The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-01-11

Ho had nothing TO fear, for he was an old hand
at the business, and the spirits" in the black
bottle thai he placed against a tombstone, and
frequently invoked, kept off allothers Of super
natural character. The grave was fresh, the soil
was loose land the sharp spade, in brawny hands,
soon made clearing to the coffin.
The lid is semoved with as little noise as pos
sible. What horror The dead man rises in his
coffin to a sitting posture The affrghted resur-
reGtionist filings spade away. fOrgets his coatand
bottle, and scaling the wall of the cemetery, pale
assthe uncofiined man he leaves behind, he fees
as tor his life.
u was chill September night, and sitting in
ones grave-clothes, five feet below the surface
of mankind, is decidedly unpleasant. The gen.
ueman, so the story ran, had been buried alive
while in state OF trance, and was revived by
the combined effects of the cold air aud the
shock OF dsinternent. Possibly, too, the dura-
ton of his deathsleep was at an end at this par
ticular moment. At any rate, he went home;
and, having no latcbkey, was compelled TO ring
up the family.
The folks at home were, of course astounded
at his resurrection from the dead. AT the time
the affair created quite local sensation. Sub
sequently the gentleman made every effort to
ascertain the individual who had done him the
good turn, although from motives most despl-
cable. He even offered in the public prints a
reward of five hundred dollars to the friend in
need" if the unknown party would reveal hun.
But the unknown was too sharp. He feared to
disclose his identity, lest the law should lay its
heavy hand upon his shoulder. So the secret
has never transpired.
The men engaged in body-snatching in this
city rarely make an exclusive business of it.
Sometimes for a fortnight, or a month, they will
not have job. In the meantime they turn
their hand to anything should necessity compel
them. The craft have a recognized boss, who
makes engagements, and hires them for the full.
flment The "boss" is a character. He goes by
the name OF Jimmy" and lives in the benighted
region of Bedford street, above Sixth He is as
bleared,eyed, unshorn, dissipated man as ever
daylight shone upon. He may be known, in
part, by pair of short-legged boots he wears,
with the trousers always stuffed into them. 1t
is rarely too that Jimmy is seen without his
"Gudheen."
Jimmy has been at this business for years
how many is not known. He is well acquainted
with the ins and outs of almost every graveyard
in the city. 1t is said that he is on confidential
terms with several of the sections and superin-
tendents.
jimmy and his confreres operate systemati-
eally. They always choose the dark nights; if
they happen 70 be rainy no matter. As we have
said, they always work by two. One "burker"
lin England they are called burkers, after
Burke, notorious bodygrabber), effects en-.
trance into the graveyard, and commences TO
dig at the head of the grave a space about two
and-ahalf feet square,
An hour or so suffices to reach the coffin, the
head of which is broken in. Then, with long
hook, the body is pulled up, wrapped in dark
covering, and hastily conveyed to a confederate,
who has wagon in waiting. The wagon of
course has not been kept standing all the time
in front of the cemetery, but has been driven up
and down, to avoid suspicion. The wagon is
driven rapidly away the grave filled up as
before, and the job, which pays about fifty dol
lars is completed
The business Of resurrecting however, has
seen its best days, and is rapidly passing out of
existence. Compared with former times it is
quite insignificant in extent and profits. In fact,
il is beginning no longer to paybut in exceptional
cases, where persons have died from eXtraordi-
nary or peculiar ailments, for which science
could not account. The dissecting-rooms can
now generally obtain all the subjects they desire
through the legitimate channels, without en-
couraging an lllegitimate and barbarous traffic.
The day will speedily arrive when the resurrec-
ZIONIST, like the gum-man, the child stealer, and
the bounty;jumper, will live OILY IN our local
traditions