The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1867-03-16
WHO Ate Roger Williams:

Rev. ]. II. Mccarthy Of Indianapolis, ia writing
n series of articles for the Ladies Repository on
Roger Williams, the founder of the State of
Rhode Island. In the last number we find the
following curious and interesting statement
concerning the remains of the distinguished
man
Ninety years after his death, in III, steps
We're taken to erect to him some suitable monu-
ment, but the storms of the revolution came on
and the work was forgotten. But recently the
question has been agitated anew. and Williams
may yet have some outward sign to mark his
greatness and perpetuate his name. During the
period Of 1873 years, not even rough stone had
been set up to mark the grave Of the founder OF
Rhode Island, till the precise locality ofhisgrave
had been forgotten and could only be ascertained
by the most careful investigation. Suffice it to
say, however, the spot was found and the exhu-
nation made short time ago-though there was
little to exhume. On scraping Oft the surface OF
the ground the dim outlines Of seven graves con-
tanned within one square rod, revealed the burial
ground of Roger Williams In colonial times,
each family had its own burial ground. which
usually near the family residence. Three OF
these seven graves were those OF children, the
remaining four were adults. The easterly grave
was identified IA that of Mr.. Williams. On
digging down into the "ChaInel house." it was
found that everything had passed into oblivion.
The shape of the collins could only be traced by
black line Of carbonaceous matter the thickness
Of the edges of the coffins with their ends
distinctly defined. The rusted remains of the
hinges and nails with few fragments of wood
and single round knot, was all that could be
gathered from his grave. In the grave OF his
wife there not trace of anything save n
single lock of braided hair which had survived
the lapse of more than 1s9 years. Near the grave
stood venerable apple tree when and by whom
planted, is unknown. This tree had sent two
of its main roots into the grave of Mr.. and Mrs.
Williams. The large root had pushed its way
through the earth till it reached the precise spot
occupied by the skull of Roger Williams. There
making a turn as if going around the skull, fol-
lowed the direction OF the backbone to the
hips.-Hcre it divided into two branches send
ing one along each leg to the heel, where they
both turned upwards to the toes-One of these
roots formed slight crook at the knee which
makes the whole bear a close resemblance to the
human form. The single root is preserved with
great care, not only AZ an illustration of the
great principle of vegetation, but for its historic
association. There were the graves cnptied OF
every particle OF human dust Not trace OF
anything was left 1t is known to chemistry
that all flesh, and the gelatinous matter giving
consistency to the bones, resolved into carbon
ic acid gas water and air while the solid lime
remains. But in this case even the phosphate of
lime of the bones in both graves was III gone
There stood the apple tree, as was said at the
time, "caught in the very act of robbing the
grave"
| To explain the phenomenon is not the design
of this article. Such an explanation could be
given and many additional cases adduccd. But
this fact must be admitted; the organic matter
OF Roger Williams had been transmitted into the
apple tree it had passed into the woody tibsc and
was capable of propelling steam engine it had
bossomed in the apple blossoms and become
pleasant to the eye; and more, it had gone into
the fruit from year to year, that the ques-
ton might be asked, Who ate Roger Williams