The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1890-12-06
NEW BURIAL SCHEME.
Our Bodies to Be Dried and Put
Away in Vaults.
Desiccation the Latest Fad of Enthusiasts
Some Respects In Which 1t Excels
Cremation = Provisions Against
Premature kterment.

is to be broken, it is said by the New
York Sun, in the spring. The idea
underlying the new mausoleum is based
on the fact that current of dry air will
preserve body from decomposition,
and change it into condition resenl-
bling life, in which it will remain for an
indefinite time. This process is applied
by nature to the unfortunate traveller
and his beast who succumb upon the
great deserts. In the Smithsonian In
stitution are many bodies thus desiccated
by nature which have been brought
from the battlefelds of Mexico and
Peru, from Southern plains and Indian
districts Of the far West. The ancient
Colchians and Tartars suspended their
dead from branches of trees to be dried
by air and sun. The Peruvians first
dried their deceased friends and
then buried them in sitting posture.
Savages of South Australia place the
dead body on the top of the hut till per-
fectly dried, when it is bandaged and
hidden among the branches of the trees.
The body retains its form in the proc
ess, and the skin, though it becomes
hard and dry like leather, remains
white, while the face, though more or
less emaciated, remains life-like and
recognizable. ),
Modern science and skill are to be ap-
piled to the original preservative power
OF the atmosphere. Experiments have
recently been made by specialists, first
on animals and later on human bodies.
In the course OF one recent experiment
conducted by sanitary engineer in
Washington, in nine weeks pig was
reduced in weight from % to ~ pounds,
and remained just as plump and round
as in life. In laboratory in this city
the body of man weighing 164 pounds
was subjected to the process in 1883, and
the effect was marvellous. -
The arrangement for the interment of
desiccated bodies in the new mausoleum
will be similar to that of the drawers in
safety deposit vaults, while the interior
plan of the building will resemble that
OF a well-appointed public library, with
main corridor and diverging halls lead
ing to different sections. These draw
ers or sepnlchers will be of solid con-
crete four inches thick without joint or
seam, OF certain sizes, and arranged in
tiers of six on either side OF the hall
way. The opening into each sepulcner
will be provided with two doors, the
inner one OF glass Theoretically sealed
as soon as occupied through which the
body may be viewed by those holding
the keys; the outside Of iron, wrought
gold, silver or bronze, decorated and
adorned according to the ability and
taste OF relatives.
For family use there will be separate
and distinct compartments CT various
sizes, with sets or suites of sepulchers
adorned as desired and having but sim
gle entrance.
The space that holds the casket will
be a cell of concrete permitting neither
the escape nor admission of moisture.
In the erection of the walls hollow pipes
or cOnduits will be formed over molds,
SO that no destructible material, as iron
or metal, will be needed. y
Through these conduits will be made
to pour into the nermetically-se Sc
pulchers currents of dry air, which,
passing rapidly and repeatedly around
the body, will extract therefrom every
trace Of moisture, vapor or fluid and con-
vey 1t to huge furnace, where, without
possibility of escape, all noxious matter
will be destroyed. Gradually the body
becomes hard, smooth and dry, with lit
tie or no change OF appearance, and once
done preservation Is secured forever. ~
Provision is to be made against pre-
mature interment by the adjustment Of
electrical appliances to The body, 50
that the faintest motion will be instan-
taneously conveyed to the guard by
means Of alarm signals.
The mausoleum will occupy compara-
lively little space. A building covering
100 feet square could inclose 10000
sepulchers, and one that occupied an
acre would provide as many resting
places as cemetery Of thirty-five acres.
1t is intended that ample and suitable
grounds shall surround the building,
and that adornment inside and out will
be made as perfect as taste and wealth
can dictate. af~ s1ss'
The sepulchers will be numbered and
registered as lots in a cemetery, and
fund will be provided for the perpetual
care of all treasures Of art or nature
IudU may Uc pTONiucu' NAN- -
interment will be kept in the mauso-
lean. A chapel will be provided for the
discharge Of the last rites.
The cost Of single esepulchers will prob
ably range from $40 to 5000, while family
compartments will vary from 5000 to
$40, 1000. Burial lots in cities range from
$4OO to 5000 for space to allow six
graves, to which must be added the cost
Of headstone, monument, statuary, in
closure and care. -..., -r.,,
Concrete Is the material of which it is
proposed to build the mausoleum. Re-
search, ancient and modern, establish
the quality Of this material for impene-
trabAity, insolubility and consequent
permanence, even an earthquake being
powerless to destroy buildings made Of
1t. This substance will no doubt be
faced by ornamental materials.
Quill Toothpick MIL.
VuiH toothpicks come from France.
Inc largest factory in the world is near
faris, where there is an annual product
OF 2O.000,000 quills. The factory was
started to make quill pens, but when
these went out Of general use it was con-
verted into a toothpick mill.