The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-11-08
TO THE DAILY IHTELLIGETCER.
GENERAL NEWS.
--k
Graveyard GhouIs at Work.
Body of A. 7. Stewart Stolen
from the Family Vault.
A Plot to Levy Blackmail on the
Dead Millionaire.
A Heavy Reward for the Capture Of the
VilIains-Not Cent for Compromise
With the ScoundreIs.
NEW YORK SENSATION.

NEW YoRE, November THE police
Headquarters was informed to-day that the
body OF A. r. Stewart was stolen from the
family vault at st. Marks Church. In.
spector Dilks, when informed OF the rob
berry, at once sent out the following gcner-
al order to all the precincts:
"The remains OF A. r. Stewart were last
night stolen from the family vault in st.
Marks Church yard. The casket was
found broken and the body removed. The
decomposition of the remains Is 80 otlen-
sivc that they cannot be concealed. This
is apparent from standing at the opening
OF the vault this morning, consequently it
can't be taken across the ferries without
discovery. Cause diligent search to bc
made in your precincts, rs the remains
were evidently stolen in hope OF reward. >"
Early on the morning OF October 7th
Just month ago, the Assistant Sexton OF
st, Marks Church discovered that Stew
arts family vault thad been tampered with.
A stone slab had been removed from its
position and the earth disturbed for sever
al feet. As the slab was not over the
opening of the vault, the thieves did not
get ut the body. The Sexton reported the
matter to Judge Hilton, who ordered that
the slab be placed few feet from its true
position, in order to deceive anyone at
tcmpting to steal the body. A watclIman
was engaged. and he patrolled the grave
yard every night until very recently.
The discovery OF the outrage was made
at S o'clock this morning. The robbers
had removed one stone from the opening
OF tho vault, broken open the collin in
which the body was encased, and carried
away the contents, it is supposed, i'll a
sack.
The robbery has caused great excite
ment in the neighborhoOd OF the grave
yard.
The robbers, who were probably five o.
six in number, having entered the church
yard, proceeded to remove the earth from
the opening to the vault. This was soon
accomplished by the aid OF an ordinary fire
hand shovel, which, with dar k lantern,
they left behind them. They then pricd
up one OF the stones thus making an open
ing Just large enough to permit the en-
trance OF two men simultaneously. There
were several cottins i'll the vault, but the
robbers do not appear to have hcsitated in
choosing the right one. The outlet casing
OF cedar was easily broken open, and the
second or leaden coffin was ripped open
apparently with large knife. There then
renlained the oaken coffin which was also
broken open. The body was then taken
out and placed in some sort OF n sack lifted
up towards the opening where there were
probably other hands to receive it and car
ricd to the iron railings around the church
yard. The weight OF the body was not
very great, but it is still question how It
was passed over the railing. The work
was performed somehow for all
the gates were locked and the body
was then probably put into a
wagon and driven quietly away. 1t Is
worthy OF notice that no fOotmarks were
found in the church yard, although the
surface was soft after a fall OF rain last
evening 1t is, therefore, surmised that
the robbers stepped from gravestonc to
gravestOne, and thus made their exit
either on Stuyvcsant or llth street. They
wrenchcd the plate off OF the caskct and
carried 1t away with them.
On the whole, all indications point to
remarkably bold execution OF carefully
conceived plan. Especial care must have
been taken to avoid the police, for the spot
| Is very open and offers no good chance OF
conccalnient. The beats Of two policemen
terminate close to the church yard rail
ings, and the two officers ought TO meet
there constantly throughought the night.
their suspicious.
Mr.. Libby, OF the firm Of A. T. Stewart
4 Co., said to-day that the estate Of A. T.
Stewart will not offer reward for the
recovery OF his body. 1t will give $780,
900 II need be for the detection and punish
ment OF the outlaws, but not one cent to
them for the return OF what they have
taken. Not n single cent will be paid in
order to compromise this case.
4 THEORY As TO THE MOTIVE.
NEw YORE, November Sup to mid
night, the police stated that no arrests had
been made in connection with the desc
Grafton OF the Stewart vault. They seem
TO be utterly befOgged as 10 who pcrpetra-
ted the robbery.
The SIN says: Among all the theories
relative to this crime none Is more curl
Gus than that which attributes II to the
agency OF certain disappointed heirs, or
so.called heirs, OF Mr.. Stewart. Those who
hold to this theory believe the body was
removed In order. that chemical analysis
may be made TO detect traces OF poisoning.
The news OF the dcseCratlOn Of Mr..
Stewards grave was not conveyed to
Mrs. Stewart until yesterday evening,
when Judge Hilton called, and broke the
sad tilings to her MS gently M possible.
She was overwhelmed with grief, but she
fully cOinCidcd with Judge Hilton in TAX
ing n firm stand against any concessions
OF promise of reward to the robbers. She
expressed q willingness to 60 TO any OK.