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Dr. Jonathan Letterman
Coroner, City and County of San Francisco.
Report 1868-1869
Conclusion
In a city like this, with people from all parts of
the world, a great deal of labor devolves upon a Coroner... cases involving life
depend upon his investigations; and yet he has no office, but must depend upon
his own resources and rely upon the courtesy of an undertaker to furnish a
morgue, or dead-house.
A cosmopolitan city like this should have a morgue, where
bodies could be preserved (which the ends of justice often require), or until
they can be recognized, and where the Coroner can have the proper facilities for
discharging the important duties devolving upon him.
There is in my mind something exceedingly repugnant in directing a
body to be interred and "unknown" marked upon the grave; and yet under the
existing state of things in this city, many persons must be thus buried.
No provision is made for the recovery of persons who have been
drowned, the Coroner not having the authority to offer a reward for their
recovery, or when found to pay the expenses of bringing them ashore. This is all
wrong.
The suggestions I have made are the result of observation, and I
trust your Honorable Body will give them your attention. I am convinced the ends
of justice and the interests of this city and county would be enhanced were the
views I have hinted at carried into effect.
JONATHAN LETTERMAN
Coroner
Statistical record of deaths for 1868
-1869
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