Six degrees of separation.

[Jim Garrett]

OK. Time for a new thread. Joseph Gawler was the undertaker who had in his possession, the skull of Lewis Powell. He died in 1910. Who was his undertaker?

[Laurie Verge]

Strictly a guess, but the company in Alexandria who embalmed and went with Lincoln's body to Springfield? Brown???

[Jim Garrett]

good gues, but nope. It's a name you would not normally associate with the undertakers of the time, but for those old time Washingtonians, the funeral home existed up through the 1970's on upper Wisconsin Ave, just north of Sears.

[L Verge]

Taltavul? That family ran a funeral establishment well into the 20th century.

[Jim Garrett]

(12-03-2012 07:18 PM)L Verge Wrote:  Taltavul? That family ran a funeral establishment well into the 20th century.

BINGO!!! Peter A. handled arrangements for Joseph Gawler. OK, your turn.

[John Stanton]

In my College days,THE Undertaker in town (D.C.)was GAWLER. (He may not be the name you seek, but he meets all the qualifications.)

[Jim Garrett]

The Gawler firm is still in business although it is now owned by SCI (Service Corp Int'l) one of the largest funeral firms in the world. Gawlers handle the arrangements for President Kennedy, the Space Shuttle Challenger, and the Ron Brown plane crash victims. They still have the federal government contracts for high ranking officials. Peter Taltuval had six sons. I'm thinking that Peter A. may have been a grandson. Peter A. is not buried at Congressional or Oak Hill.

---

Next Up. Frank Munroe was captain of the Marine Guards on the Montauk. His brother, Seaton was in the audience at Ford's Theatre. What famous American were they related to?

[LincolnMan]

Well, because of the last name "Munroe"- I'm going to guess President Monroe?

[Jim Garrett]

(12-03-2012 09:28 PM)LincolnMan Wrote:  Well, because of the last name "Munroe"- I'm going to guess President Monroe?

Correct. The Munroe's father was the nephew of James Monroe. I always thought that Alf and Ralph Munroe on Green Acres were lifted from Frank and Seaton, but I don't think any of the writers on Green Acres ever heard Lincoln was assassinated.

[LincolnMan]

I'd forgotten all about Alf and Ralph. Other than having the last name "Munroe" on the show-was there any other reason why you thought their names might have come from Frank and Seaton? Just curious!

[Jim Garrett]

(12-03-2012 09:35 PM)LincolnMan Wrote:  I'd forgotten all about Alf and Ralph. Other than having the last name "Munroe" on the show-was there any other reason why you thought their names might have come from Frank and Seaton? Just curious!

no other reason. Frank & Seaton are buried next to each other in Congressional Cemetery.