page_title: Bummer and Lazarus
section_title: Death of Lazarus
hierarchical_section_title: Bummer and Lazarus / Biography / Death of Lazarus
caption_attribution_description: English: Joshua A. Norton (1819-1880), self-proclaimed Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico. Also showing Frederick Coombs aka George Washington II. (digging) It is cartoonist Edward Jump's famous picture, from the Wasp. It was published on the occasion of Lazarus's death (thus either in 1863 or 1880, most likely the former). Further, Edward Jump, the cartoonist, "blew his brains out in a fit of drunken despair" on April 20, 1883 [1].
context_page_description: Bummer and Lazarus were two stray dogs that roamed the streets of San Francisco, California, United States, in the early 1860s. Recognized for their unique bond and their prodigious rat-killing ability, they became a fixture of city newspapers, were exempted from local ordinances, and immortalized in cartoons.
context_section_description: Lazarus was killed in October 1863. In the San Francisco Kaleidoscope, Dickson claimed he was kicked by the horse of one of the city's fire engines, but contemporary accounts say he was poisoned by being given meat laced with "ratbane" after biting a boy. San Franciscans put up a $50 reward for the capture of the poisoner. A wit suggested that Lazarus be buried in a place of honor alongside other great men of the city. Jump produced a cartoon of his "Funeral" with Norton as the Pope performing the ceremony and Freddy Coombs—another San Francisco eccentric who claimed to be the reincarnation of George Washington—digging the grave. Notable San Franciscans formed the cortège and Bummer looked on mournfully. This may have led to the rumor that large numbers of San Franciscans turned out for Lazarus' funeral. The dog was not buried though, but stuffed by a taxidermist and displayed behind the bar in Martin's saloon. (According to Dickson, Martin paid the taxidermist $50 to turn the dog over—even though its remains had already been claimed by the city council.) The Daily Evening Bulletin featured a long obituary entitled "Lament for Lazarus" in which they praised the virtues of both dogs and recounted their various adventures together. 
caption: Lazarus' funeral as depicted by Jump. At the rear of the cortege is the dogcatcher in his cart. "Emperor" Norton presides over the service.
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