of corporations refusing to allow such incorporation, the society not
wishing to organize under the general corporation law, whereby the par
value of shares must be $100, and all stock subscribed for and paid in
before it could commence operations, applied for a special charter,
embodying its views and needs. But the time for the introduction of new
business having expired, it was obliged to wait till the next session of
the legislature. Early in the session it presented a bill for
incorporation, which took the form of a general law, authorizing the
formation of cremation societies.
It was the intention of the society to at once incorporate under this
act, place the stock of the society on sale, and as soon as possible
erect a crematorium in the near vicinity of Boston. The bill passed both
houses of the legislature, but was amended, so that now the par value of
shares must be either $10 or $50, and, as under the general corporation
law of Massachusetts, the whole capital stock must be subscribed and
paid in before the society can commence operations.
The capital stock of the society is $25,000, distributed into 2500
shares, each of the par value of $10. At present the society numbers
about 75 members. The officers are: John Storer Cobb, president; Charles
A. Holt, treasurer; and Sidney P. Brown, secretary.
Inspired with the necessity of a better method of disposing of the dead,
Dr. John O. Marble began the agitation of the question in Worcester,
Mass., in November, 1884, by reading a paper upon the subject before 25
of the most prominent physicians of that city. Much to his surprise and
pleasure they heartily approved of the plan of cremation as a substitute
for the present time-honored, but, to the living, dangerous custom of
earth-burial. At the solicitation of one of them, who is the
enthusiastic president of the Worcester Natural History Society, the
doctor delivered a lecture upon the subject of the “Disposal of the
Dead, Cremation Preferred,” before a large audience in the hall of the
society on the evening of Dec. 4, 1884.
The people of the conservative city of Worcester seemed to appreciate
the sanitary necessity, and began intelligent inquiries, which Dr.
Marble answered in eight communications in the _Worcester Daily Spy_.
The movement was favored by almost all of the best citizens, and, after
considerable hard work on Dr. Marble’s part, took shape in the
organization of a society. The constitution was signed by, and the
society is composed of, persons of the very highest position, socially,
professionally, and in every respect. The society is not yet quite ready
for the erection of a crematory, but it is expected that such result
will follow in the near future.
The Cincinnati Cremation Company was incorporated on Oct. 18, 1884; it
was organized two or three weeks later. The capital stock of the company
is $25,000, divided into 1000 shares of the par value of $25 per share.
No member is permitted to own more than 20 shares. In the spring of
1885, the company purchased a site for the erection of Cincinnati’s
crematorium. The site is on a commanding eminence on Dixmyth Avenue,
west of Burnet Woods and within a quarter of a mile of the terminus of
the Clifton line of cars. The property is within city limits; it is
easily accessible, being on a fine drive; its elevation will give the
crematorium a distinguished prominence, while the view to the west and
south is extended and beautiful. The front measurement of the site is
somewhat over 300 feet, with a depth of 350, comprising an area of more
than two and a half acres, at a cost of $4000. The basement of the
Cincinnati crematorium has been finished; the furnace is being erected,
and will be completed in a short time. At present, the company counts
325 stockholders, with quite a representation of ladies. About $15,000
of the stock has been subscribed for.
A crematory on Sixth Avenue, in the centre of the city of Pittsburg,
Pa., was completed in January, 1886. The furnace (constructed by Dr. M.
L. Davis) is heated by natural gas to at least 2200 degrees. The
apparatus is owned by Mr. H. Samson, the ex-president of the National
Funeral Directors’ Association, who is a wide-awake man, and thinks the
funeral directors (_vulgo_, undertakers) are very shortsighted to allow
cremation associations to be organized; they should be willing and
prepared to take care of and make such disposition of the dead as the
people want. The use of natural gas enables Mr. Samson to have his
furnace in the basement of his business house. The first cremation in
this apparatus took place on March 17, 1886, when the remains of Milton
Fisher, of Columbus, O., were incinerated. The body was placed in the
retort at 7.30 o’clock, and in less than an hour was reduced to ashes.
This was the first time that natural gas had ever been used for
cremating purposes; and its advantages were apparent at once.
