Cecelia Peterson, servant to head of household, single, white, female, was born abt. 1859 in Sweden, both parents born in Sweden. Her occupation is servant; she was 21 years of age. Bella Clark, servant to head of household, single, white, female, was born abt. 1860 in New Jersey, both parents born in New Jersey. Her occupation is servant; she was 20 years of age. Mary Rose, servant to head of household, single, white, female, was born abt. 1862 in Ohio, both parents born in Ohio. Her occupation is servant; she was 18 years of age. Mary Biney, servant to head of household, married, white, female, was born abt. 1840 in Ireland, both parents born in Ireland. Her occupation is servant; she was 40 years of age. Rachel Scott, cook to the head of household, single, white, female, was born abt. 1842 in New York, both parents born in Maine. Her occupation is cook; she was 38 years of age.

[2]1880 United States Federal Census from the state of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia County. Thomas J. Jones, head of household, married, white, male, was born abt. 1834 in Delaware, both of his parents were born in Delaware. His occupation is listed as brass founder; he was 46 years of age. Emma T. Jones, wife to head of household, married, white, female, was born abt. 1841 in Delaware, father’s birthplace was Delaware and mother’s birthplace was Pennsylvania. Occupation listed as keeping house, she was 39 years of age. M. Phoebe Jones, daughter to head of household, single, white, female, was born abt. 1861 in Delaware, both parents born in Delaware. Occupation listed at home, she was 19 years of age. Lidie M. Jones, daughter to head of household, single, white, female was born abt. 1865 in Pennsylvania, both parents born in Delaware. Occupation listed at school, 15 years of age. Fredrick T. Jones, son to head of house hold, single, white, male, was born abt. 1864 in Pennsylvania,both parents born in Delaware. Occupation listed at school, he was 16 years of age.  Hottie B. Jones, daughter to head of household, single, white, female, was born abt. 1873 in Pennsylvania, both parents born in Delaware. No occupation listed, 7 years of age. Albert H. Jones, son to head of household, single, white, male, was born abt. 1879 in Pennsylvania. No occupation listed, 1 year of age. Mary McAndre, servant to head of household, single, white, female, was born abt. 1860 in Pennsylvania, father was born in Ireland and mother born in England. Occupation listed as servant, she was 20 years of age. 

[3]M. Phebe Jones married J. Howard Breed in Philadelphia Pennsylvania, the year of marriage is 1902, marriage license number 145585.

[4]1910 Untied States Federal Census from state of Pennsylvania, Montgomery County in the township of Whitpain, address listed as 281 State Road North from Central Square, shows J Howard Breed, head of household, married, white, male, was born abt. 1850 in Ohio, his father was born in New York and mother Pennsylvania. It also shows his occupation was listed as Supt with Toust Company, owns his home, he was 60 years of age and in his current marriage for 8 years.  Phebe J. Breed, wife, married, white, female, was born abt. 1861 in Pennsylvania; her father was born in Pennsylvania and mother Maryland. It shows no occupation, she was 49 years of age and in her current marriage for 8 years. No children born or living noted. Dr. Dr Breed, sister to head of household, single, white, female, was born about 1854 in Ohio, her father was born in New York and mother Pennsylvania. It shows her occupation was listed as physician, she was 56 years of age.

[5]1920 United States Federal Census from state of Pennsylvania, Montgomery County in the township of Whitpain, address listed as De Kalb St Pike, shows John Howard Breed, head of household, married, white, male, was born abt. 1850 in Ohio, his father was born in New York and mother in Pennsylvania. It also shows his occupation was listed as Superintendent with Waits in Bank, owns his home, he is 70 years of age and able to read and write. Martha Phebe Breed, wife, married, white, female, was born abt. 1861 in Delaware, her father was born in Delaware and her mother, Emma Thomas Jones was born in Delaware. It shows no occupation, she was 59 years of age and able to read and write.  Emma Thomas Jones, mother-in-law to head of household, widowed, white, female, was born abt. 1841 in Delaware, her fathers was born in Pennsylvania and mother in Delaware. It shows no occupation, she was 79 years of age and able to read and write.

[6]1930 United States Federal Census from the state of Pennsylvania, Montgomery County in the township of Norristown, address listed Swede and Powell Streets in Abington Friends Home, shows Howard Breed, lodger, widowed, white, male, was born abt. 1850 in Ohio, his father was born in New York and mother New York. It shows no occupation, he was 80 years of age.

*There is a Rebecca A. Breed also listed as a lodger directly under Howard, this could be a relation to him as her birth place, the birth place of both parents are the same as Howard.

