THE UNDERTAKERS OF THE AMERICAN OLD WEST
The Undertaker is a position that was created when towns came into being. They also buried the dead quickly as there was no known way of preserving bodies. It wasn't just violence that led to many deaths. It was a harsh environment, with scorching deserts and dehydration. Unfortunately, living in town did not guarantee medical care or a proper burial. Doctors were few and far between in the American West. The job of the Town Undertaker was not easy. Most were furniture makers or doctors doing double duty. Preserving the bodies in the 1800's consisted of being soaked in Arsenic or alcohol. Formaldehyde was actually discovered in 1859 by a Russian chemist. The invention of formaldehyde was important to the business of The Undertaker. It actually made their business, a business. By postponing the decay of the body, families could wait longer to bury the deceased until other family members arrived. This opened new opportunities for elaborate funerals and creating a booming business for the Undertaker. Life expectancy was only 37 years of age, so undertaking was a crucial business with so many people dying. In the mining towns, life was fast and violent. For example, in Bodie, California, people had to step over dead bodies every morning when they went outside just to walk around town. The sheriff would appoint people to carry off the bodies to The Undertakers for burial. It is said that the church bells would ring out the number of years for the age of the deceased and the bells rang continuously. If the mining environment, accidents, Saloon gunfights and personal vendettas didn't kill you, then illnesses would. It is reported that Bode had as many Undertakers as saloons and that was a lot! Please check out my life Vlogs Channel: Cindy Vlogs Please join me on Instagram at: Cindywvlogs Should you care to donate a dollar or two to help me further my desert explorations please go to: PayPal.Me//BurningSandsExplorat My mailing address is: Burning Sands Exploration P. O. Box 553 Winnemucca, Nevada 89446 USA THANK YOU FOR WATCHING!
