The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-04-03
HOW POPE WAS BURIED.
Details of the PrecautionsTaken
to Prevent COntagfon.
His Remains Wrapped in Sheets,
Saturated in Antiseptics.
All the Contents of the Room satura-
ted With Coal Oil and Burned
Attendants Wash IN Sui
phate Of Copperas.

William Pope, the cOlOred editor Of
the Call" who died yesterday of small
pox in Tennesseetown, was buried last
night
Pope died Of smallpox at an early
hour yesterday morning and was bult-
ed at 1890 %. IN. From the hour Of his
death up to 9 o'clock last night the body
lay on the bed in the same position in
which he died the sole occupant Of
the room being the nurse who attend
ed him during his illness. His wife ana
two children were in the next room, but
g few steps away, but were not permit
ted to look upon the remains Of the
husband and father
About 8 o'clock last night Under
taker knights wagon drove up in front
of the house. and deposited plain
cloth covered coffin on the Sidewalk
outside Of the fenced enclosure a haif
gallon jug of anti-septc ernbalmlng
fluid was also placed beside the coffin
Shortly after the wagon drove away
Sanitary Sergeant Fowler and col
Ored man named Duprees appeared on
the scene Dupree was the man, who
with the colored night guard
Tucker. was to bury the body.
both of the men having successfully
passed through q siege Of smallpox
It took the entire sanitary force sew
era1 hours yesterday to md ln7l
who would aid Tucker in the burial
Many We're found who had passed
through an attack OF the disease but
to risk undertaking the unpleasant
task
Dupree and Tucker went to the coal
house in the rear Of the yard and DOTTED
their usual wearing apparel. replacing
them with worthless garments. They
then carried the coffin into the room
where the remains lay. A large sheet
two yards wide by three yards long,
which Sergeant Fowler brought with
him, was thoroughly saturated with
the antiseptic fluid, as was also the
sheet which covered the body In these
sheets the corpse was completely wrap
ped and placed in the coffin. The COT
fin had been especially carefully pad
ded on the inside, and was as near air
tight as it could possibly be made
Tt was q few minutes before 10 o'clock
when the two men carried the casket
out Of the house and placed it in an
old, unused One-hOrse express wagon.
which had been secured for the pur-
pose and stood waiting in front of tie
enclosure. The horse was old and his
gait was uneven.
A circuitous route was taken. skirt
ing the city on the south, and the
wagon entered the Topeka cemetery by
the east gate. Sexton Jones and an as
sistant were waiting BY the grave,
which they had completed digging but
q short time before, earnestly engaged
IA GCLNEIE L4QLAr ana Q4Q not discover
the wagon until it was Immediately
upon them. When the discovery was
made, however. they quickly left the
grave far behind The fright evidently
had an injurious effect upon Mr. Jones
nerves, as he was arrested shortly af-
forwards in a profoundly intoxicated
condition.
The grave was unusually deep, and
after lowering the coffin in place the
q
depth Of about two feet, leaving the
completion of the work for the sexton.
They then returned to the Pope home.
and the work of removing and burning
all the fixtures and furnishings of the
room in which Pope died was com
menced. Tn e bed, bedding, carpet
furniture. clothing. hric-a-brac and all
other articles which were in the room
at the commencement of his illness /
were piled in a heap on the open
prairie 300 yards from any habitation,
saturated with coal oil and set af1re-
Sergeant Fowler who had remained as
guard of the premises during the burial
superintended the work, and staid until
the old clothes which the men wore
We're consumed. A solution Of sulphate
Of copper was prepared. in which the
men washed their hands and arms be
fore DOMINIC their everyday clothes.
During the illness Of Pope every pre-
caution was taken by City Physician
Mitchell and the sanitary force to /
prevent the spread of the disease. 4
While making visits DR.. Mitchell wore I
an entire rubber suit which was lett
within the fenced enclosure. Vessels /
for coal or water, which were used IN
the house, were never touched by eth I
er of the guards but were filled from /
separate vessels
The thorough quarantine which was /
imposed on the premises when the dis
covery of the disease was made. VIII I
continue to be enforced until the city [
board of health is satisfied that there /
remains absolutely no danger of con +
tagion- The room in which Mr.. Pope I
died viii be fumigated today.
FRIGHTENED THE SEXTON.
A Grave Digger at the Topeka Gene
terry Takes to Drink.
d. J. Jones is the man who digs graves /
at the Topeka cemetery.