The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1876-11-16
LINCOLN'S REMAINS.
Particulars of the Attempt to Steal
them from his Tomb.

tempt was made this evening to perpe-
trate one of the most Infamous outrages
that the mind of man is capable of con-
ceiving of stealing the bones and
ashes of Abraham Lincoln from the cat
acomb in the monument of Oak Ridge.
Unfortunately the perpetrators escaped,
leaving behind them, however, evidences
of the crime, and though the clues to
their identity are meager, if human in
genuity and perseverance can track them
it will be done. Somehow or other, no
one knows definitely, J. G. Power, the
custodian OF the monument, became i'm
pressed with the idea that there were
designs upon the remains. Perhaps he
dreamed of seeing men remove them.
Anyhow he had premonitions that some
thing was about to happen, and he COM
municated his feelings to Leonard SWEET
and Robert Lincoln. They were inclin-
ed to laugh at Powers suspicious, and
could not believe that any one, even the
meanest and most degraded scoun l.rel in
the land, could think of such "a hing.
No object could be OWNED ard i'll the
absence of motive it seemed impossible
to them. However, the sincerity Of
Power in his expression that his fears
were not wholly imaginary induced them
to take precautionary measures. Accor-
dinghy, Mr.. SWEET wrote Col. Stewart,
of this city, about two weeks ago, re-
questing him to station a guard at the
monument. This was done, but no one
came to disturb the corpse Last Sat
urday Leonard SWEET met Detective
Tyrrell on the streets in Chicago, having
learned from him thai he was going to
Springfield on business, made him ac-
quainted with Powers suspicious, and
requested him to give a little time to
the matter if he could consistently do
SO. Tyrrell arrived here day Or two
afterwards, and at once commenced a
vigorous search of the small hotels,
saloons and dives for suspicious looking
characters. He saw dozen or two, but
none whom he knew to be criminals.
This afternoon Mr.. Power came into
town in hurry and hunted up Tyrrell,
and told him that two hard looking fell
lows had been out to the cemetery, and
seemed to be very much interested in
everything. He treated them affably,
of course, but did not like their faces.
When with them he felt that their visit
was not to satisfy curiosity. One regis
tered as from Racine and the other from
Kenosha, Wis. Their names are sup
pressed, since they may have had moth
ing to do with what occurred subse-
quently. When Tyrrell heard Powers
story, he looked upon the visit as one Of
inspection,- detective is very suspi-
cious person-and he jumped to the con-
clusion that election-night was an excel
ent one to rob the tomb, as every body
in the city was apt to have his attention
centered in the returns, and would not,
of all things in the world, think of the
inhabitants Of grayeyards. The chances
of detection were certainly less than any
other night, and Tyrrel showed good
Judgment in his conjecture.
That evenings train from Chicago
brought Elmer Washburn and another
detective, the ex-Chief of the Secret
Service, it seems, having been requested
by Mr.. SWEET and Mr.. Lincoln to come
here and aid Tyrrell. They met with
out delay, and had a consultation, and
laid the plans for the capture Of the vii
lains, in case they made their appearance.
About $40 O'Clock, Washburn, Tyrrell
and three others went out to Oak Ridge
IL q hack, alighting near the grounds
and entering them on foot, the vehicle
being sent back in order that it might
not be seen in the vicinity. Upon reach
ing the monument they We're admitted
to Memorial Hall by Mr.. Power and the
guard. The door of the hall faced north,
that of the catacomb, in which the. sar-
cophagus lies, faces south, the distance
between the two doors being about 100
Ieet. The night was rather chilly, and
it was deemed advisable to remain in this
room, since, if the officers were scatter
ed around the monument, lying around
the bush, the thieves were liable to ster
on them, as they would certainly not ap
proach by the open roadway. AS soor
as the door was closed orders were given
to stake off your boots, and keep quiet. p
One man was posted in the labyrinth il
the rear, SO called because of the walls
running in different directions and max.
ing numerous passage ways-these walls
supporting the terrace. His duty was
to listen for any noise made in the tomb
and to report it to Washburn. The wal
separating him from the vault was 2 OF
3 feet thick, but experiments had de.
monstrated that sounds could be plainly
heard through it. Imperative silence
was demanded, since the slightest move
ment produced an echo which might
give an alarm. After patiently waiting
for nearly three hours, most of the time
standing in one position, this man heard
grating noise which lasted several min
utes. Then, in a little while, came sew
eral successive thuds, as if some one
were hammering. This was communi
Gated to Washburn by means OF string
he having hold OF one end and the senti
mel the other. The time for action hat
arrived; the thieves were at work
Washburn and five others slipped out o.
quietly as possible, slight noise being
made IN unlocking the iron-door an,
swinging it back. They went forwar,