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The Laurel Chronicle, Laurel, Mississippi--Jan 21, 1910
Infidel Epitaph May Cause Removal from Cemetery.
Inscription on Shaft of Eccentric and Wealthy Pennsylvanian Called Sacrilegious and Causes Officials Much Worry.
Trenton, N. J.--Agitation is on in the little town of Morrisville, Pa., across the Delaware river from the old Morrisville cemetery, the headstone over the grave of Samuel McCracken, because of the epitaph which townfolk say is sacrilegious.
It is a stone tablet, erected in the midst of the graves of revolutionary and civil war heroes, prominent clergymen, and citizens, and bears this inscription:
"In memory of Samuel McCracken, who died April 13, 1862.
"If leading politicians and priests
All go to heaven then I am bound
To stop at some other station."
Officers of the cemetery association are at sea as to what to do, as they say they are legally bound to permit the headstone to remain. In order to get around the contract made by McCracken with the cemetery association, it has been suggested that all of the bodies be exhumed and removed to a new plot of ground leaving the McCracken plot the only one in the cemetery. Relatives of McCracken assert that this would be be legal.
McCracken, who, many years ago owned half the town and entertained lavishly, posed as a old-time country gentleman, and was considered a jolly good fellow by all who knew him. He was lenient with his tenants, generous to their children, and sympathetic with them in their distress. His home was filled with guests almost continually, as the host loved company.
In his boyhood he took a dislike to religion, and in his manhood was an infidel. He despised politics and politicians, "No decent gentleman is a politician," was his contention. His hatred for the clergy in general was intense. He also believed that when a man became mortally ill he should wait for death.
His wife was a Christian woman--attended religious services regularly and her charities were extensive.
From the day his wife died McCracken's health began to fail. He prepared for death, and confided to friends he was soon to leave, never to return, but even then he was jovial and spoke merrily of his coming departure.
He made secret arrangements with an undertaker for his burial. He ordered that his body be placed in a canoe-shaped casket, built of light wood and canvas. This repository was completed before his death. He bought a large interest in the cemetery and made a contract that whatever headstone should be placed over his resting place should never be removed, no matter what inscription it bore.
On April 16, 1862, he committed suicide by cutting his throat, and was buried, according to his instructions, in a grave adjoining that of his wife.
After his headstone was erected, church workers became indignant, not only because of the epitaph itself, but because it should be placed over Mrs. McCracken's grave, and both headstones are side by side in the most conspicuous part of the graveyard.
This is the inscription over the grave of Mrs. McCracken:
"In memory of Phoebe, wife of Samuel McCracken, who died March 30, 1860. She died a firm believer in Christ, her Saviour."
*****
possibly one and the same?
1830: Morrisville, Bucks Co., PA pg001, head: Samuel McCrakin "possible Sr."
1840: Morrisville, Bucks Co., PA pg003, head: Sam'l McCracker "married"
1860 Jun 12: Edgewood PO, Morrisville, Bucks Co., PA pg051, household 365-386 head: Samuel McCracken age 53; occupation: Horse Dealer; b. PA
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