The National Cremation Association, which was organized and incorporated
Feb. 10, 1883, has so far met with success, as its object to make
propaganda for the principle of cremation and keep its ideas before the
eyes of the public has been fully sustained, as the discussions and
arguments pro and contra in the press of Philadelphia, Pa., where it is
located, will prove. According to its constitution, this association
agrees to cremate the remains of any active or passive member in good
standing at death, when so desired. The expenses of the funeral and
cremation are carried by the association.
Since the incorporation of this society, one of its members died, May
10, 1884, and was, in accordance with his wishes, cremated. The body was
transferred to Washington, Pa., on the 13th of the same month, and there
reduced to ashes, which were returned to the care of the family of the
deceased.
Since the incorporation of the association, the number of members has
risen from six to 59 and will soon, no doubt, be a full hundred.
It is now the main object of this association to secure the erection of
a crematory in or near Philadelphia. For this purpose subscriptions were
received and stock issued. As soon as the necessary capital is obtained
the crematorium will be built.
In the medical school of the University of Pennsylvania the bodies which
have been utilized for dissection are burned instead of being buried as
heretofore.
The Lancaster Cremation and Funeral Reform Society at Lancaster, Pa.,
originated in this wise: Early in 1884, a few gentlemen interested in
the matter agitated it among their friends; and a list of members of a
proposed society was made. On May 27, these subscribers met at the
office of Messrs. Steinmann and Hensel (both of whom were members), and,
calling D. G. Eshleman to the chair, a temporary organization was
effected. A committee was appointed to report on a proper location for a
crematory, also a committee on charter and by-laws. These committees
reported June 6, when the amount of stock was fixed at $5000 in $10
shares.
At the third meeting, June 13, a permanent organization was effected by
electing a board of directors.
The board organized immediately upon the adjournment of the
stockholders’ meeting, and chose D. G. Eshleman, Esq., president; Dr.
Henry Carpenter and Rev. J. Max Hark, vice-presidents; J. D. Pyott,
clerk; H. C. Brubaker, Esq., corresponding secretary; Geo. K. Reed,
treasurer. Mr. Middleton was placed on the committee on ground and
building in place of Mr. Hensel, whose engagements prevented his acting;
and this committee was instructed to report June 20, at which time the
site now occupied was selected and the committee ordered to purchase. On
the 30th of June, the stock subscribed was called in, and building
proposals asked for. On the 11th of July, bids were opened; on the 14th
of July, the contract was awarded to Mr. Dinkelberg, and the building
was immediately begun. On the 10th of September, the building was
completed; and the retort builders having failed to come to time, the
committee were authorized to construct one on plans of their own. This
was done; for Dr. M. L. Davis devised and built a furnace from his own
designs, and on Nov. 1 the board met in the crematory building, and
provided for the improvement of the grounds.
On the night of Nov. 4 or the morning of the 5th, the furnace went to
white heat, despite predictions of experts to the contrary, and
justified the plan of construction. On the evening of the 17th of
November, the body of a sheep, two ox-heads, and several sheep-heads
were enclosed in a wooden box and placed in the retort at red heat, the
company present being unwilling to remain later. Some smoke, of course,
was made; but when white heat was reached, the cremation was perfect, as
specimens of the residuum amply proved.
The crematorium was dedicated on Tuesday, Nov. 25, at 2 P.M., when the
body of a lady from Jersey City, N. J., was incinerated. It must be
remembered that this society was organized on May 27, 1884, purchased
land, erected its building, and had its first cremation within the
period of six months, while several other societies organized much
earlier had not yet advanced much beyond laying the corner-stones of
their respective buildings.
The dedication exercises were opened by a prayer by Rev. Geo. Gaul, of
St. Paul’s Methodist Church. Thereupon, the building was delivered to
the society by Dr. M. L. Davis, chairman of the building committee, who
discussed the subject of cremation from a sanitary standpoint.
The next oration, preceding the benediction, was delivered by Rev. J.
Max Hark, pastor of the Moravian church, one of the vice-presidents of
the society, who treated the subject from a theological standpoint.
The benediction over, the participants in the dedication ceremony
dispersed. The incineration that took place on this occasion was
entirely satisfactory.
