The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-10-27
MIR. PALMER WRITES.
Tells How Body of Charles B. Hardy
Was Prepared.

George B. Palmer, the undertaken who
had charge of the preparation OF the
body of the late Charles b. HARDY, VINO
committed suicide by jumping IN Iront
of a train, and concerning whose death
the Kingman County Journal published
charges which were reproduced IN sat
urday's State Journal, writes a reply 70
these charges. Mr.. Palmer says that the
asylum authorities had nothing 10 40
with the preparation of the body Tor
burial, but that he did everything he
further says that the body was furnlsned
with a fine oak casket, trimmed with
silver-plated handles. He also says that
the body was cut up into almost count
less pieces, and that it was prepared
for burial in the best manner that coulu
possibly be done. Mr.. Palmer'S cOmmunl-
cation is as follows:
ITO the Editor of the State Journal:
please allow me space to correct
statements made in your Saturday
Journal in regard to the death of Chas
B. Hardy. which conveyed the impress
sion that the body was dumped into a
box and sent home without any care ana
attention whatever, and also that the
asylum authorities were to blame,
First, I will say that I alone am re-
sponsible, and no other person. The
asylum authorities had no word in the
matter whatever, and not the slightest
blame should be attached thereto.
"On October Is Chas. B. Hardy threw
himself in front of an east-bound c. R.
l. g. P. train, and the result was a mu
tilated body. Mr. Morton Albaugh tele-
phoned me to come to his office to make
arrangements for me to go to the asylum
and bring in the remains to my office,
and prepare the same for that evening s
shipment. l telephoned my assistant at
once to go to the asylum for the body,
which he did. and the same was de-
livered to him Immediately after the in
quest by the coroner arriving at my
office at 3 o'clock p. m.
THE remains, which were in fifty or
$50 pounds. were then removed to the
wash table and there thoroughly satu-
rated with a 20 per cent. solution of
arsenic, then placed in a sheet The
casket, which was of oak covered with
black cloth, lined with a cashmere
lining and a nice bed. The outside was
trimmed with six 14-inch silver plated
textile handles. Then two inches of
clean pine sawdust was placed in the
bottom of the casket. Then the sheet
with remains were placed in the casket,
head on pillow. Then two quarts of
pure formaldehyde was used to saturat tie
the whole of the remaining parts of the
body. The sheet was then folded over
the remains. Clean pine Sawdust was
then placed on top of sheet. The cash
mere lining was then folded, covering
the whole complete from sight.
II will guarantee every part of the
body would keep any reasonable length
Of time, as the formaldehyde would dry
all parts completely. The body should
not have been seen by any one but the
undertaken in charge and one friend for
identification if necessary.
THE body was the most mangled l
ever saw. It was a horrible sight, and
do not understand how the doctors
and others would go and see the remains
and then make such statements for pub
EcatiOn.
Il will say that with two others
did in the above case my whole duty
the best for all concerned, and in accord
ance with the law governing the ship
ment of bodies. Respectfully
&c. b. PALMER"