Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1869-09-02
THE Observation-Disclosures.
Husband Finds His Wife on the Dis
sectlng Table.

ncSNnA AuOACs
From the Cleveland Platndcaler.
Several years ago regular organization
Of ''rcs,rrectionists" existed in the States
Of Wisconsin and Illinois, with headquar-
tiers at Chicago. They carried on thriv-
ing trade with the colleges and the medical
men Of that region, and were ready at all
times to furnish one to half q dozen bodies
cd or young male or female. They
managed their affairs so quietly and care
fully that the public knew nothing Of the
extensive robbery OF graves going on until
the disclosure Of an aggravated instance OF
bDdy-SnHtchinG led to an examination of
different burial grounds, when the astoun-
portion of new-made graves had DO
opened and the bodies removed.
The case referred to was carefully SUM-
pressed ut the time; but years have passed
since then, and the facts can now DC made
public without violating any confidence Or
wo,lnding the hansiblitics of friends.
III the little villuge of RI, in the
State of Wisconsin, n young and beautiful
married lady died suddenly, and WAS buried
in accordance with prevailing custom. A
day or two after the funeral the bereaved
husband repaired to the cemetery to make
arrangements for suitably inclosing and
adjoining the family burial lot, when he dis
covered certain unmi taxable evidences
that the grave had been disturbed
Calling in tho aid of the sexton, tho new
made grave was soon opened and tho worst
fears Of the poor widowcr were confirmed.
The coffin and easing wcro still in the
grave. but tho corpse had been removed.
No words can describe tho horror and an
guish prodnccd in the mourning husband
by this terrible discovery. He had read Of
similar instances Of body-snatching at dis
tant points, but never realized how much
OF suffering and suspense the.e .obberies
entailed upon the surviving relatives and
friends. The griet over q loved and loving
wife had almost crushed him, but the ad-
ditional blow drove him to frenzy. He re-
solved that neither effort nor money to re-
cover his wife's remains, and punish tho
ghouls who had despoi!cd Ter gave, should
he spared.
Officers and detectives were sent out i'm
mediately in all directions. and 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 Sc
cured the services of famous detective to
work up the case. In less than twenty
four hours ''point" was obtained. The
night previous two or three mysterious
packages" had been left with the janitor
of the Medical College; and, armed with
the necessary official authority, the detec-
ton that afternoon.
The business had been managed 30
quietly and we'll that no suspicion was
aroused in the college, and the visitors
were allowed to stroll through the library,
the museum, and other interesting depart
ments of the institution. As they ap-
preached the ante-room leading to the
| dissecting room several students were OBJ
served to pass themselves in with latch
keys, carefully closing tho door behind
then. it was evident practical lecture
was in progress, aid the detective deter
mined to effect IN entrance to the lecture
room.
Lounging carelessly near the door, he
watched for the coming of another student
and had soon pressed his way tLr1uan The
passage en-. sntoo the dissecting room. HI
was followed closely by the person mos
| interested in the result of this investiga
ton. The semi-circle of seats, arranged
like those Of on ampitheatre, was we'll filled
| with professional spectators.
On II long table below lay IN outstretchet
form, covered with white cloth from heat
to foot. The Professor had evidently bee,
talking few minutes to his class, and Wa
Just getting ready to illustrate, practically
his subject. On the other side Of the corps
several cases Of Instruments were arranged
and two assistants stood by with aprons OF
and sleeves rolled back.
The order to remove Tho covering from
the corpse was given, and as the cloth rollet
back, exposing tho face and bust of fe
male, an exclamation was heard which
sent thrill of terror through the Assem-
bly,, and blanched the Professors face wit
fear.
"Great God my wife?"
A wild and tumultnous scene followed
The frantic husband rushed to the table
pistol in hand, and, recovering the expose'
face OF the corpse, threatened with instsGE
death whoever should 0gGin uncover o
touch it. The lecturer and his class wer
moi disposed to dispute tho claim thus sc
up, and rushed pell nell from the apart
ment. 1:':
A few words complete the story. TIL
riaed grave once more received its origina
occupant, and for many months constall
watch was kept over it. Legal proceeding
were commenced against the medical inst
!ution. but the affair was compromised an
settled without trial. Tho calling of tn
"rcsurrcctionists" received terrible blow
and body-snatching, for years thereafter
became both a difficult and dangerous en-
ployment.