[7]Certificate of Death in Montgomery County state of Pennsylvania.  J. Howard Breed date of birth May 27, 1849 in Pennsylvania, retired with no occupation, parents were Wm. F. Breed with New York place of birth, Rebecca Murray with Pennsylvania place of birth. Male, white, widowed, was the husband of M. Phoebe Breed. Date of death November 13, 1936, residence was Friends home; he was 87 years of age.  Burial is listed at Middletown, Delaware in Forrest Cemetery, date of burial November 16, 1936. The informant listed on the death certificate is Miss Anna Breed, Friends Home.

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[1] 1880 United States Federal Census Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com; accessed 10 February 2016) Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc. 2010. Original data; Roll: 1186; Family History Film: 1255186; Page 190A; Enumeration District: 580; Image: 0378

[2] 1880 United States Federal Census Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com; accessed 10 February 2016) Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc. 2010. Original data: Roll: 1171, Family History Film: 1255171; Page: 478A; Enumeration District: 150; Image: 0425  

[3] Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Marriage Index, 1885-1951 Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 10 February 2016) Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. 

[4] 1910 United States Federal Census Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com; accessed 10 February 2016) Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc. 2006. Original data; Roll T624_1380; Page: 13B; Enumeration District: 0164; FHL microfilm: 1375393. 

[5] 1920 United States Federal Census Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com; accessed 10 February 2016) Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc. 2010. Original data; Roll: T625_1607; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 194; Image: 540.

[6] 1930 United States Federal Census Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com; accessed 10 February 2016) Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc. 2002. Original data; Roll: 2083; Page 23A; Enumeration District: 0103; Image: 755.0; FHL microfilm: 2341817.

[7] Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963 Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com; accessed 10 February 2016) Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. 2014. Series 11 90 (1,905 cartons). Records of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Record Group 11, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Reality of Powers

Printed on Monday the 6th of July in 1818 in the Spirit of the Times & Carlisle Gazette out of Carlisle, Pennsylvania

Reality of Witches

An old woman, Jane Wenbam by name, was tried for witchcraft at the Hertford assizes in England, in the year 1712. The judge, who presided at the trial, wishing to save her life, told the jury that some young women unquestionably possessed the powers of witchcraft; but he believed that they always lost those magical powers when they grew old. 

4th of July Program Scheme

Published on the 2^nd of June in 1899 in the Philadelphia Inquirer out of Philadelphia, PA

CITY GETS NOTHING

Little Scheme Involved in the

Publication of Fourth of

July Programs

A COUNCILMANIC DODGE

Parties to It Said to Be Trying to Back

Out – Question of Official

Indorsement

     If there was one thing more than another that has been talked about in City Hall circles during the past two days it was the exclusive expose in Tuesday morning’s Inquirer of the fact that a member of Councils’ Fourth of July Committee had succeeded in grabbing the privilege of publishing the official Fourth of July celebration program, a privilege for which responsible men declare they stood ready to pay anywhere from $300 to $1000, and for which the city, although expending this year $10,000 on exercises which make the publication of the program possible, gets nothing. It will be remembered that Councils’ Fourth of July Committee had the awarding of the coveted privilege in charge.

     But there is still another chapter to be added to the story of the Councilmanic manipulation, free manipulation, of a valuable privilege. It seems that at least one other member of Common Council is not content that Joseph Eslen, the member from David Martin’s ward, the Nineteenth, whose printing concern is getting out the “official” program under the sanction of the Fourth of July Committee, should capture all of the fat, so he has started in the Fourth of July program business on his own hook. He doesn’t fail to appreciate the value of a Councilmanic position, however.

Issued a Letter

     Councilman Eslen issued a letter to the men he hired as solicitors for his “official program.” written on letter heads bearing at their top the imprint of the Common Council of Philadelphia. Councilman Leo S. Meyers, of the Twenty-eight ward, is not in competition with Councilman Eslin, of the Nineteenth ward. He has advertising solicitors at work also, and each of them is equipped with a letter to be shown to prospective contributors to Councilman Meyers’ Fourth of July program scheme.

     Mr. Meyers does not designate his program as “official,” by the way. He calls it the “citizens’” program. But his contracts are printed almost exactly like those put out by his brother Councilman, Mr. Eslen. Each has red and blue ink on white paper, and each bears the imprint of  a United States flag waving in the breeze on the upper left hand corner.