The whole ceremony was solemn, and produced a profound impression upon
the intelligent and thoughtful audience, among whom were many guests
from other cities.
The rules of the Lancaster Cremation and Funeral Reform Association are
very stringent and well calculated to meet all demands. All applicants
for cremation of bodies must present a certificate of death, signed by
the physician attending during the last illness, whose standing as a
reputable practitioner must be attested by a magistrate or notary
public. When brought from a distance, official board of health papers
are also required. The rules request that the body should be dressed in
a shroud of cotton or linen fabric; all metallic substances being
avoided—hooks, buttons with metallic eyes, etc. The body should be
enclosed in a plain wooden coffin; or, what is preferable, in a coffin
made of sheet zinc. The cost of incineration is $25.
The condition, financial and otherwise, of the society is excellent. Mr.
H. C. Brubaker started the subscription shortly after Dr. Gross’s
demise, and succeeded in getting some 50 subscribers before
organization. The society now numbers about 80 members, of the best
thinking element in the community, male and female. So far, 51
cremations have taken place in the Lancaster furnace, every one of them
to the entire satisfaction of all concerned.
Recently a second furnace was put in the Lancaster crematorium; and some
important improvements were made by Dr. Davis in the process which was
invented by him.
A single feature of the earlier incinerations seemed out of harmony with
the character of the occasion—it was necessary to force the receptacle
with the body into the retort by direct pressure. This was sought to be
remedied by drawing it in by a wire cable; but the latter proving
unreliable, the body, enclosed in the alum-saturated cloth, is now laid
in a cradle consisting of a steel frame covered with asbestos and
fire-clay, which is suspended from an extension arm, operated by a
quick-thread screw extending lengthwise of the catafalque, by which the
cradle is placed silently in the retort and the arm withdrawn. The
incineration being completed, by reversing the process the cradle with
the ashes is extracted intact and allowed to cool.
It is to be remembered that these Lancaster people had almost everything
to learn. Dr. Le Moyne, of glorious memory, had devoted his labors to
teaching the principle by precept and example; his method was
necessarily primitive and crude. Lancaster added the required art, gave
the principle an adequate process, and sent forth the body of truth
suitably clothed. The record of their first cremation was published,
with all sorts of comment, in every live paper of the land; and the
impetus then given to the cause of reform, while it cannot be fully
estimated, is plainly seen in the wonderful development of correct
thought and sentiment on this subject which immediately followed.
In the list of persons cremated at Lancaster, the German element largely
predominates; and practically the whole list is made up of residents in
cities—showing that the centers of culture are also the nuclei of
advanced thought on this question. Nor is this crematorium altogether
without honor in its own country. One of the prominent members of the
society (George Brubaker, Esq.) dying since its establishment, was
incinerated; also Ex-Mayor Christian Kieffer, of Lancaster, and both
parents of Mrs. H. C. Brubaker. The society is extremely fortunate in
its personnel; from its president, a leading lawyer, its
vice-presidents, in the front rank of medicine and divinity; its
directors, active men in all walks of life, the high school principal,
leading journalists, bankers, managers of large business enterprises,
the medical profession largely represented in the rank and file of its
80 members—its position in the community is assured, and its radical
doctrine finds the most solid of “backing.”
The cremation society of New Orleans, La., was organized and
incorporated on the 14th of February, 1884. It was established mainly
through the efforts of Dr. Felix Formento. It was founded to ascertain
and demonstrate, by scientific research and investigation, the
importance and necessity of incineration to society as the best method
of disposing of the bodies of the dead; and in pursuance thereof to make
known to the people the dangers to public health resulting from the mode
of burial generally practiced all over the country, more particularly
the special dangers to a city like New Orleans, from the peculiar method
followed there; to demonstrate the advantage of cremation over all other
modes of disposing of the dead, in a sanitary, social, and economical
point of view; to remove all prejudices which there may be against the
introduction of cremation in the Crescent City, and to prove that
cremation can be practiced without in the least wounding religious
sentiment or susceptibilities; to obtain information in regard to the
different methods; to obtain, if necessary, proper legislative
enactments on the subject of incineration, providing for the disposal of
bodies, especially those whose death resulted from contagious or
infectious diseases, and especially in small-pox hospitals and other
public institutions; to procure necessary funds for the erection of a
crematorium in the city of New Orleans, and for its management under
proper sanitary regulations.
