Springfield Globe Republic

Cadaverous Councilings.

Opening Session of Ohio Undertakers' Association Convention—Addresses, Roll Call and Admission of New Members.

Any body who has the honor of a personal acquaintance with 'Omer, Haberdasher, Furnisher and Funeral Undertaker,' that fattest and jolliest of Dickens' creations, will know better than to think of that useful and ornamental member of society who officiates at our final taking off and sepulture, as necessarily of a lugubrious countenance and repressed manner when off duty. Such among us as are so unfortunate as not to have that honor need only to gaze upon the 150 or 175 members of the Ohio Undertakers' Association now among us sitting in annual convention to realize that for a class of business men who, in a sense, thrive upon the ills that flesh is heir to—if that is not too much of a 'bull' to perpetrate—the undertakers are a robust, broad-shouldered, double-breasted, full-favored, good-looking and anything but lackrymose set of fellows. The members of the Association began coming in last evening and greeted each other heartily. They were met and escorted to quarters by a local reception committee consisting of J. W. Clark, P. A. Schindler, J. M. Bennett, D. R. Foreman, Thos. Callaham, C. C. Taylor, J. R. Kershner, J. C. O'Brien.

The convention was called to order by President Miller in G. A. R. hall at 10 o'clock this forenoon, with about 150 members present, and listened to an address of welcome by Mayor Goodwin, who, on short notice that his services were required, extended the hospitalities of the city in his usual cordial, unmistakable manner, and wished the undertakers a pleasant and profitable session. The president of the convention responded appropriately, returning thanks and expressing appreciation of the hospitalities thus tendered.

The officers present are: President, Charles A. Miller, of Cincinnati; vice president, W. C. Haywood, Gallipolis; secretary, J. H. Sharer, Alliance; corresponding secretary, E. H. Sexton, Cleveland; treasurer, J. M. Stuart, Columbus; sergeant-at-arms, H. J. Byron, Shelby.

After call of the roll the secretary read the minutes of last year's meeting at Cleveland. The committee on credentials through John P. Eppley, of Cincinnati, presented the following list of names of new members, and the parties, having complied with requirements of the By-Laws, were elected to membership and seated in the convention after a neat address of welcome by the chairman, Mr. Miller:

N. H. Hockman & Co., Cincinnati, J. Krupp & Son, Sandusky; I. W. Walker, Attica; F. D. Kishler, Tiffin; Jos. Schreiber, Cincinnati; W. R. Keran, Bourneville; Robt. Chamberlain, Republic; H. Beals, Melmore; J. C. Wildergreen & Co., Hicksville; J. W. Hale & Co., New Vienna; B. W. Newlove, South Charleston; Brenholtz & Mattingly, Zanesville; Myer & Gilderhaus, Cincinnati; Townsend & Moser, Lima; J. L. Applegate, Anna; William Zimmer, Blanchester; H. Schaeffer, Marion, O.; Theo. Cramer, Dayton; Peter Meyer, Dayton; A. W. Myer, Toronto; Colvin & Co., Burlington, O.; O. B. McCrea, Canton.

President Miller then delivered his inaugural, excusing himself for not presenting it in writing. He said he was glad and pleased thus to meet with the Ohio undertakers and felt like celebrating the birthday of the gentleman who conceived the idea of organizing this association. He regarded it a step in the right direction as by it the best interests as well as the standing of the profession were promoted. He hoped to see the time shortly when every reputable undertaker in the State would be found upon its rolls, knowing from his own experience the benefit it would be to them. This is not to be expressed in words. Undertakers, as a rule, are men of society, and are frequently called to the front to take an active part in affairs and many are found within the societies, secret or otherwise, organized in every community. But he thought in none of these did the profession find more pleasure or benefit than in this State association. There was nothing in the merely routine business of the year to which he need call attention. Matters requiring attention would develop during the progress of the convention. He thought, upon glancing over the programme, it was the most inviting the association ever had. Excusing the informality of his brief inaugural, the president announced the convention would proceed to business.

Mr. Wiltsee, of Cincinnati, moved that as a mark of appreciation for his efforts in behalf of the association, Prof. J. H. Clark, of this city, be elected an honorary member, which was adopted unanimously, Mr. Clark returning thanks for the honor. Mr. Eppley said that he voted for the resolution and was glad to welcome Prof. Clark, but he felt at the same time he was injuring the association's business. It used to be the case that an undertaker had to pack a cumbrous ice box around, while now, through Prof. Clark's agency, that might be done away with and everything offensive in connection with the preparation of a subject removed. But while, under the old system, a fatal case of fever or other disease was likely to run through the family, making business better for the undertaker now by the agency mentioned danger of contagion from carpets, curtains, etc., is removed.

At 12:30 the convention took recess until 2 p. m., for dinner.

The Springfield Coffin & Casket Company and Grave Vault Company have very creditable and extensive exhibitions of their goods in the Grand Opera House, nearly opposite the convention hall, the former occupying the south, the other the north business room. None of the delegates should fail to inspect this exhibit before leaving.