Friday, July 31, 1903
Southern Vermont Mirror
It is expected that the remains, of Mr. S. L. Griffith, accompanied by Mrs. Griffith and Mr. W. H. Griffith, will arrive in Danby on the 7.05 train tonight. The body was embalmed and encased in a metallic casket, and services were held in San Diego, Cal., at 2.30 o’clock last Friday afternoon, with Rev. Mr. Crabtree of San Diego, Rev. Mr. Abbott of Chulavista, and Rev. Mr. Kommers of National City officiating. Mrs. Griffith and Mr. W. H. Griffith started with the remains on their long journey last Monday, and have thus been traveling five consecutive days.
The funeral services will be held at the Congregational Church in this village next Tuesday afternoon at two o’clock. Rev. Dr. Samuel N. Jackson of Burlington will deliver the sermon and will be assisted by his son, Rev. William P. Jackson of Dummerston, both of whom accompanied Mr. Griffith to the Holy Land a few years ago.
In the musical part of the services, there will be a solo, “Fear Not,” by Mr. Edwin H. Miller of Dummerston, a friend of the deceased, and Miss Minnie E. Bushee will sing the “Holy City,” while Mr. J. Harry Engels of Rutland will preside at the organ and direct the music.
Mr. John B. Stearns of Rutland will be the funeral director, and it was Mr. Griffith’s wish that the survivors of the party of old gentlemen familiarly referred to as “The Boys” act as pallbearers. There are fifteen left of the number who assembled at Lake Griffith a little over a year ago as Mr. Griffith’s guests, as follows: Messrs. Stephen W. Phillips, Dr. E. O. Whipple, Charles H. Griffith, H. P. Griffith, 0. B. Had wen, A. S. Baker, Daniel C. Risdon, Edward J. Read, Frank Bromley, M. E. Maxham, D. W. Maxham of South Wallingford, J. B. Nichols of Asbury Park, N. J., J. E. Nichols, Chas. Hebert and James Bowers. Mr. Riddle thinks, however, as the casket and remains weigh upwards of 600 pounds, they will be too heavy for men of their ages to handle, and suggests that such of them as are able act as honorary bearers or escort, and that the active pallbearers be selected from a set of younger men. This, however, has not been fully decided upon as we go to press.
The interment will be in Mr. Griffith’s handsome plot in the Danby Cemetery, and there will no doubt be a large attendance, both at the church and the cemetery.