I regret to say that this society is no longer in existence. It went to
the dogs on account of the apathy of the people of New Orleans. It
started out with good prospects of success; a square of ground was even
bought near the city, and it was thought that a furnace for the burning
of the dead would be built without delay. But gradually the interest in
cremation lessened in the Crescent City and, in consequence, the society
went into liquidation.
At St. Louis, Mo., the propaganda in favor of cremation was carried on
for years by Dr. Luedeking, who died, and was reduced to ashes in the
Lancaster crematory. Thereupon the robes of an agitator for incineration
were donned by Mr. Oscar Hoefer of the _Westliche Post_, an influential
German journal, and Rev. Jonas, both of whom kept the interest in
cremation alive by delivering lectures on the subject and by
contributing articles to the daily press.
The Missouri Crematory Association was organized in the early part of
1885 for the purpose of providing and establishing in the city of St.
Louis, a suitable building and other facilities for the cremation of the
dead, and for the proper preservation of their ashes in a columbarium.
The capital stock is $25,000, divided into 1000 shares of $25 each, ten
per cent of which amount must be deposited by the subscriber immediately
upon signing. Non-residents may become members of the association, and,
for the purpose of cremation, the bodies not only from this city or
state, but also from other states and locations may be received.
From the beginning the association encountered a great deal of
opposition. This was so strong that once the advisability of disbanding
was seriously discussed. All agreeing, however, that it was too great a
pity to abandon a project, for the execution of which there was enough
capital on hand, concluded not to disorganize and to make more strenuous
efforts to overcome the prejudice prevailing in the city council and
among the citizens.
This proved to be temporary, for a bill, prohibiting cremation within
the city limits, was repealed recently by both houses of the city
council of St. Louis, and only awaits the signature of the mayor to
become a law.
The association bought no less than three lots. With the last one, not
very desirable in location, they are at length gaining success. When
they had bought the first lot, the building commission issued a building
permit to them, for which they had to pay $5. After this, however, the
municipal council enacted a law forbidding them to make use of that very
permit, by prohibiting cremation. And the $5 were never returned to
them.
The association is in a prosperous condition, and will proceed at once,
as soon as the present obstacles are removed, to carry out the objects
for which it was founded.
The First Cremation Society of San Francisco was incorporated on the
17th of February, 1882, with 53 members. The directors of this society
are: E. D. Wheeler, president; S. Heydenfelt, Jr., vice-president; E. A.
Denicke, treasurer; Max Levy, recording secretary; George E. Voelkel,
corresponding secretary; H. A. Cobb, J. Bayer, M.D., F.
Schuenemann-Pott, Dr. Wozencroft.
The law of the state of California provides only for the disposal of the
dead by burial; therefore the society is now making the greatest efforts
to induce the legislature to enact a law authorizing cremation, leaving
the people free to choose as to the disposal of their dead between the
two methods.
At the last annual meeting of the society, the secretary stated that the
society now numbers 113 members, of which six are ladies. One of the
original members died, another left the society, which makes an increase
in membership of 62 persons.
The San Francisco Cremation Company was incorporated on the 10th of
September, 1885, with 117 stockholders, representing 214 shares at $50.
The capital stock is $25,000, divided into 500 shares of $50 each. The
object of the company is to erect a suitable crematorium for the immense
population of the great city at the Golden Gate.
A lot has been purchased, and a crematorium will be erected capable of
incinerating 40 bodies a day. The officers of this company are: Judge E.
D. Wheeler, president; S. Henderfelt, Jr., vice-president; Max Levy,
temporary treasurer and recording secretary; George E. Voelkel,
corresponding secretary; C. W. Banks, General Cobb, E. O. Denicke, W. T.
Trelan, Jr.
A cremation company was organized at Los Angeles, Cal., in the early
part of September, 1885, with 152 members, of which 12 are ladies. This
company intends to build a crematorium as soon as $6000 have been
subscribed.
