Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-12-17
The Resarreetionists i'm Court.

The ResurrecttOnists in Court.
THE TESTIMONY AGAINST THEM.
George A. Christian (whitel and Charlie
Green tcoioredl were this morning brought owe
from jail and placed in the dock of the Police
Court, the room being filed with persons Whose
curiosity prompted them to take q look at tht
prisoners The woman, Margaret Harrison,
was brought into court with them. After tht
ether cases were disposed of the two men werC
rralgned on the charge of digging up the body
of Thomas Fletcher from the Holmead burial
ground on the 18th day of December and carry
ing 1t away with the intent to sell and dispose Of
II for gain OF profit.
nons against Christian, one for taking the
body Of Fletcher and the other for taking the
body OF party unknown, and would proceed
hrst with that charging him with removing a
body from the Congressional cemetery on the
18th of October last.
Mr.. Norris, for the prisoner said he had beer
athous the aes Be N The scs snst
committed for the purpose of promoting the
interests OF science, but would now enter the
plea OF not guilty.
Mr.. Thomas Thompson was the first witness
called, and be testified that he was present at
the funeral of the late A. e. II. Webster, who
was buried at Congressional Cemetery on the
18th Of October last. He was buried by Ce n
tennal Lodge and Washington Chapter OF
Nssons. Went to the cemetery yesterday morn
ing and saw the grave opened. The lid of the
eoff n was split open and there was nothing in
II, even the pillow on which the head was laid
having been taken. Saw Christian at the Gem
etery where the body was foand.
Mr.. A. p. Snyder testified TO seeing the de-
PENDANT at the ground.
Ofieer yolkman testified that he took the
diary from the deceased at the station-house on
Mr. r. r. Sparks, of the Surgeon Generals
ehiee, examined the diary, and said the writing
MIR. Todd, of the Surgeon Generals Office,
also testified to the hand writing In the diary a.
Christians.
Mr.. Cless proposed to put in the diary as evil
dence.
Mr.. Norris objected, first, because it could
only be evidence II IL were stolen property
found on the defendants; aud, second, because
il merely purports to contain the diary of the
owner, and they had not show that il was the
property of the defendant.
Judge Smell said that portions of the book
might be admitted as evidence, and he would
admit il, % far as any record of this particular
case was concerned.
Mr.. Norris did not further object
Mr.. Gloss read, under the head of October
18th, Wednesday, " Attended funeral at Con-
gressional cemetery to-day, and brought the
subject into Georgetown College to night
Mr.. Gloss also proposed to show by the book
that defendant had solicited orders for subjects.
Judge Smell said that he would admit this tes-
timony on the same ground that he would in a
charge of larceny allow evidence to snow that
the party charged had goods.
Mr.. Norris objected 10 this ruling.
Mr.. Gloss then read numerous memoranda
from the diary, and said be would close the case.
THE DEFENCE.
Judge Snell--Have you any testimony, Mr..
MIR. Norris said be did not need any, and pro-
eeeded to argue that there was no testimony
that the body of Webster had been taken BY
this party. They had simply shown that the
Vas made. AS long as the world remained the
taking of bodies would continue. and II they
shutup the dissectiDg rooms, soon the physicians
would be pOwerless to treat the living.
The judge said he would suspend Judgment.
THE NEXT CASE
was taken up, the information charging Chris
tan and Charles Green with taking up the body
of Thomas Fletcher on Saturday last.
Officer Hawkins testified that about o'clock
n night, on the 18th instant, he saw the horse
and buggy come down 22d street and turn up X
street towards the circle, where IL stopped aud
two men got out of II and went up New Hamp-
rhire avenue. About hour after George
Green came back having two shoyels and bag
both got into the buggy where the woman
vas, and the carriage was driven up New
Hampshire avenue; he followed, and in
company with Mr.. NcGlue, arrested the
party and drove them to the station house.
Afterwards the officers repaired to the Hol-
mead Cemetery whore they found the dead
body of Thomas Fletcher who had been
buried the day before. The body was in q large
bag, having been dug up and dragged through
the fence, where two palings were taken OF.
The shovels had the appearance of having re-
Gently been used, being muddy. A syringe, a
pistol, memorandum book. bottle OF liquid,
&c. were also found in the buggy and on the
person Of the white man who gave the name OF
George Archer.
Sergeant Kneass corroborated the testimony
OF Officer Hawkins, as TO the situation of things
At the cemetery and to the articles found
Officer yolkmsn, the station keeper, testified
to putting questions to Christian, which he de-
eiined TO answer. On searching HIM found a
ball Of Irvine, two bottles OF liquid, 0 screw
driver, some needles. lance, diary book, and
pistol. In the buggy were found several bags,
which smeiled very bad, and two shovels, which
veLe muddy. Tie shoseis and bags smelled as
bodies.
Richard W. Brown, sexton Of Holmea as cems-
on the 18th instant. He buried the body him
self. On the morning of the 18th Instant was
called upon by the police to 60 to the cemetery
pered With. Went there and found it had, and
saw the body when IL was found beside the
fence. IL was Afterwards inferred in the same
place.
After hearing the testimony of other witness
e., and OF Margaret Harrison, who disclaimed
all knowledge Of the n transactions, the prosecu-
ton rested, and Mr.. Gloss stated that he had nc
charge against the woman, but asked that she
be retained a. q witness.
Mr.. Norris said he had no testimony to offer
and asked that Judgment be suspended in order
The Judge granted him time and the cass
vas continued until to- morrow at O'Clock.
MAReARxr HARRISON,
the woman Who was In the buggy with the p,i.
sobers the night they were arr ested is q native
o. nniM county. Y g., and came to this Dis
trict In October. is'2 Being sick and Withou,
friends or money, she obtained permission 70 es
TO the almshouse hospital, when After ne oai min
her health, she was employed as nurse In tn
hospital at Is per month. When the small no,
hospital was established she was induced h,
Dr. schlimer to take the position Of nurse in tia,
nn 81 &.
when she was discharged by the Board O.
Health, some two hundred dollars being du,
her, which has not yet been paid her. Beinj
without any money, she took to sewing for
living, and not long since went TO live ut Chris
uan's house In the capacity OF seamDtreeo. Sh,
testified that she had nothing to do With ii,
graveyard business, and when she went ont OF
the night the party were arrested she did no
hnou where Christian WAS going or what hi
DsSDeees we're.