Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-05

Lieut. John Kelly expressed it at the time
In addition to the smallness of the space,
there were no facilities for preventing the
odors from the morgue permeattng the
neighborhood, and the residents of that
locality made frequent protests to the Com
mtssioners against the continuance OF
dead house there.
Morguemaster Schoneberger, with the as
sistance of the police reporters of the several
local newspapers, called attention through
the press to the terrible conditions until at
last the matter was taken up by the Dis
trict authorities in earnest, and an appro-
priation secured from Congress for the
erection of the present up-to-date morgae
building.
This structure was first occupied in July,
1904 1t has ten vaults or cases in wnlch
the remains of the dead are kept on Ice
until disposed of by action of the coroner
jury, by direction of DR.. ]. Ramsey hewitt,
the coroner, or according to law, which
means that the unclaimed dead, after being
retained a certain period, are turned over
TO medical colleges of the District for scien-
tific purposes
Double the Capacity.
While there are but ten vaults or cases
in winch bodies are kept at the morgue,
the institution in an emergency can, 1t Is
said, accommodate double that number OF
corpses. The slabs on which the bodies are
kept are made of wood, and the Ice which
preserves the remains Is kept above this
slab and does not come in contact with the
remains, each little vault being sort OF
cold storage chamber. In the room are
wardrobes in which are hung the clothing
of the dead These wardrobes are ventflat-
ed top and bottom. The apartment used Tor
the retention of the human remains Is sit
uated Immediately adjoining the morgue
wharf and above the river. Adjoining IL
is the inquest room, in which the coroner
juries hold inquests in cases of homicides
and those of certain accidental deaths,
n fine of the building the
first floor is the Office which is occupied
Jointly by Coroner hewitt and Morguemas-
ter Schoneberger. Just inside the main en-
trance door is a small prison cell heaVliy
barred, in which those charged with MUIR
der or responsibility for fatal accidents
are held until the verdict of the coroner
jury is rendered. This verdict either re.
leases the prisoner from custody or else
sends him to jail to await the action OF
the grand jury.
Autopsy Room and Museum
On the upper floor of the building is the
autopsy room, which has been pronounced
by physicians to be one OF the best In this
country. 1t Is in this apartment that Dep
uty Coroner Glazebrook, and sometimes
Coroner hewitt, perform autopsies on the
remains of those who have been brought
to the morgue. There is also upstairs
small anatomical museum, which has been
arranged by Morguemaster Schoneberger,
and contains many objects of interest to
anatomists and those concerned in medical
science One Of the curiosities in the mu-
scum is baby mummy the child having
been included among the participants in
tragedy several years ago. The process
by which the infant was mumm.Tfled was
originated by Mr.. Schoneberger. Other
rooms on the upper floor are used for sleep
ing purposes of the morgue attaches Mr..
Schoneberger claims that he is the origi-
nator OF the morgue record book. For a
long time prior TO the erection of the new
morgue the only records of accidents, MUIR
ders suicides and similar occurrences were
contained IN the incidental report made at
the several police stations. The ~ystem OF
record keeping now in use at the morgue
is said to be an excellent one.
Crimes and Casualties.
Following the entries made by Mr.. Schone-
berger on his simple little morgue book,
morgue record book now In use was writ
ten thereon by DR.. Woodward. health off,
Ger OF the district at a time when he was
coroner. Il is dated July 1, 1894. and this
notation follows the name: Found In
Capitol Park. bottle Of whisky by his side.
heat stroke" This book in its quaint and
simple way tells long history of the
crimes and casualties Of the District OF
Columbia It Is frequently referred to,
and 10 considered in police circles to be
book OF valuable reference.
Another innovation 10 the morgue wagon,
which was also inaugurated through the
efforts OF Coroner hewitt and AorEuernas-
ter Echoneherger. Prior to the adoption
Of this means Of transportation for the