Cremation companies were also recently founded at Sacramento and
Stockton, Cal.
The Davenport (Iowa) Cremation Society was formed on the 17th of
February, 1885, and is still in existence. It counts about 120 members.
It was founded to “enlighten the people on the subject of cremation.”
The annual dues are $1.
The Northwestern Cremation Society of Davenport may be regarded as an
offspring of the above. At a meeting held in April, 1885, a committee
was appointed to obtain subscriptions for the purpose of building a
crematorium. The committee reported May 6 that 100 shares, at $25 a
share, had been subscribed. At this meeting a committee was instructed
to draft articles of incorporation, to be acted upon at a future
meeting; and another committee was appointed to ascertain the cost of
cremation furnaces. The committee reported on June 30; and the
stockholders then proceeded to elect the directors of the organization.
On the 3d of July, the board of directors elected the officers: H. H.
Andresen, president; C. Stoltenberg, vice-president; F. G. Clausen,
secretary; F. T. Blunck, treasurer.
The capital stock of this company is $25,000, divided into 1000 shares
of $25 each. The stock is payable at such time or times as the board of
directors may determine. Four thousand three hundred and fifty dollars
have already been subscribed. A committee has been appointed to purchase
a lot, and the crematorium will probably be erected in the course of
this year.
In the spring of 1885, several citizens of San Antonio, Tex., circulated
a list which read as follows:—
“We, the undersigned, believing cremation the proper, most healthful,
and most satisfactory method of disposing of our dead, do therefore sign
our names hereto, with the expectation of forming ourselves into a
society, the immediate object of which will be the erection of a
crematorium in this city.” This circular was signed by 95 persons,
ladies as well as gentlemen.
A meeting was then called. At this gathering, three committees were
appointed: one to obtain a charter, one to prepare the constitution and
by-laws, and one, finally, to get subscriptions.
The latter made the round of the city with the following agreement:—
“We, the undersigned, do hereby agree to become members of the cremation
society now being formed in San Antonio, Bexar County, Tex. Each of the
undersigned hereby agrees to pay 50 cents down, as a contribution to the
fund for defraying the preliminary expense in forming the society.”
This list was signed by 107 persons of both sexes, and $53 were
collected to pay for printing, etc.
After this, another meeting was called in the latter part of May, and
the company organized permanently. The organization is called the “San
Antonio Cremation Company,” and has the following officers: E. B. Hadra,
M.D., president; M. F. Corbett, vice-president; F. Groos, banker,
treasurer; A. Maverick, secretary.
The company was incorporated on the 18th of June, 1885. The amount of
the capital stock of this corporation is $50,000, divided into 5000
shares, of the par value each of $10. So far, $1480 have been subscribed
by 60 shareholders.
An acre of land was donated to the company by Mr. A. Maverick. It lies
east of the city, on a hill, in the neighborhood of the cemeteries; but
the property lies east of them, so that the east and southeast trade
winds, which blow in San Antonio during the summer, reach the place
first, and, consequently, do not fetch any bad odor from the graveyards.
The grounds will be beautifully laid out and planted with trees and
shrubs in the near future. The view from this site is very fine. Toward
the north may be seen the government depot, with all its stately
buildings, about two miles off; toward the east and southeast is visible
a beautiful valley terminated in the distance by the picturesque blue
mountains.
In the beginning the company was opposed by a Baptist preacher, who was
soon silenced by the following declaration in one of the daily
newspapers:—
“I have no doubt but that my good old Christian friend is in this world
for doing good; but, by opposing cremation, he not only does harm to us
all as long as he lives, but continues to injure us after he is dead and
buried,” etc.
The cremation movement in the state of Michigan was begun by the author
of this volume immediately after he returned from the incineration of
his mother. By repeated newspaper articles I continued to awaken a
lively interest in the reform at Detroit, and was supported in my
undertaking by all the leading newspapers of the city; even a
publication only a few days old declaring in favor of cremation. None
but the purely religious journals opposed the scheme. On the 7th of
August, 1885, a meeting was held at a public hall in the City of the
Straits, for the purpose of discussing the question of cremation and of
forming a cremation society. The meeting was well attended, nearly 100
persons being present. Dr. J. H. Carstens was chosen chairman, and Dr.
