Death of Beauty...

Colour Sergeant Scott who fed Greyfriars Bobby is buried in Piershill Cemetery, Edinburgh.

Wednesday 5th May marks the anniversary of the death of Beauty who is also buried in the cemetery. The beautiful little terrier who had been given to the Great Lafayette by Harry Houdini slept on velvet cushions and wore a collar of pure gold studded with diamonds.

The Geat Lafayette came to Edinburgh to play at the Empire Theatre, Nicolson Street in 1911. While staying at the Caledonian Hotel at the city’s west end, Beauty died of apoplexy due to over eating. Lafayette was grief sticken and arranged to have the terrier embalmed and buried in Piershill Cemetery.

While the illusionist was appearing at the Empire, the theatre caught fire and Lafayette perished in the flames. Following Lafayette's instructions, Beauty’s coffin was re-opened and the great entertainer’s ashes placed beside the body of his four-footed friend.

The photograph courtesy of the Museum of Fire shows the horse-drawn hearse taking the Great Lafayette's ashes to be placed in Beauty's coffin.

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