Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-03-21
Premature RuriaIs.

1oCr Stdr:-lh lsst nights STAR L was re-
loiced 10 sec the commencement of the scru-
sade" against the horrible and indecent practice
OF hurrying into the grave the supposed corpses
OF friends and relatives, not to speak of poor
strangers, just as If we wished TO rid ourselves
OF them as soon as possible. The life long
agoniZing thought. that they may have been In
auance only. should make us shudder TO run
the horrible risk OF interriBg bodies before de
composition has taken place.
When young, 1 read a large pamphlet re
counting hundreds OF instances, we'll authenti
Gated, of premature burials, which took place
IN countries where the law forbids intermen
before three full days have elapsed Except in
epidemics1 and where the common practice is 10
keep the bodies full week in a comfortable
room without the modern hesthenish freezing
process, and II such has been the case where
these precautions are taken, how many NAV
have been consigned to a living tomb through
me indecent haste which is common in this
country. Moreover, my mother told me about
the awful suffering Of q Mrs. Reuter-, who was
apparently dead, and was buried in a week.
receive the corpse of her little babe and on
opening the coffin il was found that conscious
ness had returned, and in her struggles to free
herself she had pushed out the head and foot
board OF the coffin, and her mouth was filled
with sand and soil.
Let us exhume and examine 100 bodies Tor
LOCO If need bel and We shall be better able 20
judge whether there is any need OF agitation In
regard 10 this matter.
The French physicians, accounted the most
scientific in the world, have thought 1t worth
the investigation Of this subject; now let the
United States, first in all reforms, do something
TO prevent this horrible suffering, even ii some
experienced NJ. II. e. who have Just received their
diplomas, pronounce the alarm unnecessary,
and the accounts only "sensation stories with
out any foundation whatever. w.
Grudging the Dead.
SOMEBODY SHOULD HANG SOMEBODY, BUT WHO
Is TO DO IT?
Editor Stdr:-The article published in last
night STAR, under the signature OF A. G.. H.,
on the heartless and barbarous custom OF bury
ing persons before signs OF death are apparent,
10 important, timely, and humane. The cruelty
OF hurryiDg friend out of his home is, as saws
A. q. H., Attributable either TO indifference or
grudge OF the restraint and the time lost in
watching the poor remains q few hours longer.
AS doubtless hundreds have been and are
doomed 70 that most terrible of fates-buriaI
alive-it Is matter of vital import to all of us
70 guard against so hideous possibility. The
Angel OF Death has often visited our household
to summon cherished members, but nerer was
one turned out until the impress OF the solemn
messenger was visible in positive signs of de-
composition.
Another equally fatal practice is that of
'freezing-hurrying person into ice before the
quiyeriDg flesh has had time TO cool In this
way, too, hundreds have been murdered, aud
the fashion Is on the increase. A gentleman
bending over the ice coffin OF his young wife
placed his hand on her heart just in time to feel
the last pulsations. She was frozen TO death.
Others make q sure end of trouble and delay by
emtdlmiHg the scarce ineensate BODY. Instances
OF murder OF this kind are also known. Ice and
emtatming are cunning devices to swell the
profits OF undertakere; avoid both until. at least
after decomposition. The earthly shrine of no
Trend Of mine shall ever be desecrated by either
vile process The only sure way OF preventing
any Of these modes Of murder Is to afford our
certain. A.B.G.
The Deer Blockade.
OPERATIONS In WORCESTER, MASS.
opersa0ns were resumed by the PRAYING
bands In Worcester, Mass, yesterday AFTERNOON,
prayers were offered and hymns sung. The
state constables were also actively st work all
day, and searched o large number Of saloons,
but with little success.
DasoRplRLY PROCEEDINGS II CLEVELAND,
In Cleveland, Ohio, yesterday, the ladies,
under the projection Of the police, continued
we're jeered and hooted at by the crowd. x
policeman attempted 70 arrest one Of the
rougns, and fight was started, In which the
police we're Obliged 70 use their clubs, which
arrests. The streets were crowded witlpexcited
Germans, and riot was at one time imminepf-
but the arrival Of reinforcements from police
nnSH s ,S put matters IN better shape.
organized q PROCESSION composed Of lager beer
wagons loaded with beer kegs, on which ssf \
large number Of men drinking beer e they
moved through the streets.
TIE wonIr Of Iowa ere rapidly preparing
iot tne ballot By instruction In parliamentary
oranges in the Stase, in which 1900 women are
whole country sSsrs ere On neatly id6 90 women.
Tn er.AHER EpsAs srswAsf was seissd
in Baltimore yesterday BY United States Mar
government sutsefiuss q haainssen.
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