The execution of Frank Small in Pittsburgh in March 1882 did not end public interest in his case. If anything, his death appears to have intensified it.
After Small was executed on a Friday, his body was taken to the home of his aunt, Mrs. Zelly. Almost immediately, crowds began gathering outside, eager for a glimpse of the condemned man. By Saturday evening, the curiosity had become so overwhelming that Mrs. Zelly began charging visitors 25 cents each to enter the house and view the body.
For six or seven hours, people reportedly streamed through the home, generating a considerable amount of money before city officials intervened. When the mayor learned what was happening, the chief of police was ordered to stop the paid viewings and place officers at the house.
The funeral itself drew even larger crowds. One minister refused to conduct the service because Small had not been buried on Saturday, leaving another clergyman to officiate. The house was packed, while an estimated 10,000 people crowded the surrounding streets and alleys.
Even finding a burial place proved controversial. Officials at Allegheny Cemetery refused to accept Small’s remains, citing an 1858 rule prohibiting the burial of murderers. He was eventually taken to Uniondale Cemetery.
There, more than 5,000 people reportedly gathered to witness the final services.
A Murderer’s Funeral
PITTSBURGH. — Never has there been such a curiosity displayed at a funeral in Allegheny County as there was this afternoon at the funeral of Frank Small, who was executed on Friday.
The house of Mrs. Zelly, Small’s aunt, has been surrounded by an eager crowd ever since Small’s body was taken there on Friday evening.
On Saturday evening, Mrs. Zelly began charging 25 cents admission to all who desired to see the body of Small. The fee was paid for six or seven hours by a stream of people that kept constantly pouring into the house and a large sum was realized.
The Mayor learned of the proceedings and the Chief of Police stopped them and sent police there to take charge of the house and body.
Rev. E.R. Donehoo refused to conduct the funeral exercises because the body was not buried on Saturday.
Rev. E.M. Wood conducted the services this afternoon.
The house was packed and probably 10,000 people swarmed the streets and alleys adjoining.
The Allegheny Cemetery Authorities refused to allow the body to be buried there, because in 1858 a resolution was adopted by the managers that no murderers should be buried there. The remains were interred in Uniondale Cemetery in Allegheny, where more than 5,000 people had assembled to see the end of the services.
Source: Millheim Journal. Millheim, Pa. March 30, 1882.
