The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-09-25
Trip in Black Wagon and Talk With It's
Driver Schooled to Forget Details of
Life Crowded With Stories
of Sorrow.

7 AVE you ever thought OF what
Fl becomes Of the unfortunates who
die without relatives or friends
who are disposed or able to give
them a decent Christian interment; OF
the miserable Outcasts about you. who
pass away with the despairing thought
that, besides the question Of what is 70
become Of that which is immortal in
them, they are creating a problem for
i those they leave behind how to hide
away from the sight Of men the wretched
bodies that have been battered and
trampled upon by the ruthless god IN
the car'-of the disposition Of the
pauper dead7
II is not pleasant subject for medita-
ton, but possibly. If more attention were
paid 70 It, there would be less contri-
buttons each year to missions working
thousands Of miles away from home and
some moiety diverted to this crying need
in the heart OF the most beautiful and
best governed city in the country.
Is there no way by which the losers
In the battle OF life can secure at the
end simple burial, with some clergy
man 10 read over their remains a short
prayer before committing them to the
dust Of which they were created7 Are
there none to lay even one flower on
the naked earth flung upon the coffin?
OF the millions given each year 70
charity. could not a part be set aside Ia
rear a simple headstone 70 the memory
OF those who had no taste Of the pleas
ures Of living?
Government Provides for It.
But" some viii say. the District
government. with the money which We
contribute through taxes, does provide
for burial OF the dead. They have a
coffin and are Inferred IN cemetery set
apart for the purpose. And there is a
record kept Of the names and dates OF
death and burial. Is that not all that
is necessary"
Would that be all you wish for a
member of your own family2 Enough
70 have the body taken up and borne
away by men who. having disagree
able duty 10 perform. wish TO hurry
through II. To be ratified across the
city in the dead wagon" and at the
end hurriedly lowered into a nameIess
grave which has been dug and IS filed
by convict labor. And beside this fresh
grave there yawns from three to six
more waiting for the next 10 die.
In the list OF the unknown dead who
knows how many may have families
somewhere waiting for their return ?
Who. ignorant Of their fate. would have
given them a resting-place in some
cemetery where there are trees and
flowers and grass. Which sizes I'D TO
an intelligent conception Of tho meaning
Of Gods acre" And not left them to
sleep their long sleep in the bare stretch
OF ground without adornment or soften
ing association that comprises the pot
fer's field.
Burial of INDECENT Dead.
The burial OF the pauper dead OF the
District is under the management OF the
Washington Asylum. There are two
general courses OF procedure by which
the assistance Of the city authorities is
secured. The city provides doctors for
the poor. When a death occurs whore |
such a doctor has been in attendance
he issues a certificate Of death and in |
dorses 81: Family unable 10 bury" II /
there has been no physician the coroner |
issues the certificate. IN either case. !