Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-10-17
THE FUNERAL PYRE.
INClNERATlON OF THE REMAINS OF
UR. +. ]. LIE M0YNE.
The Washington CrematiOntst's Body Con-
sumed in His Own Fiery Furnace
End of an eccen-
trio Man.
WASHINGTON, Pa, October l6.

Moyne, the celebrated advocate Of the
incineratlon of corpses. To almost
every one at any distance from the
scene of DR.. LeMoyne's life his only
fame is in connection with his efforts to
popularize cremation. But here the
Doctor had been quite public charac
ter long before he attracted the attention
of the world by building his crematory.
His life had been devoted to philan-
thropy in his highest and truest sense.
Born of French parents in Washington
county, as long ago as 1898, he was iden-
titled with the growth and progress OF
that thriving district ever since he at
tanned the years of manhood. His boy
hood was characterized by rapid ad-
vancement in the pursuit of knowledge.
His chief training, apart from the self
education which formed part of his
every day life, was obtained at Wash
ington College, of which his father
was one of the earliest bene-
factors, and he himself one
of the most substantial friends. He
early exhibited that sturdiness of dispo-
sition and marked talent which have
made themselves felt in the scientific
and philosophical world. He was a close
student, and, in the profession of medi-
| cine, to which his tastes and habits of
life gravitated, he constantly pursued
the most thorough investigation into the
vet unexplored regions of the science.
For the past quarter OF a century he had
retired from active practice, but prior 10
| that period his fame as a physician and
surgeon was national, and the weight of
his authority on difficult points OF theo-
ry and practice generally recognized.
An apparent brusqueness of manner,
which but slimly covered superabund-
ance of good nature, was not calculated
| to impress patients favorably, but his
great skill and clear methods OF treat
ment endeared him to the community
in which he lived. Beyond the hours
passed in regular practice his life was
largely devoted to books, to intimate
companionship with the great writers of
the past and present. His mind was
wonderful storehouse of knowledge, and
it is a great loss that many OF his useful
and practical deductions may not sur
vive him.
AS An ARoLITIONIsT
the Doctor attained considerable fame.
In that, as in all things into which he
entered, he was pronounced radical,
and his house Is said to have been one
of the stations of the underground rail-
way" as the system of aid to fugitive
slaves on their way 10 Canada was call
ed. For his vigorous advocacy oil the
Abolition cause he was nominated in
lS4S, il we rightly remember, for the
Vice Presidency on the Free Soil ticket,
with James q. Birney at the head.
Within year or two OF the same period,
perhaps prior TO that year, the Free
Sellers ran him for Governor OF Penn
sylvania, and he was twice nominated
by the same party subsequently.
His philanthrophy was as practical as
it was generous. Many years ago he
donated $4,000 to what has since be-
come Washington and Jefferson College,
and but few months before his death
duplicated this munificent gift. He also
contributed $4,000 to the borough OF
Washington for the purpose of building
up a library. More than that, he origi-
mated and largely endowed what has
now become a fourishing seminary for
colored youth, which is located in Ten
nessee. This institution, which bore
his name, he was supporting out OF his
private fortune at the time OF his death,
and it Is supposed that it and other char
liable and educational institutions have
been rel .embered in his will.
AS scientific man he was well known
to prominent scientists. He Was a close
and severe student, and his labors have
resulted in many important achieve
ments for the cause OF scientific progress.
1t was, however,
AS A CREMATIONIsT
that DR.. LeMoyne is best known to the
world at large, and as the enthusiastic
advocate of this modeo disposing OF the
dead he is known wherever the system
has supporter He became a convert
TO the theory many wears ago through
his observation of the evils arising from
interment of the dead as seen BY him in
his capacity OF physician.
A few years ago he conceived the pro-
ject OF building crematory which
should receive his own remains at the
end OF his earthly career, and according
ly constructed the modest brick editice
on "Gallows Hill" which overlOoks the
town OF Washington and a vast sur
rounding country. He met with much
opposition, and many of his old-time
friends, clinging to a superstition, as
the Doctor expressed it, that it was a
crime to burn the dead, were alienated
from him. This fact did not result in
any modification of his views. He be-
lieved that he was right, and would
have pursued his course il the whole
town had turned against him. He COM
pleted his crematory, and the body OF
the famous "Theosophist," Baron De
Palm, was the first TO be cremated. The
circumstances attending its incineration
created world wide interest. The cre-
nation was so successful that DR.. Le-
Moyne could not restrain his great
pleasure. Many who assembled 10 see
the Baron's body cremated thought that
DR.. LeMoyne was not
sEEMLY IN HIS PLEASURE.
He was large sized man. His great
gray beard fell on a massive chest, and
he weighed more than 200 pounds. Yet
he was always very active, and on this
day Of the first experiment with
the crematory he darted around
among the spectators, inviting them
TO step forward and see how beauti-
fully the operation was taking place.
But his friends said that it was only his
qualification in seeing that the furnaces
and retorts and all that he had spent
so much time and money in construct
ing were giving proof Of the soundness
of his theory that the incineration OF
human body is far more satisfactory
and pleasing disposition ofthe dead than
inhumation is. After the Baron's dust
had been collected and put into Hindoo
jar and the fires had gone out, DR.. Le-
Moyne troubled himself no more about
cremation. The crematory stood on his
farm, so that he could look at it when
ever he passed that way, and he seemed
pleased to know that il would be the
white heated tomb for six hours OF his
own body.