The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-02-05

Body snatchers-D Down Among the Dead Men.
The Philadelphia Press narrates the
| following;
There is no memory 90 sacred that sci
ence will not assault it, no belief so in
veterate it will not override. The mighti-
est creations of human vanity and preju-
dice have fallen before 1t, and notions
older than the Pyramids faded at its
breath.
In medicine this is particularly true,
and its history in the successive rise and
fall of tenet and system marks most
plainly the onward march of intellect.
This result has for the most part been
brought about, by the successive discov-
cries of the anatomy Of the human sys-
TEN, by means of dissection.
In former times, when the procurement
of subjects for this purpose was easy,
the limited knowledge OF its Importance,
ana the crude state OF science generally,
prevented their utilizatIon; in the pres
ent day the principal obstacle is the diti-
Guilty Of finding bodies upon which to
operate.
But, as they must be had, q certain
number have always been obtainable,
although the people, as rule, are ignor-
i
bodies of malefactors dying in brison,
and not claimed by friends or relatives
for burial, are given 10 the medical fra.
ternity. This source, however, is an un.
certain one, and the interested parties
are compelled to seek other and fuller
fountains Of supply. This demand has
given rise to q distinct calling "amone
the minions OF the mo0n," termed sres.
urrectlng," or "body snatching."
For years one of the richest fields Of
| the resurrectionist has been the Aims.
house graveyard in West Philadelphia
Cemeteries in and around the city have
from the pits of this charnal ground the
most of the s'stitfs" have come over
whose mutilated remains, gray-headed
Nockemoris poured forth wisdom to the
| vet untiedged Sawbones in our medical
colleges.
| Many persons have seen at different
times q wagon cross the lots which lie
beside this graveyard; but lew ever
dared to penetrate the mysteries of its
mission.
It's occupants were generally two
coarse and repulsive looking men. The
vehicle used to enter the burial ground
by removing portion Of the fence. In
side they were met by the watchman, OF
ianitor, as he was called out Of courtesy.
who directed them 10 the graves where
the estiffs" lay.
Two individuals bent on knowing the
gaodus 0perdndi OF exhuming the dead
secreleu themselves among the weeds
with which the place Is covered. The
wagon came at the appointed time,
eleven O'Clock, and the Watchman was
waiting to receive 1t.
"Well, Jack, everything ready w asked
one OF the Wag0ners.
"Yes," was the reply, in whisper
clearly audible in the awful Stiffness
..but iay low awhile; there's couple ol
cursed suckers around, trying to lind Out
something"
..oet your dog on 'em," suggested one,
sNo, IL won't do. might cause trouble;
better tire 'em out. Come in the shanty
awhile"
The lrio entered the hut designated
and over a bottle OF whisky, a cordial
the grave-digger is never without, they
muster up courage for the duties OF the
night.
Half an hour passed, and the three
| came out again. They listened, but the
only noise heard was the gurgilng OF the
brook in the vicinity.
"Lers begin," remarks the principal,
| if SIZE and ugliness confer th at distinc.
| tion, Il guess they've gone now."
His companions assenied. An old Ian
tern, provided with the stump of can
die is lit, and they take up the line 0
march toward pile OF freshly dug
pile is a hole abuutfOurteen feet long by
eight wide, carelessly. covered will
| boards.
| The watehman and one of the wagon
ers lit these from the mouth OF the pit
and having removed their coats, two, b,
means Oh a ladder, descended.
| .Will you want shovel?" says the
ianitor us he hands down the light.
mo, damn the shovel; we'H get zen
out. Three 'aint got any dirt on 'em ~
alp
A jerking and pulling of heavy mas,
issues II ON the grave hole, mingled will
suppressed oaths. In few minutes tn,
keeper reaches down and u coffin, b,
their combined efforts, is dragged up AM
laid one side.
.God, but he's heavy; what did he di'
OPP
The lantern is lifted over the coffin
; common pine box, stained with some
=, thing mat looks like red lead-and tn
watchman reads square printed form
ula on the lid.
sIps a woman, and she died of dror
, sy," he replies, as they prepare to ente
the pit again.
) A second box is brought up and third
the toilers cursing more and more a
every step in their task.
s.Look out jack" comes from the dept
of the grave.
The party spoken to moved back an,
one OF the men ascending the ladder
lew rounds threw small cofiia-pre
badly that of a still born child-Out as ia
} as he could toward the others. 1t struc
g one of them and fell with heavy thu
, to the ground.
. The remaining corpse - apparentl
that of O girl or a boy OF ten or twelv
years OF age, was soon deposited wit
, the rest, and they proceeued to carr,
, them to the wagon which was backed u
t as near as possible.
= The cottins were one by one showed IL
, to the vehicle, the workers induiging
boundless profanity while 80 engaget
+, Suddenly the dogs began barking fu
, iously.
"some ones coming, put out the light,
1 exclaimed the watchman, quickly.
Q Footsteps sounded on the httle woode
. bridge that separated the graveyard iron
the Iarm land, and two young men al
+ preached the group.
UWhere in the - are you fellow