The daily gazette., 1877-05-24
BUt tRIED ALIVE.
STARTLING STORY FROM NARY
LAND,


Startling rumors of terrible crime in
Baltimore county, Nd, have been circu-
lated at Towsontown for several days. 1t
was intimated that younggirl had been
buried alive, and that the fact had been
mains and the discovery of her changed
position in the coffin. Such was the ter
rible accusation and the mystery sur
rounding the case that for some days the
shocking story was deemed incredible.
Gradually, however, the rumors assumed
more defuite shape, and witnesses came
forward to offer their testimony.
On Saturday representative of the
Baltimore Gazette made an investigation
into the Inysterioue affair and Cleaned
some particulars of interest. About
Fifth district, named Staples, called at
the office Of States Attorney Spencer, at
TowsontOwn, and made formal COM
plant that the grave of young girl,
formerly in his employ, and whose death
occurred d few days before, had been
desecrated. He stated that they had ex-
humed the body, and that he wished to
have them prosecuted for the act. A few
DAYS later, on Thursday, the 10th inst, a
Mr.. Zouck and Levi Bosley, of the Fifth
district, called at the States Attorneys
1
mors prevailed in the neighbOrhood of
Staples residence that he had buried the
| girl alive There were present, 1t is said,
at the interment, besides Staples, his SON.
| in-law, a colored man, Mrs. Staples and
two other ladies. The coffin, which it is
said had been constructed by Staples
himself, consisted of rough box made
of pine boards. As it was being lowered
into the grave, the two ladies last refer
red to, it is said, were startled at hearing
q smothered voice proceeding from the
nation resembling 30 Lord" also from
the new made grave. They were both
seized with CONSERVATION and horror.
stricken, and after recovering little
from the shock protested against the in
termept being made. No attention was
however, paid to their remonstrance
Staples remarking that he was assured
the girl was dead. The grave was ac
oordIngly filed.
The ladies at once communicated theil
suspicious that the girl had been buried
alive, and the next day the new-mad'
grave was reopened and the cofin-lid re
moved. AS the rumors go, the most hor
rifying spectacle was revealed to those
present. The body of the girl, it is said
was turned completely over in the coffin
Her arms were scratched and the hesl
in some places laeerated. The hand
cIutched her hair, as though in the awfu
death struggle alone in her tomb she haC
endeavored to tear it out by the roots
Her shroud and also the coffin were fount
to be stained with blood that had gusheC
from her mouth and nose. After max
ling the frightful discovery the persons
! reclosed the coffin and again filled tn,
grave. The story was rapidly circulated
and soon became the general topic OF
conversation in the neighborhoOd, ant
finally extended to other parts of tn,
country, reaching the States Attorney
Office in an indirect manner. Mr.. Spence
has as vet had no interview with an,
person who witnessed the exhumation o
the body, and the foregoing particular
have been given as current rumors tina
have attained a wide circulation. Tn
States Attorney has, however, obtained
, the names of the persons who, it is said
witnessed the exhumation, and also O
the ladies, and they will be examine,
before the grand jury. The unfortunate
victim, IL such she should prove to be
. was taken from an institution for tn
care of destitute children, and her nam