What begins as a tragic death of a morphine addict, ends in a heated fight over his body by different authorities. The article below is from 1898 and clearly shows that very little has changed in our society.
Hoboken Ghouls
Joseph Budington, who boarded with Mrs. Mary Hiller, was found lying on the floor in his room, about 7:30 o’clock last evening, by his boarding mistress. He suffered much pain, and Dr. Peterson was called to attend him, as it was feared that he had taken poison. The man died shortly after the physician arrived.
Upon investigation it was learned that Budington had taken an overdose of morphine. Whether he took the deadly drug with suicidal intent or not is not known. He used morphine frequently, and was warned that an overdose would result fatally.
The police were notified and when Morgue Keeper William N. Parslow sent a wagon, in charge of two assistants, to bring the body to the morgue, they found George Hoffmann, son of Coroner Chas. Hoffmann, at the boarding house. Young Hoffmann styled himself as Deputy Coroner and refused to allow Parslow’s assistants to take the body away. He said that one of the friends of the dead man had notified his father to take charge of the body.
Roundsman Hammond said young Hoffmann had no authority to interfere with Parslow’s men, as the law directed the morgue keeper to remove all unknown or unclaimed bodies to the morgue. A clash of authority ensued between the police supporting Parslow’s men and young Hoffmann.
“I claim to be the only official who has any authority to remove the body,” said young Hoffmann, “and I’ll take it away.”
“If you do,” replied Roundsman Hammond, “I’ll arrest you. We have given Mr. Parslow instructions to remove the body to the morgue, as required by law, and if you interfere with his men I’ll have to arrest you.”
Hoffmann replied by saying that he had been ordered to take charge of the body by one of the dead man’s friends, and that he did not intend to remove the body from the house.
The roundsman asked what authority had anybody except the dead man’s relatives to order him to remove the body. The man had died suddenly and the morgue keeper was directed to take charge by the police.
“Well, if Parslow’s men take the body away,” said Hoffmann, “you’ll have to arrest me because I won’t let them.”
It was finally decided that Roundsman Hammond should go to Police Headquarters and apply to Captain Hayes for instructions. In the meantime, Parslow’s men placed a casket in the hallway, awaiting the roundsman’s return. A man, whose name is unknown, tried to throw the casket into the street. He picked the casket up by one end and wanted to toss it into the street, when Parslow’s men grabbed him. The man, who it is thought, wanted to prevent Parslow’s men from taking the body away, was threatened with arrest if he interfered again.
When Roundsman Hammond returned he reported that Captain Hayes gave him instructions to allow Parslow’s men to take the body to the morgue. Hoffmann entered a protest but allowed Parslow’s men to remove the body.
Budington has a wife and two children who live with a Mrs. O’Brien. He had been separated from his family about two years, since which time he has boarded with Mrs. Hiller. It is not known what caused Budington and his wife to separate, but it is supposed that it was owing to Budington’s habits. Mrs. Budington was notified last night of her husband’s death, and it is thought she will visit the morgue today and claim the body.
Source: The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]), 24 March 1898.