H. Erichsen as secretary. The meeting was opened by Dr. J. H. Carstens.
Two plans, he said, had been proposed for the consideration of
cremationists; one of these was the building of a crematory, the other,
the formation of a society, each member of which would pledge himself to
provide for the incineration of his body.
I then made the address of the evening, giving the main arguments for
incineration as opposed to earth-burial. My statements were followed by
remarks of a similar nature, made by several of the gentlemen present.
A motion was then made by Dr. J. E. Emerson, a prominent physician, that
the chairman appoint a committee of three to prepare a constitution and
by-laws for the organization of a cremation society in Detroit; and
three gentlemen were appointed as such committee. The following
agreement was thereupon prepared, and received 27 signatures:—
“We, the undersigned, do hereby unite ourselves into an association for
the purpose of providing facilities for carrying cremation into
operation.” Then the meeting adjourned, subject to the call of the
committee.
The entire time of the committee was taken up by the formation of a
stock company, which proposes the erection of a crematory. Influenced by
flattering prospects, the promoters of the project had prepared by
Messrs. Spiers and Rohns, architects, plans for a handsome crematorium.
The chart shows three divisions, viz.: the exterior of the building, the
main floor, and the basement.
[Illustration:
CREMATORIUM AT LANCASTER, PA.
(Exterior View.)
]
The exterior view shows a handsome Romanesque structure of one story and
a basement. The main height is 16 feet, which rises in four gables on
the sides. A dome, 35 feet in circumference, attains a height of 65
feet. The drawing of the first floor shows an auditorium of octagon
form. Back of the two rear niches are dressing-rooms for clergymen. Two
handsome altars on which to hold religious services will front from
these niches. Two rooms in the lower end of the building, on either side
of the approach, are reserved for toilet rooms, one for ladies, and the
other for gentlemen. In the center of the upper end of the auditorium is
placed a catafalque, resting on an elevator. After a body has been
properly prepared, it will be placed on this catafalque. When the
religious services are concluded, the body will be lowered to the
basement, and the opening in the floor closed with a slide trap.
The plan of the basement shows the same divisions as are made on the
main floor. On the left-hand side is a retiring-room. The front is
divided into four rooms. An ice cellar, a frigidarium, which is
calculated as a place in which to preserve bodies for several days; a
calidarium, a heated room in which bodies can be placed for several
days, to insure against cremation while in a state of trance; and a drug
room, where restoratives will be kept. The right-hand wing is designed
for a preparing room, from which the body is taken directly to one of
the furnaces. The furnaces, of which there will be two, are not yet
definitely designed. It is supposed, however, that they will be after
the plan of the apparatuses at Lancaster, in Pennsylvania.
In the rear of the building it is proposed to build an addition, in the
form of a three-quarter circle, which will be styled the columbarium. On
the inside this will be divided by three corridors, and the walls
divided into compartments for containing urns. There will be room in
this limited space of 40 × 30 feet, it is estimated, for holding the
remains of 8000 bodies.
The building is designed to be built of Ionia red sandstone. Two immense
flue chimneys, one for ventilation, the other for the furnaces, rising
to a height of 75 feet, will give character to the building. The front
will be set off with a handsome porch supported by Roman pillars and
approached by a half-circle road-bed, over which the hearse and
carriages can drive up to the main entrance.
The Michigan Cremation Association was organized at Detroit on the 31st
of March, 1886. Dr. H. Erichsen was chosen temporary chairman, and Mr.
A. N. Low secretary of the meeting. The documents of incorporation were
signed. On motion of Dr. J. H. Carstens, a board of directors was
elected. At the close of the meeting the directors met, and elected the
following officers: President, James F. Noyes, M.D.; vice-president,
Hugo Erichsen, M.D.; secretary, Mr. A. N. Low; treasurer, Mr. M. W.
Field. The treasurer furnished a $10,000 bond, as required by the
original agreement.
