[merc]

Feb 5, 1874

Some excitement has been caused in Chatham Garrison by the refusal of the Rev. M. Cuffe. Roman Catholic Chaplain to the forces, to perform the burial servive over Armourer-Sarg. J. Johnstone, of the 82nd Regiment, A Roman Catholic Freemason, who died in Fort Pitt Hospital. The deceased had been a member of the Buckley Lodge of Freemasons, who met at the Soldiers Institute. A resident Roman Catholic priest also declined, as the Rev. M. Cuffe was his senior. The Rev. Mr. Phillips, a Protestant clergyman, performed the church service when the deceased was interred in the military burial ground near Fort Pitt. The deceased was much respected, and hundreds of soldiers attended the funeral.

From The Times.