An Inquirer reporter has managed to get hold of one of the letters issued by Common Councilman Meyers, of the Twenty-eighth ward, to the men and women Mr. Meyers has out soliciting advertisements for his “citizens’” Fourth of July program. Here is the way it reads:

     “Common Councils, Philadelphia, May 19, 1899. – The bearer Mr. – is authorized to solicit advertisements for the Citizens’ Fourth of July Program, which will be distributed through the various parts of the city where the ceremonies will take place. Any favors extended to him will be appreciated. Very truly yours, Leo S. Meyers, Councilman, Twenty-eight ward.”

Letters Differ

     The letter, it will be noticed, differs from that issued by Councilman Eslen in that it does not have affixed thereto the signature of Councilman John S. Hammond, chairman of Councils’ Fourth of July Committee, nor does it contain a clause intimating that business firms signing contracts for advertising in Councilman Meyers’ program will be considered as contributors to the city’s celebration of the glorious Fourth.

     But the two programs, both being gotten out by members of Common Council, and the solicitors for both of which are armed with credentials written on Councils’ letter heads, have set would-be advertisers guessing.

“We don’t know just where we are at,” facetiously said one of them to and Inquirer reporter yesterday. “Of course, we want to contribute a little toward the city’s Fourth of July celebration, but we don’t know just who is who or which is which, and so we have decided to wait until we learn.”

     All of which is interesting in view of the declaration by Chairman Hammond, of the Fourth of July Committee, that the city gets nothing whatever out of the privilege secured by Councilman and member of the Fourth of July Committee Eslen. If the city doesn’t receive anything from Mr. Eslen it certainly doesn’t form Councilman Meyers, whose program does not bear the “official” stamp.

Meyers’ Program

     “I have heard of Mr. Meyers’ program,” said Chairman Hammond to The Inquirer reporter, “although I have not seen it. I spoke to Sergeant-at-Arms Hall, of Councils, about it, and Mr. Hall said, as I understood him, that Councilman Meyers had agreed to with-draw it. Whether or not he has done so I am unable to say.”

     It was said yesterday Mr. Meyers was trying to sell out his program deal to Councilman Eslen. It was also stated that Mr. Eslen was endeavoring to withdraw the ante-dated letters bearing Chairman of Fourth of July Committee Hammond’s authorization to Mr. Eslen’s solicitors to obtain advertisements to the “official” program. In evidence of the truth of the latter statement were the frantic endeavors made through various channels to obtain possession of the copy which fell into the hands of The Inquirer reporter.  

Day One of the NGS Conference

    

  Well I have nothing to complain about when it comes to the start of this conference. As I’ve said before this is my first National Genealogical Society (NGS) conference and it appears to be a very well attended conference, I hear the numbers of attendees is in the thousands. I’ve attended a few lectures and thought they were very well presented and I always think of it successful when I walk out with new pieces of information.

     One of the presentations I attended this morning was “Tracking Pennsylvania Ancestors Keys to Research” the presenter was Kay Haviland Freilich CG, CGL, FNGS. This was the first time I have seen her present and I can say if you had a question, any question about locating records while doing research in Pennsylvania she would be the person to ask. Some interesting points that she shared and I thought I would share with all of you. While searching Philadelphia you need to look at both county and city records as for the rest of the state records stay in the county they were created in. If you are taking advantage of searching the septennial census records you might be surprised to find they hold information about African Americans.  

Saturday Spotting - Mud Pond Mystery

Published in August 1905 in the Wilkes –Barre Times out of Wilkes-Barre, PA 

STILL INVESTIGATING THE MUD POND MYSTERY

     When the body of J. Arthur Potter, who was mysteriously drowned at Mud Pond near Lake Ganoga, two weeks ago, was exhumed for the Ellentown cemetery yesterday a deep gash was revealed over the young man’s face and left eye. Dr. Allan C. Brooks, of this city, performed the past mortem. It is not known whether it will implicate Thomas J. Georgi and Harold Kensey, of East End, with the tragedy.

Dr. Brooks returned from Ellentown this morning. He was seen by a TIMES reporter at his residence on North Franklin street, but was rather reticent about his findings. He stated, however, that he found a deep gash over the dead man’s eye, but refused to make further comments. The gash was made by a blunt instrument and according to Dr. Brooks, the blow was sufficient to render Potter unconscious. The wound extends form the tip of the nose to a point over the eye.

The county officials engaged Dr. Brooks to perform the post mortem examination and he left here Tuesday. From this city he went to Dushore, where he met Undertaker Frank E. Bickens, who buried Potter. He then went with the undertaker to the cemetery in Ellentown, Lycoming County. The place is situated between Williamsport and Towanda and they did not reach the cemetery until yesterday afternoon.

