The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-07-06

Some of the Darker Shadows OF CUR Cl'iiiSa'
tioR-Thc MOrgue, the Dead House
and the PETERS Field.
A TRINITY OF HORRORS.
A Chinese Joss House in the
Sixth Ward.

OF the undefcurrent Oh misery, PUN anu
suffering which accompanies all our civilization
that the present article speaks. 1t Is OF the SICK
epipg meanings of such words as the Morgue, the
bead House the Potter's Field, the Boat Of Death
and all these similar dark shadows In the bright
Hood OF light which runs through our daily life.
TIE MoRGuE
IL one OF the really necessary institutions, because
there seems to be other way OF disposing OF the
unknown dead. 1t is awful 10 note the crowd OF
people who usually surround this place OF death
women and children, not brought here by any
sentiment OF awe, but by that morbid curiosity
which delights TO look upon the dead. The
sun comes in at the window and plays
ut hide and seek with the shadows making
diamonds OF the drops OF water falling upon the
putrefying remnants OF humanity and running
about the room in ftfu play, suggesting now and
then dark scenes OF crime and murder and the
suddenly going out, while the laughter OF the boys
in the streets continues and makes lasting
accompaniment TO the water which Is dropping
ever ana counting the moments OF eternity.
Many OF the corpses here are claimed, many are
never looked for. Hasty inquests seldom develop
the true causes of death. Half these cases have
been found in the river. Verdict, accidental
drowning. The river buries many secrets for ever.
Marks OF violence cannot be substantiated as
blows; they may come from being scraped up
and down the bottom OF the river and IN
and ont among the piers. But for all
this tho careesaness exhibited in the whole
manner Of conducting these inquiries Is
remarkable, and it Is only at long intervals
that an nconveDent case crops up to show
the public what a want OF care there is in these
inquests. Readers Of the HERALD may STILL per-
haps, remember the case OF poor Coulson, q
HERALD reporter, who had been found drowned,
and on whose corpse were numerous papers es-
vyh in NJ a
came very near being hudded in an unknown
grave because some Coroner pigeon-ho the
papers and was, probably, too busy TO
care to read them. The anxious inquiries oi
friends, by the merest chance, made the gross
error palpable.
THE DEAD HOUSE.
This is more Objectionable place than the
Morgue in itself because here comes for boxing up
and nnal disposition all the codies which have
laid the regulation time at the Morgue and which
are to be boxed up for interment in the Potter's
Field. These corpses have lain In the Morgue ct
least forty eight hours 30 that in sny case they
are not IN favorable condition to suggest very
pleasant feelings. When decomposition is far ad-
vanced the Dead House cart loads the body
wherever i. found and takes it the Dead House
Tor the inquest. The writer at one time
stood at the entrance OF the Dead House
when the ambulance drove up l,,o,, with
and so horribly decomposed that the atmosphere
for hundred yards around was almost unbeara-
bic. The body was carried out OF the cart TO the
Dead House, and not ten minutes arter four OF the
friends OF the dead man arrived one OF whom had
been IN the water with him two days before, when
he was drowned The examination then took
place and features had been SO distorted during
MIXING the corpse as that OF their friend and the
two others stood against IT, They did not know
and abide by the decision which was done~"Heads
It's MIN, tails 1T isn't" Head came up, ana the
friends thcreupon made ar1davit that they recog-
ntxed the body and would take care OF 1t.
THE DEATH BOAT.
II is a little boat painted black, and has suc-
ceeded the Hope, which formerly did this service
and was sunk In He'll Gate some time since. Here
she cor1ns, however few or many they may be- are
oiled one top OF The other In the forward portion
the patients and prisoners who are being trans
ferred to the islands being placed in the backward
ing and makes her trip to the various tnsutu-
ttOns-the Charity Hospital on Blackwelps Island,
the Workhouse, the Lunatic Asylum or any OF the
other sad but necessary paces--and when her
living freight has Dsen GOT rid Of starts on up to
Harris Island with her cargo of dead. The num-
Der differs very much, sometimes In sum uer there
being twenty or thirty in day, and then again
there beng but one or two. These, being pauper
main idea Is 30 get rid OF them as quickly as pos
slble. Arrived at Hart's Island, the transfer is
done In very speedy sort OF manner, and the
boat. once rid OF the responsibility, returns to the
city.
TIE poTTER's FIELD
This is, perhaps, the saddest and most dc5ofate
sight of our CIVILIZATION. Years ago the old POtter's
Field was in what Is now Washington square. The
bodies which were Inferred mere have never been
removed nor ever Will be. subsequently to this
the P0tter's Field was removed to the upper por-
u0n or the city, on the east side, and, finally, to
Harris Island, where 1t now is. But, even at the
rate they are going now, the space OF the pauper
manner Of burial, in deep trenches, one over an.
other, pemel!. any way, is shameful COM
ment on our supposed respect for the dead. What
real respect IL there In the custom which only
gives decent burial to those who can pay for 1t 2
But what adds to the shocking display Is the fact
inter body. there Is no means In the world by
which IT can be recognized except by opening all
course very shameful, but when a heavy rain in
comes and washes away the thin layer OF earth
above these collins and noats them about in mex
open and exposing the dead to the face OF heaven,
and when the sun comes down on all this, the
poisons the whole neighborhood.
CHINESE JOSS HOUSE.
About the middle OF DonOvans lane. ana RIM
ming between Two large warehouses which nank
II, runs long corridor, dark and ill-smellng, and
which leads to staircase rickety aud tumble.
downy. Ascending it rom the corridor one
reaches the second moor, and here the one door
is Immediately presented OF room almost flied
with Cinnamon. Tney sit around the table gam
bling and n taer 2 the
these are smoking, others chewing opium,
and two or three are on The door
entering, above all others, is the close fetid smell
produced by the opium, and which deadens all
OLnoT OuOTS. lHc IuTultuTe Is poOI, cVeu squauu,
the floor uucarpeted, the walls bare. Still the
game goes on with the same Vim, the same ex-
Cftement. Now and then one drops off rom the
game "broke." and, stretching himself on the
moor, sinks into slumber. At the side OF the room
facing the door OF entry Is another door, which
opens In the same easy way. Entering here one
aind. Here everything is sim and quiet. on tue
wall, between TWO windows opening on
small dark courtyard. Is large pic
ture OF the Chinese god. It represents
him sitting cross-le9ged like a mandarin.
Fronting him is o lamp, which never either day
or night, Is allowed to 20 out. Under this Is q
piece OF yellow silk, from China, covered with
cabalistIc figures and evidently much revered.
Around the god are number OF toys and jim
cracks. The moor Is carpeted and clean. one
Chinaman Is present and stands reverently before
the godhead uncovered and watching 1t intently.
AZ mufHiuf come tne voices OF the eXcited
players and their vile oaths can be heard. 1t Is,
indeed, singular. the contrast between these men
IN the gods room and out OF II. Once away rom
the actual presence 0! their god and their bad
fnin naain H..