The subject of cremation was first agitated at Baltimore, Md., in the
winter of 1884, by Dr. G. W. Lehmann and Mr. J. R. Rennous, who were
also the originators of the cremation company in that city. In 1884, two
public meetings were held; but they were poorly attended, and the
prospects gloomy in the extreme. But the two advocates of incineration
worked steadily on until their efforts were crowned with success. The
Cremation Cemetery Company of Baltimore City was incorporated on the
30th of March, 1885, with a capital stock of $15,000, divided into 600
shares of the par value of $25 per share. At a meeting of the
stockholders the following officers were elected: B. F. Horwitz,
president; J. R. Rennous, secretary; J. W. Middendorf, treasurer. The
founders of the organization were obliged to call it “Cremation Cemetery
Co.,” to comply with the general laws of Maryland in obtaining the
charter. $9000 worth of stock has already been taken up, and the company
expects to make such headway that it will be able to build soon.
When the La Crosse (Wisconsin) Cremation Society was founded in the
middle of October, 1885, with Mr. John Pamperin as president, it
resolved upon a full investigation of the subject of incineration and
appointed a committee to get reports from other societies. This
committee having performed its work, a meeting of the committee was held
at the residence of Mr. Gustav Carl, and these reports read, arranged,
and discussed. The report from Detroit was particularly exhaustive.
Davenport also furnished a report. The cremation society there had sent
a representative to Lancaster, Pa., who had examined the cremation
furnace there and had prepared a report, of which La Crosse was given
the benefit. The result of the conference was that a resolution was
adopted calling for a meeting of stockholders at an early date for
permanent organization. The La Crosse Cremation Association filed
articles of incorporation with the secretary of state on the 26th of
November, 1885. The purpose of the association is to dispose of human
bodies after death, by cremation, and it shall continue its business for
20 years, unless the holders of two-thirds of the stock consent to the
dissolution of the association. Mr. J. Pamperin is the president, Mr. G.
Carl, secretary, and Mr. J. Ulrich the treasurer of the association. A
person wishing to become a member of this association may subscribe for
one or more shares of $25 each (not exceeding 50 shares) of the capital
stock of the association, which is limited to $8000. The shares so
subscribed shall be paid in instalments. The first instalment must be
paid at the time of subscription, and the balance in instalments, as
called for by the directors, within one year thereafter; but none shall
be called for until three months after the other. If any of the
subscribers should die before the projected crematorium has been
erected, and the deceased should have expressed a wish to have his body
cremated, and provision is made by him or his family for the expenses
incident thereto, the officers of the society shall see that his will in
this respect be carried out at the nearest convenient crematory.
The Kentucky Cremation Society, at Louisville, which was organized in
the fall of 1886, has been steadily growing, and now counts about 70
members. The subscribed capital is sufficient to buy a lot and commence
building, and the society therefore hopes to have a crematory ready
during next year.
A license was issued on Jan. 2, 1886, to William Christian, of the
Chicago _Tribune_, Elmer Atkinson, a lawyer, and David Hamilton, a real
estate dealer, to build a crematory for the incineration of human
bodies, near Chicago, Illinois. The capital of the company which they
have organized, and which is called the “Chicago and Cook County
Cremation Company,” is $40,000.
On April 6, 1886, Dr. O. W. Carlson read a paper advocating cremation,
before the Academy of Medicine, at Milwaukee, Wis. At the close of the
address the subject was discussed at some length by those present, and
some very interesting facts were brought out. A proposition was made
that the Academy of Medicine found a cremation society at Milwaukee,
and, though no action in the matter was taken at the time, it is
probable that steps will be taken by the members with that object in
view.
Lately a cremation society was organized at Milwaukee, that has already
secured a desirable site upon a local cemetery, and intends to erect a
crematorium as soon as the necessary funds are obtained.
It is proposed to build a crematory at Toronto, Canada. The pastors of
the leading churches, upon being interviewed, almost unanimously
expressed their opposition to cremation.
The newspapers state that a crematory will be erected at Atlanta, Ga.
This volume would not be complete without the mention of the _Modern
Crematist_, a monthly journal devoted to the interests of incineration,
and published by Dr. M. L. Davis of Lancaster, Pa. The _Neue Flamme_, a
worthy German contemporary, is published at Berlin.