HELD POST MORTEM IN RAIN

     As there was no place to take the body after it was exumed, Dr. Brooks had to perform the post mortem examination in the cemetery. There was a curious crowd about the remains and Dr. Brooks took four hours with his examination. The body was in tan excellent state of preservation. While he was working over the remains it was necessary for some on to hold an umbrella over him.

He cut open the skull and also examined the abdomen. Just what he found Dr. Brooks would not state, but he intimated he had some valuable information. After the autopsy he returned to this city, arriving here shortly after 11 o’clock.

CONFERENCE WITH DISTRICT ATTORNEY

     Upon his arrival in this city he was summoned to the district attorney office. There he was interviewed by District Attorney Jones, Assistant District Attorney Meyers and county Detective Jones. He told them his story, and according to District Attorney Jones he was direct to write out a report.

Dr. Brooks when later interviewed denied that he receive orders to write up a report, stating that he gave the district attorney all the information he had.

Assistant District Attorney Meyers, when interviewed, stated no warrants had been issued for either Georgi or Kensey. The district attorney has been acting slowly in the investigation, and will make no arrests until he is positive of his information.

Saturday Spotting - Lincolns Grandfather

Published in December of 1915 in the Philadelphia Inquirer out of Philadelphia, PA

LINCOLN’S GRANDFATHER HERO OF REVOLUTION

Supposed Historical Discovery May Remove Family Mystery

Special to The Inquirer

     SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Dec. 25 – Was Abraham Lincoln’s grandfather a hero of the Revolutionary War?

Undoubted evidence tending to prove that such was true has been found. Its discovery may throw valuable light upon Lincoln’s ancestry, which has long been clouded in more or less of mystery.

     Mrs. E. S. Walker tells of records which apparently prove the authenticity of the war record of Lincoln’s paternal grandparent. 

Sunday's Cemetery - Cemetery Investigated

Published in December of 1890 in the Philadelphia Inquirer out of Philadelphia, PA

CAMDEN’S BREEZY GOSSIP.

JOHNSON CEMETERY MYSTERY BEING THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATED.

An Artist’s Suicide – An Elopement and an Angry Mother’s Protest Against Her Daughter’s Marriage.

     Coroner Jefferis and his deputy, Richard W. Kerswell, of Camden, worked all day yesterday on the mysterious Johnson Cemetery case. County Detectives Gallagher and Warner were also busy.

     During the investigation Detective Gallagher discovered a clue which may lead to the identification of the man. He found that about a year ago a colored man named Polk, who worked for Farmer William H. Vanvance, of Moorestown, mysteriously disappeared. At the time it was rumored that he had been murdered. The detectives will follow out this clue to day. The Coroner’s jury will visit the cemetery to-day.

     Gotlieb Berger, a German living over the salon of Daniel Hurley, at Seventh and Mt. Vernon Streets, committed suicide yesterday by hanging. His body was found by Mrs. Hurley. Coroner Jefferis was notified, and ordered the remains removed to the morgue. Berger was an artist, and about 55 years of age. He has no relatives living in the country.

     Minor Rogers, of No. 335 North Front street, is missing and his wife believes he has eloped with an actress named Morgan. Rogers was employed as shipping clerk at Wanamaker’s and in March last became acquainted with Mrs. Morgan. On Thursday evening last he bought the woman to his home and as a result there was a lively time. Mrs. Rogers will bring suit for divorce.

     Coroner Jefferies yesterday held Switchman Nople in bail to await the action of the Coroner’s jury in the case of the West Jersey Railroad accident of Friday, in which Conductor Leap lost his life.

     While Miss Lizzie McClay, of Upland, Pa., and John Bramford, of Chester, Pa., were being married by ‘Squire Schmitz yesterday, the mother of the bride rushed into the office and demanded that the marriage be stopped. Her objections were founded on religious scruples. She was ejected and the ceremony finished.

     The contract for building the tomb for Walt Whitman has been awarded and work will be begun as soon as the weather will permit. The walls will be constructed of granite, after the plan of King Solomon’s Temple. It will be very plain, according to the ideas of the poet, and will be located in Hartleigh Cemetery, in a plot selected by the poet.

     The suit of the Sea Isle City Bank against the defunct Merchants’ National Bank, of Atlantic City, was begun before Judge Reed, in Camden, yesterday. The suit is to recover checks given by the officers of the Merchants’ Bank to the plaintiff. No decision was rendered.

