Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-01-18
1g1sCEI.LANX.
From the &srlsng Scottish Journal.
RESURRECTION MEN.


RESURRECTION MEN.
On Saturday se'night young lad
belonging to Carronshore, named Viii
liam Millar, slater, having gone into
Edinburgh to visit a brother, who lives
at Fountain Bridge, was sitting By the
FIRE, with his brother, ere he went to
bed, when, having occasion to 60 to the
door, he went out to his brothers gar
den. The moon shone brightly, and
il was about one o'clock on Sunday
morning. Soon after going into the
garden, he was alarmed by the noise OF
fighting and cries for help, upon the
high road; he Immediately ran forward
to ascertain the cause, when man,
Creased like acoaeh driver, came up to
him, and urged him to assist in separat-
ing the pretended combatants. No
sooner, however, had he got to the
spot, than one Of them struck him O.
yer the mouth with his hand, fastened
at the same time large adhesive plass-
ter over his mouth and nose, but owing
to his giving sudden turn Of the head,
one nostril and very small part of his
mouth were left uncovered. AT the
instant this was effected, the other fell
low caught him by the arms, which
they pinioned back with rope, like a
culprit for the gallows. In this state
we was hurried to chaise, which stood
near the place, into which he was rails
ed, and a box, about three feet long,
two feet high, that stood in it, being O.
pened, he was put into it upon his back
and the lid crushed down upon him
and locked. The terror and stupor
in whica he was, destroyed all presence
of mind, while the plaster prevented his
making any noise. The chaise imme-
diately set off, and for several hours he
Law in this dreadful confinement, when
the box was opened, and his mysterious
companions lifted him out and placed
him between them upon the seat. The
small glimmer which the pane in the
back Of the chaise afforded for the
blinds were up) enabled him indistinct-
ly-.e observe the appearance of the
men; they were dressed in large white
dreadnought great coats, close about
their faces; one Of them whom Millar
thinks he could recognise, seemed an
oldish man. The most profound ST.
lence was observed, and after being al
lowed thus to enjoy little air, he was
again replaced in the box. This was
done three times, evidently to keep
him alive, but he now became much
exhausted, and his arms and legs be-
numbed from the rope and pressure
The chaise stopped once, apparently at
Dunbar, for as long time as the hor-
ses might be changed. The journey
was continued till the Sunday afternoon
when, at Aytown, the chaise was broke
down by the wheel breaking, and a
spring giving way, and as it was i'm
possible to get it repaired that night,
and the men seeing they could not get
ON, they loosed the horses and rode into
Berwick, the driver behind one of them.
Numbers of country people were re-
turning from the church, who were at
tracted by disagreeable smell, issuing
from a box tied behind the chaise.-
This they were not long in breaking
nm. when it was found to contain the
BODY of a man! Proceeding in their
investigation, the box within the chaise
was next opened, when their astonish-
rnent can hardly be imagined at seeing
actually living person in such situ-
ton. He was quickly taken from his
wretched confinement, and removed to
a public house, where he experienced
humane treatment from the sympathy
of his deliverers. Next day he was
taken upon cart into Berwick, and
with a number Of the eye witnesses,
made deposition before a magistrate.
Here he learned that the horses had
been left an inn in Berwick, and as a
suspicion was entertained that the
crew were lurking about the town, he
was told no notice would appear in the
public papers till search was made
Tor their apprehension. A few shil-
lings being collected for him, and hav-
ing happened to have a trifle at
the time concealed below his vest, he
was enabled to return by the coach to
Edinburgh, where his brothers family
did not exceed in establishment at his
return; the satisfaction he felt at his
miraculous escape. A guinea note
was riAed from his watch pocket du-
ring the scufie in putting him into the
ehaise. The writer of this relation has
seen him and the plaster which he
brought home. 1t is piece Of white
leather covered win strong adhesive
black substance. Millar has q good