The morning call., 1893-02-26
FUNERALS IN MEXICO.
Undertakers' Bills Lessened by the
Use of Streetcar Hearses.

New YORK Times.
Ten or fifteen years ago. before President
Diaz had succeeded in suppressing brigan-
dage. which had flOurished In Mexico since
the Spanish conquest. it was a common
occurrence for streetears running from the
capital to the numerous villages surround
ing it to be stopped by robbers, the passen-
gers despoiled of their property. and per-
hsps killed If they offered resistance. Con-
sequently the streetcar companies adopted
the plan of running their cars in trains,
each drawn by its own mules, but sticking
close TO the one IN front.
So vigorous was the crusade of the Gov
eminent, however, against the bandits that
travel in the enYlr0ns of the capital has
been for years as safe as ii Is in the streets
of New York. Nevertheless the companies
adhere to their old rule, and the cars still
run in trains, although the ress and the
public have clamored for n change. man
may wait for ear an hour or more and then
four or five Will bear down on him at once.
) Owing To the great expense attaching to
funerals in Mexico the streetcars have come
into general use as means of reducing the
size of the undertaker's bill. Each company
has number of "hearse cars in its stables,
which are nothing more or less than hears es
constructed upon the trucks Of cars.
post at each corner supports black
canopy, which is surmounIed by a cross,
ana under the canopy is "A catafalQue upon
which the coffin rests. Behind the hearse-
car comes passenger car. with ground
glass windows and cushioned seats, for The
use OF the friends OF the deceased.
When hearse car Is wanted the family
notifies the com any whose track runs
nearest to the house of death to be ready
at a certain point and at a certain time. Ac-
cordingly hearse and as many streetcars
following as Will be needed to accommodate
tie mourneTs are sent to the locality indi-
Gated and the coffin is borne by hand to the
spot and placed III the funeral car. BY con-
nectfons with different systems any ceme-
terry In the city or outskirts can be reached.
The journey is made at little less than the
ordinary speed, the mules being driven al
gentle trot.
The cost OF this car depends entirely upon
the amount of style of which the vehicle can
boast. Ii may be hired at almost any price,
from $40 up. One particularly gorgeous
hearse REQUIRES six caparlsoned herses to
pull 1t, each animal being provided with
groom. who walks at his head. The affair
cost $500 for a single turnout, and is as tall
as most two-Story houses.
A funeral is treated with much respect In
Mexico. None so proud who will not lift
his hat to do 1t reverence. The burial is on
the day Of death il possible, and the priest
repairs to the house and celebrates divine
service for the repose of the departed soul
upon an imprOvised altar of flowers
aud candles. This is in full view of
passers-by on the street, who re-
spectfully kneel on the pavement.
Others in the distance see them and also
kneel, so that for two or three blocks up and
down may be seen men. women and chill
dren on the open street in attitudes of
prayer. This, however. more correctly de-
scribes the practice OF the poorer people.
The upper strata of society Is more re-
served in its devotion.
One street in Mexico. near the Nationa al
Palace, called the Gale TsbaQueros, is filed
from end 10 end with coffin makers, whose
wares, in different stages OF completion, are
piled on the curb in grewsome Confusion.
The wayfarer who pauses a moment to look
at the unusual scene is Immediately sur
rounded by the tradesmeD, who inquire, in
yoluble Spanish, II he wants a coffin.
or course he doesn't but that makes no
difference, and he has to run the gantlet
until he gets our of the street, just rs people
here have to do who pass the clothing-,teal-
ers on Baxter street.