A Life of Labor Ends at the Furnace
Thomas McMann, a 71-year-old hospital employee, was found dead in front of the Providence Hospital furnace, highlighting the quiet, precarious lives of the elderly working poor in 1893 Seattle.
Thomas McMann, aged 71 years, an employe at Providence hospital, fell dead yesterday morning while attending to his work. He has been troubled somewhat of late with his heart, but yesterday morning when he attended the chapel services he was all right. From the chapel he went to the furnace, of which he had charge. Some time later he was found lying dead in front of the furnace door. Coroner Horton was called, and after viewing the remains decided that death was due to heart disease. The remains will be buried from the hospital chapel.
“Some time later he was found lying dead in front of the furnace door.”
This story offers a glimpse into the lack of social safety nets for the elderly in the late 19th century, where one worked until the body failed. It serves as a reminder of the thousands of invisible laborers whose steady, routine work kept the city's institutions running.
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