The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-06-26
A DIGGER OF GRAVES.
HePauses and CHATS About His Somber
Work.
Fronl the Detroft Tfib1tne.

WOTk.
From the Detroit Tribune
In the minds of the populace at large the
grave digger is pictured as a person of
solemn visaga and somber apparel. This is
O delusion. In truth he wears the garb of a
laborer and has the countenance of
geniality, as though he were not averse to
delving in the sand and loan set apart for
the resting place of the dead In fact he
appears to assimilate the sentiments en-
graved upon carven marble tombstones and
tall, polished brownStone shafts, as we'll as
to imbibe the impressions created by sway
ing evergreens, the plaintive songs of soi-
tary birds, silently fitting butterflies and
the beautiful mute flowers. That is in the
summer. In the winter his occupation is
not gone. Then with pick he breaks the
frosted soil, while the sharp winds rudely
play with drifting SHOWS and clothe the
monuments In fantastic garments of purest
white.
Some burial grounds are less picturesque,
as for instance where the earthquake comes
and swallows its victims as though it mat
tered not how dust was turned to dust, or
ashes turned to ashes" Again comes the
burial at sea, where the deceased is tenderly
enveloped IN a canvas shroud, and amid
bowed heads and the murmur of rolling
waves the dead is cast to the tender mer-
cies of the deep. Or in the regions of the
aurora borealis the dead is placed on a
couch of crystal Ice, with ice to the right,
ice to the left and ice above them. Learned
scientists of the olden times reduced in
fiery retorts of elegant structure the de-
parted to ashes, which were placed in urns
of elaborate workmanship for preservation.
Moderns are now endeavoring to resuscitate
the custom of cremation, and would do
away with the grave digger of universal
civilization.
The Indians of America had an originaI
idea. An example was seen in the wilds of
Idaho several years ago. 1t was on the
east fork of the Salmon river on the north
ern slope of the Sawtooth range of noun
tains. Itwas on a triangular shaped park
at the mouth of canyon, whose sides were
heavily numbered with stunted pines. In
the park stood an outrageous oak
Twenty feet from its base a platform had
been constructed in the strong branches.
Upon the platform, wrapped in bark and
swathed with leathern thongs lay the bones
of departed cheftains renowned for their
prowess in battle. They were out of reach
of prowling wolves and secure from the
eagles that swoop down occasionally from
the purple peaks.
But civilization requires fulfllment of
the law of earth to earth and ashes to ashes.
A visit was paid recently to a grave
digger at a cemetery in Detroit. He was
brown from exposure, bearded and withal
pleasant He sees many people in tears,
but of these he is discreetly oplivious. and
he is 10th to disturb any who GENE alone
in sorrow to hold silent communion with
the dead. This grave digger did not refuse
to tell anything of his occupation. 1t is a
privilege accorded to but a few In any
settled community to make a trade of
creating excavations of 81 or G feet In
depth as per the universal regulations of
cemeteries.
The undertaken brings to the superin-
tendent notice of DEATH" said he, with
the deed of the lot and a statement of the
wishes of the bereaved in relation thereto.
Then [ receive my instructions Sometimes
it comes the day of burial, on short notice.
On other occasions day or two may eapse
Some days we may have but one grave to
dig and ON others three or four. Sometimes
the deceased may be placed in the vault
and there remain for a length of time to
await the coming of a relative from far
away, or to await the preparation of a
family vault. t
But the most interesting portion of our
business is in the opening of old graves for
removal of the remains to another lot or
cemetery. Not long since one was opened
on the public lot for the purpose of placing
the remains of the deceased in a grave on
lot that the relatives had purchased
The burial had been made twenty-five
years ago. The coffin and shrouds had all
vanished, but the body was still there, just
as it was first buried, only that the flesh had
dried on like piece of parchment, but was
thick and shrunk together. The soil was
clay. 1t had been stamped down over the
box, and, hardening like cement, formed a
natural air and waterproof crust. Another
opened grave:of eightyears, showed petri-
fed body, just like stone, and another, that
of a woman who died over seventeen years
ago from having her lower limbs cut off by
being run over by the street cars, was also
found to be as solid as rock-petrified.
Albright cast iron caskets have wonder
full preventative powers. Through the
small glass top of one recently taken up for
removal its occupant, placed therein nearly
twenty-six years ago, was seen looking
almost as on the day of burial By looking
closely, however, one could see that the
flesh had dropped down bit from thes skin.
The collar and neckwear was in place also
Wood collins and caskets, of course, do
not last so long, and much of their en-
during qualities depend upon the character
of the soil they are placed in. Silk shrouds
last a great length of time. In a recent
taking-up the flesh had all dropped away in
dust from the skeleton, while the shroud of
ollk was u1UdCU anu SO SUTOHR UndU III COulQ
hardly be torn by the hands. Old-fashioned
neckties of black silk are also frequently
found in state of apparent newness.
Natural hair does not decay, and lasts
as long as the skull to which it clings
Teeth do not decay easily and remain
sound. Occasionally false teeth will drop
out of position, but retain their lasting
qualities Frequently we see teeth filed
with gold, but strange as it may seem, very
little if any jewelry is found. Whether but
little is permitted to go in with the deceased
or whether it loses its color and mingles In
with the dust and so remains unseen, | dc
not know. Not long ago, however, was
told by gentleman who had just buried
his wife that he had placed her gold watch
In the coffin, and just before it was closed
had wound the watch up. But such cases
are not often heard Of.
Sometimes two persons are buried in
one grave. either as a matter of economy
or sentiment. Say for instance a child
occupies grave, and one of its parents
dies. Then the coffin is taken up, the
grave deepened, and the coffin containing
the adult placed therein first, with that OF
the child on top. Or in case it is the adult
who dies first the coffin is simply sunk
deeper to make room for the smaller one"
And,the courteous grave digger turned to
his work.
ANHnOnna nprTn