The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1886-12-02
PROFITS or UNDERTAKING.

tsary ExtravaganCe and Display.
The undertaking business isn't 50
|, profitable rs many imagine" said >
local undertaken to reporter. ..Pco-
pie in moderate circumstances cant
pay over 500 for funeral, which sum
usually includes . dozen carriages.
Many funerals cost much less. For
500 the undertaken must put the body
on ice. attend to the digging Of the
grave, furnish camp stools, the coffin
and dozen other things. all Of which
cost money. Carriages arc worth from
- to 81 apiece. according to the dis
lance"
Don't undertakcrs receive commits
sions from livery men?"
Yes, but the commission IS less than
most people suppose. On basis OF
800 funeral. with twelve carriages at
s. apiece. the undertaken would real
izc less than $50 for his time and
trouble. Surely. such compensation is
not cxorbitant."
DO Brooklyn undertakcrs ever send
circulars to bercavcd families. members
Of which are dead?'
mot that know OF. That practice
flourishes to greater or less extent in
New York. An undertaken who would
intrude on deceased mans family for
the purpose Of plying bis calling would,
7 fhinl 1.~nsv1v ,.;< -. sss.lo~ TIE IL 1l,&
Of man sending circulars explaining
the nature Of his business and giving
prices Is to refined mind atrocious.
Possibly. some undertakcrs carry on
such practices in the districts inhab.
tied by the poor. but II SO I'm not in
possession Of their names Not 50
many years ago undertakes were con-
sidercd in the same light with hang
men. Many people have = horror Of
the profession and would 60 blocks out
of their way to avoid passing under
takers shops. Of late years such an
tipathics have ceased. and tho high
toned members Of the profession now
call themselves funeral Director"
did you ever know Of doctor aid
| ing an undertaken in securing :
'case'?" was asked.
..Not exactly. While I know Of no
instance in which physician willfully
killed patient SO as to furnish an
undertaken with . case, could name
many doctors who recommend certain
undertakes to bercavcd families. Posi-.
bly,, the physicians whom l have refer.
ence to don't receive commission. but
the chances are that they are reimbursed
for their trouble. Do you know that
certain individuals are fascinated by
funerals? For three or four years I
noticed that an old lady, attired in 3
somewhat shabby dress. was often
present at funerals of which l had
charge. At first I thought she was
relative or friend. but finally became
curious and questioned her. Learned
that she had q mania for attending
funerals. She keeps record of the
funerals attended and the list when
last saw Der numbered LOO. The old
lady tells me that she has attended ~
many as three funerals in one day.
She can cry ut moments notice, and
usually sheds tears at the funeral of a
young girl The queer individual
under notice comes very near 70 what
the professional mourner il supposed
70 be. The mania for attending tuner.
ais y not confined to woman. One
man. with round. chubby, good
natured faee. 10 frequent yisito. 70
many Of the funerals Of which have
charge. Il has > somewhat democrat
Using effect on most men 70 attend .
funeral. and ID liable to mako them
sad and thoughtful"
what feeling prompts people to It
tend funerals Of persons with whom
they were Tot acquainted in life?"
Curiosity. Many have . morbid
curiosity in regard to tho dead and arc
ct all times haunting morgues and hos
pitfalls. Such men lind comfort and
pleasure in attending funerals"
Are the poor 50 lavish = formerly
in their expenditures in burying their
desdp"
Il hardly think 50. In former years
It was the custom Of poor people. and
more especially Catholics, to bury their
dead In the most extravagant manner
have had charge Of funerals in which
there wero no less than two hundred
carriages Widows have often sold tho
beds from under them to give their
husbands respectable burials. The Gus
tom Of having costly funerals 10 dying
out, thanks 70 tho efforts Of the Cath
Ole clergy. who havo for years de-
nounced the practice rs an injustice %
the living. Many families, 30 poor q
to Be hardly able to keep body and soul
together. labor night and day to pay
undertaker's bills for services rendered
to some deceased relative. Among
certain CLASSES Of the poor it is consid-
cred disgrace not to give ones rela-
tive = respectable burial. When ! say
. respectable burial l mean ) funeral
costing upward Of two hundred dol
lars. "-Brooklyn Eagle.
o-
They raise energetic hens In Kan.
sas. A Kingman County man had ono
that tried to hatch out > sitting Of cggs
and failed; then tried > second lot and
brought forth ten fine chicks; took
care Of them for six weeks, during tho
last three Of which she laid an egg
every other day; then wanted 70 sit
again. and not being permitted, stole