Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-01-04
0VERRUN BY THUGS.
Pittsburg's Many Murders Laid at
the Door of Foreign Convicts.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CORONER.
Mcdowell Makes Another Plea for City
Hospital and Morgue.
HOW TO REDUCE THE LIST OF SUICIDES

| five years he has been in Office Every
| point under his jurisdiction is touched
upon and number of recommendations are
made, many of which have been antici-
pated in THE DISPATCH. In the year in
quests were held on S5S persone, while in
1890 the number reached 9S5. They were
as follows: January, y; February, 70;
March, 81; April, 81; May, GA; June, 81;
July, 81; August, So; September, 81, Octo-
Der. 73; November, 6S; December, rs.
There were 23S persons killed on rail-
roads, 90 on traction roads, Sc murders, II
accidental shootings, 10 accidental poison
ings and 81 suicides. There is an increase
of murders and s suicides over the year
before. In the five years of his term the
Coroner has held inquests in 123 murder
cases and 256 suicides The total number
of inquests in that time is 1885 The mur-
ders by years were rs follows: In 1887
there were 10; in 1888, %; in 1889, II; in
1890, %; in 1891. &c. Speaking of this,
Coroner Mcdowell in his report says:
Many Murders by Foreign Thugs.
'I attribute the increase in felonious
deaths to the infnx of pauper immigration,
civilized community than any other source,
my attention being called in several brutal
homicides to the culprit's previous record
as a fugitive from foreign shores for the
same offense. While l recognize the fact
that sufficient statutory law is at hand to
suppress this brutal and terrible onslaught
in our midst, still delay in the trials fur
nish ample and sufficient reason for the
commission of crime after crime, plausible
reasons being offered i'll our courts for delay
in the prompt execution of the statutes.
s'Secondlv-The increased number of
deaths by self-dest4uction, which also leads
the list and exceeds in volume any previous
year, and, in fact is almost triple that of
former wears, a great number of cases mil ght
have been avoided BY the close attention by
the friends of deceased persons in cases of
insanity, etc. Every case should be les
son to those knowing their dear ones to be
in condition of unsound or unbalanced
mind. would further suggest that the
remedy to decrease these sad deaths lies
wholly with their friends and should re-
ceive the serious consideration of the pub
lie generally"
TrespassIng on Railways Misdemeanor.
In regard to the deaths from railways, the
Coroner made the recommendation already
published in THE DISPATCH to the effect
that there should be car inspectors in the
employ of the Government and that tres
passing on railroads be made misdemeanor.
He expects the endorsement of most of the
other coroners of the State in this move.
On this ne says: 81 am glad to note the
Chief Executive of the nation il his message
to Congress, calls special attention to this
growing massacre of those so engaged L
would further recommend and will use my
utmost endeavor by an introduction of bill
in the next Legislature, making it a
misdemeanor to walk or trespass upon the
railroad highway, bridge or trestle, as a
further safeguard to prevent the terrible
loss of life by such cause as
heretofore, which in the majority of cases
leave untold destitution to thewidows and
coroners of this Commonwealth to secure
the passage of such bill, and further hope
for the hearty cooperation of the public in
general"
On street railways the Coroner recon-
mends that, as most of the deaths are of in
firm parsons and children, the remedy lies
with the relatives and parents, who should
not allow old people to go out unaccom-
panied. or permit children to make play
grounds of the streets. Then, continuing,
he says:
81 deem it my duty to again call the at
tention of the public to the necessity OF a
public morgue for the reception of the ui-
known and uncared for remains of persons
killed on railroads, drowned, etc. During
the past year there have been abont 400
bodies of unknown and unclaimed dead
cared for at the present public morgue by
the private enterprise of funeral director.
In no other city is there such a lack of law
in this direction. During my term as
Coroner almost 5000 cases of violent death
has been investigated Fully 1000 of
these were unknown at the time of death
and in my opinion it is the duty of State
and county to provide place where the
unknown dead can be held for identified
tlon. have appeared before the last three
sessions of the Legislature appealing for
morgue and will again take up the subject
at the next session.
Another Demand for City Hospital.
Coroner Mcdowell urges the establish
ment of city hospital. He states that his
recommendations in regard to fire escapes a
wear ago have borne fruit and he has not
been called upon within the past year to in
vestigate such cases as the deaths in the
Dickson building. He urges speedy de-
cision by Councils in regard to overhead
electric wires, which he looks on as serious
menace to the public. He asks for the
establishment of the office of Coroner's ply
sician. Better service at more economical
rates could be obtained than under the pres
ent system Of engaging physician for each
case requiring an autoIs
The Coroner repeats his appeal for fire
boat that could be used as well for the res
cue of drowning persons He calls atten-
ton to the decrease of deaths by
elevator accidents, owing to the
adoption of recommendations made
bv iuries. Some deaths have occurred from
this source which could be avoided in future
by the employment of competent persons at
the elevators. In relation to deaths in
institutions, the Coroner says: II think it
proper to call attention to the decreased
number of deaths in penal. charitable and
public institutions. 1t has been the
duty of the Coroner to investigate several
deaths in such places during the year and
make recommendations deemed necessary
to add to the safety of the inmates. 1 am
glad to say that in every case, the managers
have shown a disposition to carry out these
recommendations. In no case was the
death due to mismanagement or neglect on
the part of the officials in charge
sin conclusion deem it proper to thank
the press of the county for their efforts to
assist in the apprehension of the criminals
in the large number of homicides during
the year; for their wide publication of the
descriptions of the unknown dead by
which vast number have been claimed
and returned to their friends, who would
otherwise have been consigned to the pot
ter's field; and for their hearty endorse
ment of the recommendations OF the Coroner
and jury as to the necessity for the further
safeguards for the protection Of the public