Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1878-04-27

I 3 Y.
was identified as one which usual,
stood in the vestry, and was used by tn,
sexton, 1t had doubtless been removed
at the same time when the key of thu
vault was taken, Beyond that all wa
mystery.
The object Of the woman, however
was easily discovered. As already stated
Mrs. Bell was buried with valuable
diamond ring on her finger. The desigr
Of the woman was to steal this from tht
supposed corpse. Finding it impossible
to remove it, the daring thief had raised
the hand Of the dead woman to hel
mouth, and in her attempt to withdraw
the ring with her teeth caused the pang
which went through the frame of the
evident victim Of trance, and aroused
her to consciousness. On the finger, Just
below the ring, the marks of teeth were
distinctly visible for several days after
Mrs. Bells resuscitatiOn.
Every effort was made to keep this
remarkable circumstances a secret from
the gossip Of the neighborhood never
theless every exertion was used quietly
to ascertain who the robber of the tomb
was. The general impression was that
the galb of female was assumed as a
disguise, and that the depredator was in
reality man, and probably a profes-
sional body-snstcher
1t was thought that the remarkable
circumstances attending Mrs. Bells sup.
posed death had aroused the desire OF
some medical expert to possess the body
for the purpose OF an autopsy; that he
had employed a person 10 steal it, and
that the body-snatcher, discovering the
valuable jewel, had resolved 10 gain
possession of it for himself.
Soon after this extraordinary occur.
renee the vicar of the parish resigned his
living and removed his family to Eng
land. Several years passed away, and
the incidents herein recorded were almost
forgotten. Mrs. Bells father died, and
Mr. Bell and his family quilted Kilmare
and took up their residence at Toxteth,
near Liverpool.
And now for the sequel.
During the Chartist riots in 1910
James Binns was arrested for murder
and lodged in Lancaster jail. He was
tried, convicted and sentence to be
hanged. Before the last sentence of the
Law was executed he made a confession
of many crimes, and, among the rest of
his exploits, as a professional body
snatcher, in which business he had been
engaged for many years The following
facts are taken from his confession;
In July, 1920, he was living in Belfast,
having fled from England to escape
punishment for his offences. He had
done several small jobs in Belfast for the
doctors and on the night of July 90, in
the year named, a welI-known physician
OF Belfast sent for him and told bin
that he had very delicate piece of work
for him to perform. A Mrs, Bell, q lady
Of great beauty, and the vile of a rich
proprietor, had Just died of very
peculiar disease, and the doctor and his
associates desired the body to investigate
the cause of death, The doctor paid
him so much money down, and de-
spatched him to Kilmare with such in
structiOns as were necessary. He was to
secure the corpse, and coach would be
ready at the churcbyard gate in which
there would be two assistants who would
be ready 10 assist him at given signal.
He went to Kilmare on the day Of the
funeral, at which he was present. He
examined the lock on the door of the
vault, and was satisfied that be could
sasily remove it. At midnight lie went
to the churchyard armed with wrench,
Il pair OF shears, and a picklock. First
himself that the coach was in
waiting, he entered the graveyard and
proceeded to the vault. The night was
dark and rain was falling, Creeping up
by the side OF the church, he approached
the tomb Of the Bell family, To his
surprise, he saw that the door was omen
and a faint light burning inside.
Stealthily drawing rear, he glanced in.
He saw the coffin lying along the marble
slab and in front OF it woman was
standing. A second glance showed him
that the woman was at work irving to
remove ring from the finger of the
dead. A sudden thought struck him
and, slouching down, he reached in at
the door and with his shears, which he
had brought to rid the corpse of its cum
bersome Shroud, he cut piece from the
skirt of the woman's dress and retired
lnobserved, As he remained for an
instant peering into the strange scene.
to his horror and astonishment he saw |
The corpse raise and arise the hand which |
The woman was apparently in the act |
1t putting to her mouth. The woman
gave shrek, rushed through the door,
md fled, leaving the lamp burning on
he floor, The body-snatcher guessed at
,nCe the woman's design, and. impressed |
with the conviction that she was a per-
on above the ordinary rank, he re.
olved to follow and see where she went
o. He had no difficulty in tracking the
'apidly retreating figure. It passed out
If the churchysrd at small wicket on
he north side OF the church and entered
he parsonage. Satisfied that he pos.
essed an important secret, out of which
le could make money, he returned to
he vault. The light was still burning
nd he signalled the men in waiting,
They were soon on the spot, but on
ntering the vault they discovered, to
heir utter amazement, that the coffin
vas empty, The body.snatcher kept his
ecret, and the mysterious disappearance
f the body was matter of unmixed
urprise. Distinguishing the lamp, the
nen quit the churchyard, the body
hatcher returning to his quarters at
mall inn and the assistants going back
o Belfast in the carriage
The next morning the news of Mrs.
'ell's restoration to lie was abroad in
he town. The body.snatcher fingered
q the neighborhood until he ascertained
hat the clergyman had quilted bone
Or friends house. Then he called at
he parsonage aud asked for the lady of
he house. 1t was with some difficulty
hat he obtained an interview, as the
omestics informed him that the lady
vas indispused and confined to her room.
My business" he said, "is of very
reat Importance, and it is absolutely
ecessary that should see her," After
he lapse of half an hour q middle aged,
andsome, stately lady entered the par.
,r, and, gazing with considerable dignity
her visitor, said "Whst is your
usiness with me, sir ?"
q T OF mo shut tho door pno,on, ~ L.