A number of years ago a poor consumptive…
source date: 1891
availability: public-domain

Baked Meats Undoubtedly many of our readers have heard the old, old story of the soldier dying in Fort Yuma, and on his arrival in the lower region found it so cold he had to return for his blankets, and the Needles, not to be outdone, presents us with a parallel case. A number of years ago a poor consumptive gentleman arrived in the Needles, and finding the atmosphere of that place rare and invig- orating, concluded he would make it his home. After residing in the town beside the roaring Colorado for several years, he faded away and passed over the silent river. By his request his body was taken to Chicago for cremation. A number of friends accompanied the remains to administer the last sad rites. On their arrival in the windy city they sought out one of the many reduction works and had a retort fired up to the proper temperature, and the body was inserted therein. The furnace fire raged and seethed beneath the retort for a number of hours and the gentlemen in charge concluded they would take a peep to see if the body was proper- ly reduced, and a door in the retort being opened, they were horrified to see the gaunt and ghastly form of the old man sitting bolt up- right and gazing out upon them with a cold, icy stare. The frozen lips moved and in frigid tones exclaimed : “Gentlemen, I wish you would please shut that door; I always did hate a draught.” — Hohave Miner.