The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-14
a VOICE FROM THE DIM PAST.
From the Stone Graves OF o-uistorio
Middle Tennessee to tho Iron
Cagkets of ElmWood,


One of the tests OF civilization, ancient
or modern, is the mode OF burying the
dead. Whether those OF modern days arc
any improvement over the dweller OF
{, 900 wears or more ago is q matter OF
question. The whole OF the Middle Ten
nessee basin Is vast cemetery. The cupi-
tai city stands in the midst OF the graves
OF forgotten race, race concerning
whom no tradition remains, and the echo
even OF whose footsteps nolongcr rcsounds
through the corridors OF Time. That they
were race very FAR advanced in clvlllza-
ton and culture their mode OF burial at
tests they were all deposited in rcceptacles
carefully formed OF stone slabs, which,
where the hand OF man has not desocrated
them, remain perfect until now, exceed
ing by thousands OF years the possible
duration OF tho best iron caskets Of modern
civilization. A few days ago. while visit
ing Nashville, ! inspected number OF
these old stone graves, and then visited
the beautiful rooms OF tho Tenncs-
see Historical Society TO examine
the relics there stored, which had been
gathered from those burial places Alter
examining them, | turned TO The Egyptian
mummy lying calm, contented and peace
iul in his glass case, the product OF civ
ililation much younger than the extinct
one OF our continent | vcntured 10 in
yado his isolation, disturb his slumbers,
and ask him how he felt during his little
space OF rest, after having walked the
heated pnyements OF Thcbcs 5000 years ago.
lie said 81 am n well preserved old gen
tlcman Of the style OF 5000 years j.. c.,
q little worn by time and tinted by BLUSH
ing under tho inqustiye gaLo OF the
modern herd. nm the product OF an ago
when people knew how 10 keep their
friends, aud keep them well aud long. |
believe in staying by my friends. You
want 20 know how | came 10 be here 30
long2 Well, lot me tell YOU am first.
class specimen OF the work Of the funeral
director OF the days when Egypt was in lis
glory, when those OF Us who passed
the scrutiny Of Amentc, the Court
OF the Dead, expected TO rise with
him who slept at Philw, and meet
In the green meadows Of the Elysian fields
with those who drank waes hazel in the
balls OF Odin. II cost some ~, 600 OF your
money 10 liN me, there WIS lesser
price Of some II, 800 Tor lesser people. How
about people that didn't have 81, 800 to
waste? Oh, suppose there are such folks
You livoin modern Memphis, don't your
Go and talk 20 some OF your own funeral
directors. You make me tired"
3d. ON returning 10 Memphis, ] went In
search Of Que OF The very oldest II mean la
business, not In ycars) Of those In the city,
John Walsh. found him at his caskct.
arium, or whatever IL the classic name for
q bereavement emporium, on Second street.
lie welcomed me with that expression OF
and grave happiness peculiar 90
dcacons, sections, undoriakers, ct eos ON
mes.
"Mr. Walsh, the mummy up In Nash
willie got disguised with INC because |
wanted to talk about common, every day
folks. Tell me about your business, there
are certainly many things In your expert
once that would prove readable; YOU are
one Of the oldest aud largest houses iE the
business in the South, aud carry
probably tho largest and best aisort-
mcnt 81 stock, Won have been
through all the cpidcmics, kept youf place
always open aud dispensed many dollar
In unhcralded charity, tell me OF thcsc."
al have seen many changes and have boon
here almost q quarter OF century, but my
and right hand man, g. a.
ANWHANIHNIAH NNAN WNf'N HNANA NWNNE'N NNlANNE ANN
our citizens, and ! will turn you over 81
him." piled Mr.. GustnisOn with qucs-
tons, and he In rcturn filled mo with facts
and stories Of interest Said lac; Tho
business has improved In character and
position very much since ! commenced
work here IN 1854 Then We used mostly
wooden collins, sometimes covered with
cloth, which. with the Innings aud all sim.
liar trimmings, was furnished 10y the FAM
ily who also provided everything aside
from the moro coffin. Now oil the ar.
ranging, everything connected with the
funeral, from the preparation OF the body
TO w. tinal disposition u done by the
funeral director We tako entire
charge, furnish al that Is needed
aud relieve the pcwaycd family
OF nll care, worry ~ annoyance. Tho tint
metallic eases or Baskets wcrc invented
aud made by Almond u. fisho at Utica,
y. y, In 1852. They we're made a. nearly
~ possible Ia the shape Of the body. In
init. ton Of dupcry wrapped around Il
aud brlnycd. The firm with which Mr..
Walsh was connected was the first o.
bring ono here. Tho shape has been
gradually changed until they are ~ used
now. ID requires an expenditure Of about
30, 600 Ia iit out place like this one. We
have five henrsc-, the most expensive ol
which cost 5000. and ono especially iJI
children, az line vehicle VI the kind n.
could be- purchased. and which cost a. 400
/ There aru caskcls costing 500, but We Hcl
| dom use ono ui over slj1. collins cost a.
| high az 500, beside q cedar box with Ill
| yer corners and worth so. but the aver
ago coffin b about $50, probably. tn,
/ expense of an average funeral IL probably
/ 500 In ma American funeral. a. the iam
| ily must provide .hacks OF carriages
/ Tor all who wish 10 ride 10 thl
cemetery. An Irish or German one cost.
lcfS. ~ They manage these things better
| the family only providing conveyance ip
| the immediate kiniolk aud the Othcr
| each paying ior his own conveyance, au,
thus showing their respect lot the dc
eascd.' "liut how about those who Cai
| ill-ailord even the necessary amount, small
ns u ia, not even being able 10 compass th
| cemetery fees, do you not do such work
| quite an amount of what might be callc,
/ charity hurlalsf' Certainly We 10. bu
that portion u our work u an entirely sor
aaic aud distinct branch, and in no wa
connected with the regular bus nos, boinl
under change Of a separate foreman, VIII
las bis own helno aud material, belong
ing wholly 10 that branch, and not used 4
the other work. could rotate many
u0uowlul. hcaH.thniiiug story Of thcs
simple funerals funerals which neyc
como 60 thc notice OF the morn cXpcnsiv
portion Of the establishment This WI
among the first Ia Introduce the process
Unhalming after the war, and Mr. Walls
has ever since made u a worry sucCossly
aud satisfactory portion Of his business.
have, oven Ia the hottest weather, pr,
b pared bodies ui persons weighing over ~