S. P. Dinsmoor standing next to cement coffin in Garden of Eden (Lucas, Kansas)

Item — Box: MS 014-2-01, Object: MS 014-2-01-0352

Identifier: MS 014- series MS 014-2- item MS 014-2-01-0352

Staff Only

Digital Collections - FHSU Scholars Repository – Digitized Copies of Materials

Dates

1857-1974

Extent

From the Collection: 10 Cubic Feet

Additional Description

General

Front: In Garden of Eden Lucas Kan.

Back: Compliments. This coffin is made over a screen of reinforces No. 6 wire and half-inch iron, the handles have 5-8 iron running full length, fastened to coffin with No. 6 wire. The plate glass (under the little lid with he square, compass and trowel) is fastened over with white cement and sand. Inside around the top of lower box are wires to fasten up the lining. I have told my kids “to see that the wires are bent back so they will not stick me.” If they did, I would think there were bugs in there. When I quit breathing, my body will be embalmed, placed in this coffin. The large lid cemented down by running cement around in the groove, the little lid (with square, compass and trowel) placed on coffin near the foot, then put in a nick in the wall inside my mausoleum, with my cement jug placed at the foot and sealed up. This is where and the way I expect to go, I never joke. It seems to me that people buried in wooden and iron boxes will be frying and burning up the resurrection morn. How will they get out when this world is on fire? Cement will not stand fire, the glass will break. This cement lid will fly open and I will sail out like a locust. If I get to go up I have a cement angel outside above the door, to take me up. If I have to go below, I have a splendid well of water beside my mausoleum. My jug will be handy; I’ll grab my jug fill it with water and slide; they need water below. S. P. Dinsmoor.