Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-12-04
HE GREW TOO FAT TO LIVE,
Joseph RiveFman DIES In Belle
vne Hospital Of Too
mueh Flesh.

He just iattened up until he was
smOthsred to death. That's the whole
story"
Uudeft4kef Mum, Of rs Avenue
d., looked seriously over his specta.
Giles at World reporter yesterday rs
be utteredthese words. In. the mid.
4 die Of the hoor was a pair 81 massive
Wooden horses, upon whioh rested
what looked Nike large sized bath
tub covered with black cloth, and
decorated with narrow strips OF white
metal. 1t was cofiin for toe roInnins
lot Joseph Riverman, who died At
Bellevue Hospital Wednesday night
He was q German cigar maker, thirty
four years old, aud just before hi:
death resided At No. $50 East Third
street.
Rivermsn was fond Of sausage, sau,
erkraut, barische, leberwurst, kartof
fel knoedel, schweineheisch, lager beef
and other east side delicacies, He
earned good wages and was able &c
crafty his epicurean tastes to such al
extent that about four years ago hi.
neighbors began to remark that hG
was getting fat. His bulk increased
so rapidly that be had to have hi.
clothing made with broad tuoks and
plaits. Every fortnight he shook oul
alrSoi, " &1eaA " ~
HE GETS TOO FAT.
/ He feared to sneeze lest the sean
down the back Of his coat should Civ,
wJy, Night and day the layers O
tissues increased beneath his tighten
ing skim For two ye4rs before hi.
death he did not see his feet. Ii,
would not sleep in room with dool
OF ordinary width, fearing that ht
might not beable TO got out in thu
morning. Finally he had to abandon
Ais trade. Ictili 3Tli-
Afhe amount Of worry which his un.
fortunate condition cost him would
have made any man thin, but it haC
the opposite effect on Joseph After &
time be was unable to walk more thar
a block OF time. Chairs which sup
ported him at the beginning Of dinner
often broke down. before be had
emptied his last mug Of beer. Every
4 thing which the anxions care Of hi.
\ friends could suggest a. remedy fol
! the ceaseless growth Of fatvas tried
IN vain. The poems Of the sweet sin,
gor Of Michigan were availing anC
even the obsolete fifteen puzzle lostitl
charms Go aliNrn
REsovLED INA TRUCK.
] In the earlier part Of this week
Riyerman gained SO very rapidly thaI
1t was considered advisable to senC
him TO Bellevue. A two horse furni
ture truck was summoned and fvl
experienced piano movers carried hin
down stairs. He died at midnight D
Bught disease and fatty degenera
ton Of the heart. 4 "F'F II
Undertaken Mum provided al
cnorm0usioe box for the remains unit
a coffin could be made at a Greenpoin
shipyard. The coffin was delivered
yestesday. An intelligent young mai
vas lining it with feecy muslin wher
the reporter called. A group Of curl
4 Gus children were Aattening theil
unWsshed noses against the glas
doors and gazing at the huge coffin.
DIMENSIONS OF HIS COFFIN.
4 Eli poor Joe's soul is as big as hi
body they'll have to unhinge tn
pesrly gates, said the young man h
the merry accompaniment Of his tacl
hammer. raf Wn 3
/ This box is nearly seven feet lon
and more than two deep. Joe wa
J only fvefeet 5 inches long himself
but he tipped the beam OF $50. The,
say that he broke down the scales tn
last time he was weighed, but don
4 know how true that Is. Why, hi
stomach sticks out like mountaiR
and we can't get his arm folded. IL
going to be big job to get him il
here, he's SO broad at the elbows. An,
then, continued the speaker. seatinI
himself on the edge Of the coffin, peo
pie who die as he did swell up after
wards. We don't think he'll jump GU
OF the ice box. Oh, no. It tool
eight men to carry him in here, anC
Lord only knows how many will b.
needed to take him out | guess W,
can get him out without taking dow
part OF the house-at least ] hop
so.
A large delegation Of able bodie,
men assisted in putting the body il
the coffin last night. The luneral,wil
take place from the undertaker's shoI
to>dsy. q tiYa .