Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-11-15

The Stolen Body of A. 7. Stewart.
DETAILS or THE AFFAIR." DARING DEED.
New York despatch gives the following
account OF the recent daring dissertation of
the grave of the late A. I. Stewart
The family vault where the body Of the late
\. I. Stewart was inferred is situated near
ly in the centre of ST. Marks church yard
which fronts Second avenue marked only
by marble slab laid aat on the ground at
the head of the vault. 1t is constructed of
brick and arched, and the top is covered by
three feet Of earth and green sward The
opening to the vault is at the centre. Three
heavy stone slabs are laid over the opening
and fit into the carbng. From the opening
granite staircase leads to the bottom
Of the vault. Stewards body was placed
in the vault April 18th, 1876. in three re-
ceplacles-a coffin of oak covered with vel
vet, a lead box Theoretically sealed, and a
heavy cedar box. 1t was dressed in fine
suit OF black broadcloth
George Hammill. sexton of St. Mark
church, was Stewart undertaken. Early the
morning of October 7th. the assistant sexton
discovered that the vault had been tamper-
ed with. The stone slab at the head of the
vault had been removed foot away from
its position and the earth dug several feet
under the slab. A. the slab was not over
the opening Of the vault, however, the
thieves had been disappointed.
Hammill reported tho occurrence to
Judge Hilton. At Hammill's suggestion
the slab marking the vault was removed
few feet to the south Of its true position in
order to deceive persons who might wish to
steal the body. A Waterman was also en-
ployed who trod over the ground every
night until q few days ago. Hammill was
in the church yard at 5 p. IN. Wednesday,
and noticed nothing.
W hen the assistant sexton came to the
church-yard at o'clock Thursday morning
be saw that the vault had been opened as
the earth covering the opening had been re-
moved. dark lantern and shovel lay be-
side the boap Of earth. The thieves had
not been deceived by the position
of the slah bu: had begun directly
The assistant went to lIammili's
ofi;, ard informed him of the occurrence.
HamnIil proceeded to the churchyard and
entered the vault, and there he made the
discovery tina. Stewards body had been
stolen. Tie thieves had pried open the
strong outer box and laid the top to one
side. They had then cut open the lead box
with a knife, wrenched of the silver pl ate
Of the inner casket, aud taken of the top.
The BODY had been removed with all tho
clothing. One stone slab covering the open
ing u the vault had been removed. and the
aperture thus made was only large enough
t. admit one man at time.
The b1ldness of the robbery is surprising
The thieves must have watched the move
m,nts Of the police closely to avoid being
seen. They must have known also that the
watchmen had been discharged, and
this surmise furnishes clue by which
the thieves may yet be discovered
The church yard ~ surrounded by an iron
railing 3 feet nigh, surmOuntcd by sharp
spikes. The gates of the railing were Lock
ell wednesday night, and found still locked in
morning. The thieves must have chosen n
time hen no one was in sight TO lit the
body IRON The vault, place 1t in bag or
receptacle. carry it across the church yard
and Iit It over the railing into a wagon.
All this required the strength OF dozen men.
The prevailing opinion ~ said 10 have been
that there was a good deal Of gold and si-
yer valuabes buried with the body, but
this was mistake, as the only valuable
thing was the massive silver on the casket,
aud that had been taken.