It was an “Old World” style funeral of a type that had never been seen before in Minersville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The eight Italians who were killed in the Lytle Mine Tragedy on April 21, 1892, were laid to rest in the Catholic Cemetery. This followed a grand parade from the boarding house where their bodies were viewed by hundreds. A cornet band played a requiem march. As the article from the Pottsville Republican stated, “300 Italians followed the remains of their late countrymen to the late resting place, while hundred of men and women from the surrounding villages paid their respects by escorting the mourning party Italians from the house to the grave.“
Albert Sabella, a leader and one of those killed in the tragedy, was well-known throughout the coal regions for recruiting Italian men to work in the mines.
Here’s the full article describing the unusual funeral:
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From the Pottsville Republican, April 27, 1892:
THE DROWNED MINERS
The Victims of the Lytle Coampany at Final Rest
THE SOLEMN OBSEQUIES TODAY!
The Italians Gather from Near and Far — A Grand Funeral Car — The Rich Contractor — Many Impressive Scenes — Other Funerals
All day long fellow countrymen of the eight Italians, who were drowned at the Lytle coal works, came in droves to the town by train and foot. Here and there throughout the town of Minersville were seen knots of the bronzed foreigners sitting on door steps and other places that offered them rest, while others walked to and fro, holding conversations in their euphonious language. What the subject of their conversation was, is known to them alone, but it can easily be conjectured, that their theme was the late disaster, which so cruelly and unmercifully cut down eight stalwart, hardy natives of the sunny land, in the prime of life and without a moment’s warning.
SYMPATHY FOR THEIR COUNTRYMEN
It is but natural that strangers in a strange land, where the language of the country is strange to them, that they should thus evidence this sympathy for their fellow countrymen. From the time that it was made known that eight of the unfortunate victims were Italians, many of their people came from the neighboring towns and villages of this and adjoining counties. Some of them have been on the scene since its occurrence and have been among the most interested spectators. Thus far they have preserved excellent order, putting to blush the extravagant reports that have been circulated, that they would oppose the arrangements made for the burial of the deceased.
The bodies lay in state in their boarding house since they were found ad prepared for burial. Sabella and two of his workmen lay in the parlor, while the other five lay in an adjoining room.
The single men were robed in white shrouds, while the married men were clothed in black shrouds.
ALBERT SABELLA
Albert Sabella, the contractor and employer of these men, lay in the parlor dressed in a black shroud, and was encased in a neat casket. His affianced, Rose Clerec, sat alongside of all that was left of him to whom she looked as her future husband. Her love for him was shown by her constant presence, and she would not be comforted. A beautiful floral wreath, a pillow of roses with inscription “My Love” in immortelles with a cross, anchor and heart combined were the last sad loving tribute from the beloved to the deceased lover.
VIEWING OF THE DEAD
All day yesterday, this morning and afternoon hundreds wended their way to the house of mourning and viewed the bodies. People of all nationalities were welcomed by the countrymen of the deceased who were present, who felt proud of the honor thus shown them.
THE SAD PROCESSION
At a few minutes before 3 o’clock this afternoon, the funeral cortege, under the direction of Undertaker Weiser, moved away from the house of mourning in solemn procession, the Minersville Cornet Band leading off, playing a requiem march. They followed a body of Italians, after whom came the hearse with the body of Sabella and a catagalque containing the bodies of the other seven dead. Thirty-six men of their own country asting as pall bearers. Then followed the Clerecs, mother and two daughters, in a barouche. Rosa, one of the daughters, who was Sabella’s espoused, being the chief mourner.
PECULIAR SIGHT
This was indeed a peculiar sight; the like was never seen before. This naturally brought many sightseers from every section in the neighborhood, within a radius of ten miles around. The hills along the wayside were filled with people who took these favorable viewpoints to view the solemn procession as it proceeded to the church yard of St. Vincent de Paul’s Church. The large sweet-toned bell of that church tolling the knell of the departed.
BODIES LAID TO REST
The body of Sabella was laid to rest in a grave prepared for him, while the other seven were laid alongside of each other in one common grave.
The funeral procession was a very large one and countermarched on Sunbury Street, after which the funeral orations were delivered by Father Dr. Connor in Italian and the Father Parker in English.
Superintendent Hosie, Engineer Cochran, Superintendent Adams and many other prominent men throughout the coal region were in attendance at the funeral.
Fully 300 Italians followed the remains of their late countrymen to the late resting place, while hundred of men and women from the surrounding villages paid their respects by escorting the mourning party Italians from the house to the grave.
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The following additional articles are also from the same newspaper, the Pottsville Republican, April 27, 1892:
ITALIANS ARRIVING
Italians from all over the neighboring county are arriving on every train in large numbers, to attend the last obsequies of Albert Sabella and his fellow workmen who will be buried this afternoon at 2:30 o’clock.
ZERBE’S FUNERAL
The funeral of John H. Zerbe, one of the victims of the calamity, will take place on Saturday next. The hour has not yet been fixed.
CORONER’S JURY
The Coroner’s Jury to investigate the causes which led to the disaster, and upon whom to place the blame, consisting of Foreman James E. Brennan, William T. Jones, Ivor D. Jones, William Hildebrandt, John W. Woodward and John J. Schaeffler, will meet on Thursday morning if the parties interested in the investigation can be gotten together at that time. If not a time will be fixed during the interim.
THOMAS BUGGY LAID TO REST
The Last Sad Rites Performed, and Last Loving Tribute Paid the Deceased
Thomas Buggy, one of the unfortunate men who lost his life last Wednesday at the Lytle Coal Company’s disaster, and whose body was found on Sunday, was buried yesterday morning. The funeral proceeded from the residence of his mother at Black Heath to St. Vincent de Paul’s Church, where Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated by the rector, Rev. P. F. Beresford, at 10 o’clock. The Rev. Dr. O’Conner, of Philadelphia, preached an appropriate and affecting sermon, and gave absolution to the body.
The pall bearers were James Leary, William Gibbon, Mathias Feeney, Daniel Deegan, Joseph Bradley and John Delaney, friends and neighbors of the unfortunate young man. Foran and McGuigan were the funeral directors. The body was clothed in a white embossed satin casket, with a wax bouquet in his hand. Floral designs were rich and numerous, among which were a bunch of Italian wheat, two large lilies with a white ribbon bow, by an aunt, cross of flowers with the inscription “brother,” the gift of the young lady friends of Jonestown. A large concourse of people attended the funeral.
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