The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-09-05
DEAD LIE UNBURIED.
Peculiar Result of Disagree
ment Among Officials.
THE CORONER MAKES EXAMPLES
Baby Hansen Can't Be Buried and
Gates Remains Can't Be sent Away
Because of the Quarrel.

The trouble between the coroner and
county commissioners over the fees that
shall be allowed the coroner IS fast COM
ing 10 a climax. as the coroner las re-
fused TO sign two death certificates, and
consequently Health Officer Palmer re-
fuses 10 issue burial or removal permits,
SO that the bodies may lie unburied an in
definite time. What VIII be the outcome
OF the matter IS doubtful. as the coroner
is strongly Of the opinion that the county
commissioners cannot force h.-a 10 sign
a death certificate. and on the other hand
the commissioners are just as certain the
coroner cannot make them allow him SO
for signing a death certificate in cases
where there IS no mystery or doubt as TO
cause OF death.
Tor ten days the body of Baby Hansen
has been lying in the undertaker's estah-
lSGment awaiting burial. The c.rcum-
stances OF the child's death, which &C.
Cured August -. viii be recalled by the
simple statement that the parents awoke
Monday morning and found their little
baby dead in its cradle. No physician had
been called IN, because no danger what
ever was appreheneed. The body was
sent TO the un6ertakers. where il has
lain ever since. If the undertaken should
bury the body without a permit from the
health officer he would subject himself 10
a fine OF so. Health officer Palmer states
t14N MS reason 1oE not issuing d DlF4al
permit Is that he has received no ply
sician's certificate OF the chilG's death.
Coroner Askam has not held an inquest.
as the county commissioners might not
allow his fees. and he refuses TO issue a
certificate. The result is horrible ex-
ample OF the effects Of a quarrel between
officials. The body has not been en-
balned, but is temporarily preserved from
decay. Health Officer Palmer said yes
terday evening that he had resolved that
the matter should be attended TO today.
and r. II. Butterworth stated last night
that the burial would take place today.
George Gates committed suicide 10 get
out OF trouble. and now Ills body is the
source of trouble in much the same way.
A Mr.. Randall went 10 the county COM
missioners vest lay and asked them for
an order instructlng Coroner Askam to
sign a death certificate. According TO Mr..
Randall the coroner had refused 10 sign
the certificate unless the county commls-
sioners gave an order.
Commissioner Heaton said ii was not
the business Of the commissioners TO give
the coroner orders as TO what he should
do The other members concurred with
Mr.. Heatcn. Mr.. Randall said he wanted
10 send the body To Marysville. Cal. for
interrnent, but as he could not get a
death certificate the city would not allow
him to send the body away. Commits
sioners Heaton and Gasch do not like the
action Of Coroner Askam in refusing to
sign a death certificate in a case Ike
Gates. where the cause OF death was
plain TO every one. At the coroner's Office
last night Deputy Teater said he was sure
the death certificate had not been signed
because the coroner had not decided about
holding an autopsy.