Herbert J. Orange

Was A Popular Young Man

Herbert J. Orange Was Soon To Graduate - Funeral Today

Herbert J. Orange, the young man who was killed by a train near Avery Saturday, was the son of Mr. and Mrs. John B. Orange of Twenty-third and H streets. He was eighteen years of age, very popular with the young men of his age and wherever he was acquainted in fact, and would have graduated from the South Omaha High School in June. During vacations he had been employed as clerk in various business places about the city. He was one of the best of the Young Men’s Christian association [illegible].

Saturday morning he arranged to go down to the Pappio fishing with two friends, but they preceded him while he went to Swift’s to see about a position that had been promised him after he should graduate. Thus he was hurrying on alone, trying to overtake his friends, when a rapidly approaching train caused him to step from one track to another, and unfortunately to the wrong track, for the Union Pacific No. 101 was on the other track, and it struck him, killing him instantly. His body was taken in charge by the Sarpy county coroner, who turned it over to the county undertaker at Springfield.

It was not until late Saturday night that the parents heard of his death, and then the unidentified body had already been buried at Springfield. With Undertaker Brewer, the father drove down to Springfield to secure the body and bring it back to South Omaha, returning at 6 p.m. The funeral will be held this afternoon at 2 o’clock at the First Presbyterian church, Rev. Howard Cramblett preaching the sermon. Burial will follow at Laurel Hill. The High school will be dismissed for the afternoon that the students may attend the funeral.

In reference to the unusual haste in burying the body of Herbert J. Orange, the Sarpy county undertaker, Frank Camp, yesterday afternoon stated that he had no facilities for preserving corpses which came into his possession, therefore the burial at Springfield before sunset on the day of the death. He stated he could not wait the customary time in such instances for identification.

Dr. Betts, the coroner, stated that the cause of death being so apparent, and no suspicion of foul play being present, he followed the provisions of the statutes and held no inquest. He said that he asked the county undertaker to hold the body for identification, and that he has had trouble with the undertaker before this because of his rush to inter bodies entrusted to his care.

Friends and relatives here sharply criticize the conduct of the Sarpy county authorities for not holding the body for identification till publicity of the death had been given through the newspapers for at least a day.

From the Omaha World-Herald (Omaha, Douglas Co., Nebraska), dated May 20, 1901