The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1872-10-11
The W3se Of Death.-A Horrible
RaiIrO0d Incident.

The Omaha Dispatch, October 2, says:
Our readers Will remember that about a
week ago we announced through the me
diun of our columns the death at Ogden
of a Young man formerly of a Western city.
We also mentioned that his body had
been sent to this city by express to be
hacked in proper manner and forwarded
to his friends. With that long trip over
the plains is connected an incident shat
makes the blood curdle III our VEINS to re
late.
The facts have but lately come to light,
and from the Union Pacific officials. who
are irving to ferret out the miscreants who
committed the deed, we learn story to
which is attached feeling of horror and
fright almost indescribable. When the
packing Of the body ut Ogden was being
superintended a good deal of discussion
ensued as to whether or not the body
would keep in coming so long a distance.
They also took into consideration the
holiness Of the weather, and after consult
ing several physicians, the undertakers
decided to pack the body in ice. This
method seemed most likely TO succeed, as
it WAS the manner in which anything of
like nature is packed when travelling on
the water for any great distance 1t was
accordingly so arranged, and after being
directed was sent to the depot, and the
next train took it in charge, and thus it
was started on its way to Omaha.
When the journey was most completed,
one day the box commenced leaking. The
water arising from the melting of the ice
was of SO little quantity as not to affect
the color of the liquor. Some employees
on the road noticing the liquor oozin 2
from out the box containing the coffin,
concluded that it was a leaky wine cask
and agreed among themselves that before
it was taken out of the car they would
take occasion 20 test the quality Of the
wine. An opportunity finally presented
itself, of which they Immediately took ad-
vantage.
The train stopped at a small station to
allow passengers to obtain meals. Ths
time allowed for stoppage was something
/ less than an hour, and thus provided ample
/ allowance for the theft.
| They obtained from the trainmen an
auger Of sufficient size, and when overy
one, including the engineer, were supply
ing the wants of their palate, stopped
down under the car and bored q hole
through the bottom Of the car into the cof-
fin.
The wine Immediately commenced to
flow in large stream. They, in their
hurry to get through without being seen,
had overlooked providing for bucket,
and while one of them ran to procure one
a great deal ofthe liquid was lost. Enough,
however, was caught to fill the bucket
! which was concealed in the water closet
of the car, of which they appeared to have
Il key
After the train had started the theft was
discovered, but kept quiet until this city
was reached, when it was told TO special
detective, who has the matter in charge,
and will, if possible, bring to justice those
who committed the theft. This is one @!
Z 4lan cf1 3l.a4
ever ohronicled. The horror and dread
that must fill the minds of those who par
took OF the ghastly drink when they learp
that the wine, of which it was composed,
had ,ain around a corpse for three days,
will certainly be terrible.