STEPHEN GIRARD'S FUNERAL CAUSES TROUBLE

Stephen Girard, a wealthy merchant of Philadelphia, died on February 26, 1831. His will left a fortune to many worthy causes. There was a report that when he was near death, he had requested his sister to secure a Roman Catholic priest.

This was construed as a desire to become reconciled with the church; but when the priest arrived, Girard was dead.

On the strength of this report permission was given to admit the body into the German Roman Catholic Church building. 400 Masons assembled at the Masonic Hall, by invitation of the Grand Lodge, and marched to the church to attend the funeral.

They did not wear their aprons in order to avoid criticism. The clergy, left in a body and refused to perform any service.

The Masons took charge and buried the remains of Stephen Girard in the vault he had designated.

When Girard College was built under the terms of his will, the body was re-interred in a marble tomb on the grounds of the school.