Mike, About 17 years ago I worked briefly at Western State Hospital and at the time I was there the hospital had a library on the grounds. Checking through my stuff I found a "history" of the hospital that I had photocopied. It's probably a hundred pages long and I have no idea where in it I would find any info on deaths or cemeteries. I will try to scan through it but you might have better luck contacting the hospital itself. The number there, at the library, is 253-756-2518. The nearest cemetery to the hospital is the New Tacoma Cemetery which is anything but new and could well be where he would be buried. Their number is 253-564-1311. On checking further I see that American Lake Veteran's Hospital, which is also in the area, officially opened on May 9,1924 and until that time the Army at Camp Lewis contracted with Western State Hospital to care for the mentally ill veterans . WSH housed the patients from August 1920 until then when 168 patients were transferred to ALVH. Conditions were so overcrowded at ALVH's new facility, however, that a new ward was opened for veterans at WSH in September 1924. There is a small cemetery on the grounds which was used for the burial of soldiers who in the early territorial days served at Fort Steilacoom and for their families. This, however, predates the use of the land as a hospital. In 1919 the legislature appropriated funds to be used in part toward the erection of a crematorium. And there is a reference to "the old morgue" being used for other purposes around 1939. My guess would be that your GUncle is buried at the NTC. I decided to read through the "history" I have but found only the above references. The hospital, itself, might be able to enlighten you more. Your question, however, has reopened my interest in the institution so I thank you. If I learn more I will contact you. Think I'll run out there and see what the library looks like nowadays. George Lowe George Lowe "by way of Cyndi Howells " wrote: > Hi Folks, I'm new to your list and hope someone can answer this query. > > My GUncle, shortly after his discharge from the Army in 1922, spent > ten months > at the "USOB Dept. Western State Hospital before dying in Dec. > 1923. I cannot > make out the place of burial nor the Undertaker. The first appears > to be > something like "Tacoma Twp." The latter is as bad, but looks something > like"(?P?)Oscar S_octip". > > I would think that there would have been a particular funeral home or > establishment that would have handled deaths occuring at the > hospital; but > maybe not. > > Anyone have any clues on this. Many thanks! > Mike Murphy > Dallas, TX