My native country was always eager to embrace deserving reforms; there
is no reason why it should not adopt the superior system of
incineration. Nay, I think it will become the standard-bearer of this
sanitary reformation, and march in the avant-guard of this signal
progress. The subject of incineration is already awakening much interest
among us, as is evinced by a recent sermon of that eminent New York
divine, Rev. Heber Newton, who spoke strongly in favor of the
substitution of cremation for sepulture. He said the mode of disposing
of the dead human body was only a form, and that mode was best which was
best for the living. In England, only a few years ago, a dignitary of
the national church dared to assert that cremation endangered the belief
in the life to come. He knew, or ought to have known, that the same
process of combustion is surely carried on, whether in the ground or in
the crematory, and that if dissolution of the body imperiled the true
doctrine of resurrection, then that doctrine was long ago hopelessly
lost. These words from the lips of a famous American preacher are
certainly proof that the antagonism of the clergy to cremation is
waning.
There are other signs of approaching day. I refer to the constant
discussion of incineration in the columns of the daily press, and to the
fact that cremation was lately brought to the attention of the American
Medical Association, while it met at St. Louis, Mo., on the 6th of May.
The report of a special committee, appointed the year before, was read
by its chairman, Dr. J. M. Keller, of Arkansas. The committee moved to
amend the original resolution so as to read:—
_Resolved_, That cremation or incineration of the dead has become a
sanitary necessity in populous cities, and that the Association advises
its adoption.
The Association adopted the amendment by a vote of 159 to 106.
Cremation was also endorsed by the American Public Health Association at
its last meeting.
I rejoice at the thought that most writers on the momentous subject of
incineration were medical men. Who, indeed, would be better qualified
for such a task than the man who may daily witness the pernicious effect
which the dead exercise over the living.
Those who are friends of the reform should come out openly in its favor.
Crematists who are on the fence, or who, perhaps, hide back of it, might
just as well keep out of the combat between cremation and interment
altogether; we have no use for them. If you believe in cremation,
candidly say so, and tell your friends _why_ you believe in it. Moral
cowards do a just cause more harm than good. Those who have tried to
propagate the idea of cremation in an underhand way have invariably
failed; the public must be brought face to face with the question:
cremation or burial? To spread the reform in this country, I hope to
see, before long, the birth of an American cremation association, to be
composed of delegates from the various cremation societies of the United
States. There is already a sufficient number of societies for the
formation of a vigorous organization of the kind, that would undoubtedly
aid greatly the progress of the reform.
This, then, finishes what I had to say about a hygienic reform that will
be the leading one in the latter part of the nineteenth century. There
will be a long and warm controversy before the people will generally
abandon a custom of such antiquity as earth-burial; but cremation will
supersede it in the end. The present style of burial does not do any one
any good. On the contrary, it destroys hundreds, perhaps thousands, of
lives every year. A good many deaths due to graveyard gases or water
contamination by cemetery effluvia escape observation, since the real
cause of the decease is seldom suspected. Incineration, however, does
nobody any harm, and is in accord with the humane and progressive spirit
of the age. Disadvantages it has none; and with the many arguments in
its favor, it cannot fail to come out of the battle between torch and
spade victorious in every respect. Moreover, it has the generous support
of the scientists, physicians, and sanitarians of the times, which alone
assures success.
I close this volume with a prediction which will soon be realized,
namely, that cremation will make more progress in the United States than
in any other country of the world. Indeed, the progression will be so
rapid that old Europe will open its eyes wide in blank astonishment, and
wonder how it is possible. When we Americans once perceive the
advantages and superiority of a reformation, we do not hesitate long to
adopt it; and the time will come when incineration will be customary in
the Union, and interment obsolete.
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TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES
1. Changed ‘during’ to ‘during their’ on p. 175.
2. Silently corrected typographical errors.
3. Retained anachronistic and non-standard spellings as printed.
4. Enclosed italics font in _underscores_.
5. Subscripts are denoted by an underscore before a series of
subscripted characters enclosed in curly braces, e.g. H_{2}O.
End of Project Gutenberg's The cremation of the dead, by Hugo Erichsen