The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1869-09-02
TfsE Observation-Disclosures.
Husband. End fsis VIE On
tiae ssss,eCtiDg aabic.
(Fr ON the Cleveland Plaindealer)

| Several years ago regular organiza ton
of "resur.ectionists existed in the States
of Wisconsin and Illinois, with headQuar
tiers at Chicago. They arrived on thirty
| ing trade with the colleges and the medical
men OF that region, and were ready at all
! times TO furnish one 10 halt dozen bodies
old or young, male or female. hey
managed their affair so quietly and carefully
| that the public knew nothing Of the extern
Sivt robbery Of graves going on until the
disclosure of an aggravated instance OF
body snatchlng led to an examination Of
different burial grounds, whom the satouud
my discovery was made that a large pro.
portion Of new>made graves had been open
ed and the bodies removed
The case referred to was carefully sup
pressed at the time but years have passed
since them, and the facts can now be made
public without violating any confidence or
wounding the sensibi!ities OF friends.
La the little village Of h, in the
State of Wisconsin, young and beautiful
married lady died Suddenly, and was buried
in accordance with prevailing custom. 4
day or two after the funeral the bereavcd
husband repaired to the cemetery to make
arrangements for suitably ;hclosing and
adjoining the family burial lot, when he
discovered certain uninstakable evidences
that the grave had been disturbed.
Calling in the aid OF the sexton, the new
made grave was soon opened and the worst
fears Of the poor widow were confirmed.
The coffin and casing were still in tbs grave
but the corpse had been removed.
No words can describe the horror and
angushed produced in the mourning hus-
band by this terrible discovery. He had
read of similar instances of body, snatching
at distant points, but never realized how
much OF suffering and suspenses these rob
berries entailed upon the surviving relatives
and friends. The grief over a loved and
loving wife had almost crushed him, but
the additional blow drove HIM to frenzy
| lie resolved that neither effort nor money
to recover his wife 5 remaiLs, and punish
the ehouis who had dospoiiod her grave,
should be spared.
UlIcers and detectives were sent out i'm
medIate!y in all directions, nd tempting
reward made the search a thorough and
energetic one. But two days elapsed, and
no clue to the perpetrators Of the outrage
had been discovered. The husband him
self repaired TO Chicago, and at once secur
ed the services OF famous detective TO
work up the case. In less than twenty-
L IL
night previous two or three mysterious
packages had been left with the jani;or
of the Medical College; aud, armed with
the necessary official authority, the deiec-
tive and his ein ooyer visited the institu
ton that afternoon.
The business had been managed 80 quiet
y and we'll that no suspicion was aroused
III the college, and tile visitors were allowed
10 stroll through the library, the museum,
and other interesting departments Of the
institution. As they approached the ante
room leading to the dIssec:Iug room several
students were observed TO pass themselves
IN with latch keys, carefully closing the
door behind them. II was evident a prac~
teal lecture was in progress, and the dc
tective determined TO effect an enhance 10
the lecture room.
Lounging carelessly near the door, he
watched Tor the coming Of another student,
aud had soon pressed his way through the
passage and into the dlssectIng room. lie
was followed closely by the person most
interested In the result Of this Investigation
he seni circle OF seats arranged like those
of an ampitheatre, was well filled with pro-
fessionai spectators.
On long table below lay an ontstretched
form, covered With white cloth from head
to foot. The Professor had evidently been
taking few minutes to his class, and was
just getting ready to illustrate, practically,
his subject On the other side of the corpse
several cases Of instruments were arranged,
and wo assistants stood by with aprons on
and sleeves rolled back.
The order to move the covering from the
corpse was given, and as the cloth rolled
back, exposing the face and bust Of fe>
male, an exclamation was heard which
sent thrill of terror through the assembly,
aud b!aached the Professor face with fear
Great God my wiie?'
4 Wild aud tunI1 ltuous scene followed
The frantic husband rushed to the table
pistol in hand, and, re covering the exposed
face of the corpse, threatened with infant
death whoever should again remove or
touch it. The lecturer and his class ere
not disposed to dispute the claim thus set
up, aud rushed pcll neil from the apart
ment.
A few words complete the story. The
rifed grave once more received its original
occupant, aud for many months constant
watch was kept overit. Legal proceedings
were commenced against the medical insti
tuition, but the affair was compromised
and settled without q trial The calling Of