Two undertakers with the same name can cause confusion. In July 1898, John Shipley was killed in a train wreck near New Albany. George Shrader claimed the body and prepared it for burial. However, Shipley’s mother wanted George’s brother, John Shrader, Jr., to do the honors. George refused to transfer the body to John. The next day, George Schrader went to Edwardsville to bury Mr. Shipley. John Shrader and Mrs. Shipley confronted him and demanded the body. John performed the burial and George returned to New Albany with an empty casket.
Image courtesy of George Weigleb