The Semi Weekly Messenger

GRAVE FOR A LIVE MAN.
False Rumors Reached Mr. McKeil's House and a Grave was Prepared for Him.

(Special to The Messenger.)
Goldsboro, N. C., Aug. 24.—While Mr. Lon McKeil was walking around town this morning laborers were at work digging his grave out in Saulston township. If he had been so disposed he could have gone to the lonesome spot in the family burying ground where his relatives proposed to deposit his remains this afternoon. While he was walking the streets in his usual good health his brothers and sisters and other relatives in the country were mourning him as dead. Mr. McKeil, who has been keeping a restaurant in this city, was recently indisposed and yesterday a report became circulated around town that he had died. It was said that he had an operation performed and died. This news reached his brother, Mr. James McKeil, in the county late last night. He waited until an early hour this morning before spreading the news around the neighborhood. Before leaving home to come after his brother's remains, Mr. McKeil put some laborers at work on his plantation to dig the grave. Friends and other relatives were gathered around the old homestead to attend the funeral which was supposed to come as soon as the remains could be brought from town. When Mr. James McKeil reached the city he found his brother walking around on the streets. He was very pleasantly surprised and when he returned home without the corpse a scene of mourning was turned into rejoicing.