Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1883-12-06
CHASTITY HUMOR.
Joseph Riverman Dies in Bellevue
of too much Flesh.

Joseph Riverman Dies in Bellevue
of too much Flesh.
n. Y. World.
'sHe just fattened up until he was
smothered to death. That's the
whole story"
Undertaken Munn, of No. 78
Avenue d. looked seriously over his
spectacles at World reporter yes
| terday as he uttered these words.
In the middle of the floor was a
pair of massive wooden horses, upon
which rested what looked like a
large bath>tub covered with black
cloth, and decorated with narrow
strips of white metal. 1t was a coffin
for the remains of Joseph River
man, who died at BELLEVUE Hospital
Wednesday night. He was Ger
man cigar-maker, thirty-four years
old. and Just before his death resid-
ed at No. 345 East Third street.
Riverman was fond of sausage,
Sauerkraut, Barische, ,Leberwurst.
Kartoffel, Knoldel, Schweinfeish,
lager and other east side delicacies.
He earned good weges and was able
to crafty his epicurean tastes to
such an extent that about four years
ago the neighbors began to remark
that he was becoming fat. His bulk
increased 80 rapidly that he had to
have his clothing made with broad
tucks and plaits. Every fortnight
he shook out reef.
He GETS TOO FAT.
He feared to sneeze lest the seam
down the back of his coat should
give way. Night and day the lay
ers of tissue Increased beneath his
tightening skin. For two years be-
fore his death he did not see his
feet. He would not sleep In a
room with a door of ordinary width
fearing that he might not be able to
get out in the morning. Finally he
had to abandon his trade. s,ly
The amount of worry which his
unfortunate condition cost him
would have made many a man thin
but it had the opposite effect on
Joseph. After time he was unable
to walk more than block at a time
Chairs which supported him at the
beginning of dinner, otter broke
down before he had emptied lis last
mug of beer Everything which the
anxious care of his friends could sug-
gest as remedy for the ceaseless
growth of fat was tried in vain. The
poems Of the Sweet Singer Of Mich
igan were unavailing, and even the
obsolete fifteen puzzle lost it's
charms. ,a ~ sg
REMOVED In a TRUCK.
In the earlier part of this. week
Riverman gained SO very rapidly
that it was considered advisable to |
send him to Bellevue. A two~horse |
furniture truck was summoned, and |
five experienced piano movers car
ried him downstairs. He died Tat |
midnight of Brighls disease and
fatty degeneration Of the heart. /
Undertaken Mum provided an
enormous ice box for the remains
until a coffin could be made at d
Greenpoint .shipyard.; The coffin
was delivered yesterday. An in
telligent young man was lining it
with .feecy muslin when the repor1
ter called /. A group Of curious
children were fattening their unit
washed noses against the glass
doors, and gazing at the huge coffin.
DIMENSIONS OF THE COFFIN. i
Eff poor .Joe's soul is as big as
his BODY thoy'u have to unhinge
the pearly gates, said the young
man to the merry accompaniment of
his tack hammer.ai E5g9oi@ d T
HThis boy is nearly seven feet
long and more than two deep. Joe
was only feet 8 inches long himi
self, but he tipped the beam at $50!
They say that he broke down the
scales the last time that he was
weighed, but I don't know how trud
that is., Why, his stomach sticks
out like a mountain and we can't
get his arms folded. It's going to
be big Job to get him in here, he's
so broad at the elbows And then,"
continued the speaker, seating him
self on the edge OF the coffin, "peo-
pie who die as he did swell up af-
terward. We don't think he'll jump
out of the icesbox. Oh, no. It took
eight men to carry him in here and
the Lord only knows how many will
be needed to take him out. guess
we can get him out without taking
down part of the house-at least
hope so.' M s ae
A large delegation of ablebodied
men assisted in putting the. body
in The coffin last night. The funer-
al will take place from the underba>.
ker's shop to-day.