The Republican journal., 1871-01-05
A REsuRRECTioNIsT CAPTURED.
From the Cincinnati Gazette, Dec. y.

1t will be remembered that short time
ago we gave IN account of the mo(lus 0per021-
dt practiced by body snatchcrs in the pursuit
of their repulsivc occupation, and how the
burying grounds of the city and country in
firmaries and OF Longview Asylum We're de-
populated of the dead paupers. We have
now to record an incident of Wednesday
night in the history of Cunningham, familiar
ly called "Old Cunny," in which he was sad
ly interrupted while engaged with two black
experts in elevating 4 couple of subjects in
TERED in the graveyard used by the City In
Urinary, just in the rear of that institution.
1t seems that this notorious veteran in the
business, accompanied by his two stalwart
assistants, started out Wednesday night on
the avenue in his open spring wagon The
objective point was the burying place of pau
pers above mentioned The night was cold
and the air bracing. In order to keep the
cold out and the animal heat in, sCunny''
stopped at the Avenue House in Carthage to
''Wet his whistler between the hours of eev-
en- and twelve. He was also seen at eight
o'clock, when 4 party Of eight persons, d.
vining his movements, was at once formed,
who followed him and his assistants to the
graveyard. Here, to the Joy of the resurrec-
zionist, he discovered two freshly made
graves OF two paqpers who had been buried
'A'o 10y 'SAoAC' Hc EdIty III pursuit SUI
rounded the graveyard and commenced firing
promiscuously at the ghouls Just as they
were IN the act Of raising the subjects from
their last resting place. The colored assist
ants at once dropped their tools and escaped
through the woods. Several shots were fir
ed after them, none taking effect
The party then advanced toward "Cunny''
and told him to give himself up He was told
to hold up his hands to show that he had no
weapons in his pockets. But he was very
obstinate, and refused to hold up both hands,
resoutely keeping one of them in his pocket.
An athletic fellow Immediately brought a
loaded rifle to bear upon him, but the cap
snapped, and another was put on with like
result. This little accident no doubt saved
Cunny from the dissecting room, and seeing
the determination of his captors to summari,
ly dispose of him he reluctantly gave him.
self up after sliding down 4 steep hill of 500
feet He handed over :. seven-shooter and
begged them ''for Gods sake" to spare his
life. He was then taken back to the grave
yard, where his horse and wagon was stand
ing. 1t was then asccrtained that the bodies
had been uncovered but had not been taken
out of the graves. "Old Cunny" with his
shovels, picks and spades, was piled into the
wagon, and the whole party got in and ac-
companied him back to Carthage. He said
he did not expect such a load of 'bodies" to
bring back Ii he could get 500 apiece for
the party he would do well.'' On the return
to Carthage he stopped at the six-mile house,
the 'Black Bear" and another public house,
and treated his captors profusely to the
drinks, which cost him four or five dollars.
tie was then released and started to the city
with an empty wagon, while his doughty
captors dispersed to their homes in the serene