George L. Brinley

From the Waterbury Democrat (Waterbury, Connecticut), June 5, 1901, accessed December 2024 at the Library of Congress:

FUNERAL FOR A CAT.

"Old Mat" Was Buried in Pennsylvania with Impressive Ceremonies and Honor.

Did you ever hear of a cat's funeral? Such occurrences are very rare, but at Narberth, Pa., the other week scores of people attended such a ceremony over the remains of Old Mat, a general village favorite.

Old Mat had certainly earned as much right to be called "a well-known and old respected, citizen" as many who walked on two legs less than he did. He was only a cat, but by his conspicuous sagacity, his purring kindness, and his undaunted courage he had gained the respect of every inhabitant of Narberth and the surrounding country. Perhaps stray dogs learned to respect him most of all.

George L. Brimley was nominally the owner of Old Mat, and he declares that the cat was invaluable es a "watchdog," having once tackled single-handed, or rather four-footed, a gang of burglars who forced an entrance to Brimley's store and effectively driven them away with the loss of several clawsful of hair and flesh.

When the news of Old Mat's death became known everybody in Narberth felt as if an old friend had gone from their midst, and it was determined to give Mat such a funeral as never before fell to the lot of a cat. A small casket, lined with silk, was made and covered by a silk coat made for the purpose. Into this the battle-scarred body of Old Mat was reverentially laid.

The funeral ceremonies were held in the back parlor of the Brimley house hold. Harry Brimley delivered an exhaustive eulogy over the remains, and then all hands retired to the cemetery, situated in the backyard. In the center of the lawn a deep grave had been dug, and around this the mourners ranged themselves. By John Calter and Harry M. Humes, who acted as pallbearers, the casket was lowered amid an impressive silence.

The following day a neat little stone was erected over Old Mat's grave.

Updated September 1, 2025.