The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-08-30
A NEW WAY TO KEEP 1EE DEAD.
A System Of Iausoleums from which
you can Draw the Balance Of Ances-
tors Left to your Credit when you
Feel 50 Disposed.

A System of IauSOleuuS from Which
you can Draw the Balance Of Ances-
tors Left to your Credit when you
Feel 50 Disposed.
From the Netu York Herald.
Mr.. John G. Meyers claims to have solved
the problem how to dispose of the dead
without violence to the tender feelings of
the living and in manner that will pro-
vide absolute protection against premature
interment.
Fancy large building built on the safe
deposit plan, with long corridors, on either
SIDE of which will be a series of vaults,
like huge postoff1ce boxes, and in which
are to be placed, duly labelled, all that
remains mortal of your friends and kindred
The physical aspect of the average Anne
rican citizen will thus be handed down to
poSterity much after the fashion of Egyp-
tian mummies. Under the present plan,
however, the bodies are to be subjected to
sort of dry process" that is said to be far
superior to the ancient method.
The ''mausoleum safe deposit plan" is the
name of the proposed scheme. Among its
alleged advantages are these: That 1t will
cost less than other methods; that it will
provide absolute protection against bodies
being stolen; that it will provide place
for the last funeral rites where friends can
eldlIo Win iuCONolO1 uCdtS Az tIlO SONVi poo
weather without being exposed to the ele-
ments; that it will provide for the preser-
Walton and care of the remains for all time,
and that it will meet the sanitary demand
that the dead shall not become a source of
danger to the living, and the medico-legal
demand that the evidence of crime shall
not be destroy ed.
A PALACE OF THE DEAD.
The mausoleum method, as invented and
patented by John G.. Meyers, will be used
in building wholly above ground, attract
i've from an architectural standpoint,
absolutely fireproof, and as durable as
modern science can make it. Mausoleums
may contain anywhere from 1000 to 10000
vaults, may be from three to SIX stories
high, and so constructed as to be indefinitely
extended. Elevators will be used the same
as in other buildings.
1t is designed that the material, the very
best concrete, shall be prepared on the spot,
poured into place while soft and rammed
solid three inches at a time, SO that the en-
tire building with its thick, heavy walls
and thousands of vaults will go up together
like an immense casting, capable of with
standing centuries of wear and tear, and
only to be destroyed by dynamite.
The inventor thus describes the interior
of such building: The spaces, or vaults,
| are constructed of the proper size to re-
CSlNb SUCH d CdShSU anu are III
| tiers of six, the opening facing the hallway,
except when otherwise constructed in fam
| ily compartments. Each opening is pro-
vided with two shutters; the inner one
| being of plate glass; will be Theoretically
sealed Immediately upon the space being
used; the outer or front shutter of marbl g
! will not be fastened in place for several
days unless otherwise directed by the
| owner.
"a part of the mausoleum will be di-
vided and arranged SO that families may
secure a series of spaces, with small rooms,
in separate and distinct compartments,
which may be furnished and beautified ac-
cording to the taste of the owner A parlor
| and retiring room, to which friends can at
| all times have free access; is provided. The
family compartments will be finished in
polished marble and stone Of warm colors
and artistic designs, or otherwise to suit
purchasers"
| HOW THE REMAINS ARE TO BE DEsICCATED
But this is not the full meaning of the
invention. The idea is. in brief, system
of ventilation and means of disposing of all
| gaseous and fluid products. The spaces or
| vaults are constructed with conduits so
| arranged as to bring fresh, dry air into
them and conduct it through the casket
| downward by forced draft to a central
| furnace in the basement.
All gases anu uuIuS arc UluS UdK6Q from
| bodies and are consumed, entirely prevent
| ing odor or the escape into the atmosphere
of any noxious gases whatever. Before
| placing the remains in the vault the upper
| half of the casket is removed, the lower
| half being so constructed as to permit per-
| feet circulation of air around every part of
the body. Remains so treated will, it is
! claimed, in a short time become naturally
| preserved or desiccated and SO remain. be-
| ing absolutely free from any offensive odor
or sanitary objection.
Provision is made for detecting premature
iuterment by an electrical apparatus, SO ar
ranged that the slightest movement in the
casizet will start an alarm, and an indicator
| will direct the attention of the Waterman
ON guard to that particular space, while the
| fresh air is always such as to assist respira-
| ton.
The prospectus of the scheme goes into
numerous and minute details, showing that
| the inventor has well considered his subject.
just how Mr.. Meyers conceived this elab-
crate scheme it would be hard to say Pos
silly he had been reading "Sne," and had
b come impressed by Mr.. Haggards realis-
| tic picture of the caves of the dead in the
ruined city.
| PRACTICAL DEMONSTRATION
| In order practically to demonstrate its
| utility in its chief features a series of ex-