Tucked deep in a corner of the Bird Cage Theatre (Museum) in Tombstone Arizona I found the "Black Moriah."
The signage stated:
Tombstone’s Original Boothill Hearse
Owned by Watt & Tarbell Undertaking Parlor of Tombstone. Used from 1881 - 1917, with the exception of six people, it buried everyone in Boothill Cemetery. It was built by Cunningham Bros. of Rochester, NY. for $8,000 new in 1881. There were only 8 of these models built that year, it is the only one left of the original 8. The trim on the hearse is all sterling silver & 24 carat gold leaf. The curved glass is the first ever manufactured on a vehicle. Its value today is over ten times its original cost.
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* Getting any photo was difficult, the lighting was poor and the building was full of treasures, I wish I had a better photo.
** I have not done any research to verify the facts stated on the signage, if there are errors, the blame rests elsewhere.
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1 comment:
Great photo and topic!
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