Dignity for a Forgotten Man
A Ladies' Aid Society steps forward to provide a proper burial for a man found under a train trestle.
The Ladies Aid Society of Rev. H. T. Shepard’s church, at Black Diamond, has signified its willingness to bear at least a part of the expense and to take charge of the removal of the remains of Daniel Downey from the grave beside the trestle, where they still lie, to some more permanent burial place. The readers of the Post-Intelligencer will remember that the body was found under the trestle at Black Diamond on February 21, and buried on the spot by Deputy Coroner Carroll, prior to the discovery of the man’s identity and the finding of his family on Rose street, Seattle. The Ladies’ Aid Society would like to be informed of the wishes of the family concerning the disposition of the body, and invested by the coroner with authority for its removal, when the society would be glad to give the remains decent interment in the Black Diamond cemetery, or to share with Seattle the expense of their carriage to such other place as the family might desire.
“The Ladies' Aid Society would like to be informed of the wishes of the family concerning the disposition of the body.”
This story reflects a time when public bodies and charitable organizations often filled the gaps left by the state in caring for the deceased, especially transient or laborer populations. It echoes the ongoing civic struggle in the region to provide dignified finality to vulnerable populations who pass away far from their families.
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