     Detective James Henry yesterday arrived from Chicago with Herman Trimmer, who is wanted in Camden for forgery.

Sunday's Cemetery - Charles Stark Mystery

Published in July of 1903 in the Patriot out of Harrisburg, PA

A CEMETERY MYSTERY

Body of a Man Who Died in Albany Filled With Straw

By Associated Press to The Patriot

Schenectady, N. Y., July 16 – The authorities are investigating a case that appears to be most mysterious. The remains of Charles Stark, who died in the Albany City Hospital on December 29, were disinterred to-day in the Polish Roman Catholic cemetery and it was discovered that the trunk had been stuffed with straw. A dissecting knife with bloodstains on it was found among the straw inside the body.

     The case opened with the discovery by George Stark, a brother of the deceased, of blood upon the face of the dead man while the remains were at a local undertaking shop. The inquiry which followed was taken into the Albany Courts, but the physicians at the hospital insisted that an autopsy had not been held. The matter, accordingly, was dropped by the Albany authorities.

     The case will be reopened legally when an attempt will be made to ascertain the exact cause of Stark’s death. 

Sunday's Cemetery - Mausoleum Mystery

Published in February of 1911 in the Beaumont Enterprise out of Beaumont, Texas

MYSTERY SURROUNDS MAUSOLEUM ROBBERY

NEWSPAPER MEN DRIVEN FROM CEMETERY WITH REVOLVERS

Investigation Showed That One Body Had Been Carried Away by Six Men

     Erie, Pa. Feb. 9 – Following this discovery late last night that the family mausoleum of the late Congressman Wm. L. Scott had been ransacked and robbed and unusual mystery developed when it became known today that a body had been stolen from the vault. The identity of the body is held secret by the family and the police, but it is said to be that of Mrs. Anna McCollum, a sister of Mr. Scott. It is said that the vandals also intended to carry away the bodies of Scott, who was a millionaire, and Mrs. Scott.

     Newspaper men early this morning were ordered from the cemetery at the point of revolvers.

     Investigation showed that the casket containing the body of Mrs. McCollum had been carried away. It had been sealed in a wall and a chisel had been used on breaking the seals before the metallic box could be reached.

     Directly opposite on the second tier is the casket containing the body of Mrs. Scott.

     The seal here was also broken and this casket was half way out.

     Two other caskets were broken into but no attempt was made to carry either of them away.

     That Mrs. McCollum’s casket was carried away in a wagon is indicated by tracks in the snow about the tomb. The footprints of four and in some cases, six men, were discernible.

     An Italian settlement near the cemetery has become an object of scrutiny by the police and every dwelling being searched from cellar to garret.

     Two years ago the Strong family received “blackhand letters” demanding $10,000, with the alternative of having their summer home west of this city blown to atoms. Mrs. McCollum was a member of a prominent family of Philadelphia and her maiden name was Tracey.

     Mrs. Chas. H. Strong, daughter of Mrs. Scott and wife of the president of the Erie & Pittsburg railroad was one of the first members of the family notified of the grave robbery. 

Woman in Black

I've heard stores about the "lady in black" and even a couple about the "lady in white". This however is the first one that I've heard where a police chief and an additional fifty men try and capture the "women in black".   

May 18, 1914

Times-Picayune

New Orleans, LA

SCARY-EYED WOMAN

PUTS TOWN TO BED

Moves Rapidly Toward Folk

on Streets at Night,

Natives Say

Wilkesbarre, Pa., May 17 – Watsontown, a borough with 2500 inhabitants, is terrorized by the presence of a mysterious “woman in black” whose long waving arms and “big black, scary eyes” have given the town a deserted appearance with the coming of darkness each night.  

Chief of Police Ulrich and the head of fifty men, scored the town in quest of the mysterious woman. They worked until dawn without having laid hands upon her. Several of the men reported having seen her, but in their reports to the chief they allege that just as they were about to close in on her she vanished in the darkness.

While the “woman in black” has been seen in all parts of the town, she made her appearance in the aristocratic section, making Second and Third streets her tramping grounds. From 10 o’clock until long after midnight she spooked about this section, and members of some of the leading families in town reported having seen her.

In telling Chief Ulrich of their experience, these persons said that the woman wore a long black cloak, and as she approached them the cloak fell back on her shoulders.

With her arms waving and her “scary eyes” fastened upon those she approached, she moved rapidly forward, but not with sufficient speed to get anywhere near the men and women, who turned on their heels and broke sprinting records to their homes.