Daily globe., 1878-05-19


gossip of the neighborhood; nevertheless.
every exert,on was used quietly to ascer,
tain who the robber of the tomb was.
The general impression was that the garb
OF female was assumed as a disguise.
and that the depredator was in reality
man, and probably professional body
| snatcher.
| ltwas thought that The remarkable
circumstances attending Mrs. Bells sup
posed death ahd aroused the desire of
some medical expert to possess the BODY
tor the purpose Of an autopsy; that he
bad employed person to steal II, and
that the body-snatcher, discovering the
valuable jewel, had resolved to gain pos
session of it tor himself.
| Soon after this extraordinary occur
renee the vicar of the parish resigned his
living and removed his family totEngland.
Several years passed away, and the Incl
dents herein recorded were almost forgot
ten. Mrs. Bells father died, and Mr.. Bell
and his family Quilted Kilmare, and took
up their residence at Toxteth, near Liver
poool.
And now for the sequel.
| During the Chartist riots in 1S4o James
Blnns was arrested for murder and LODGED
IN Lancastefjail. He was tried, convict
ed and sentenced to be hanged Before
the last sentence Of the law was executed
he made confession of many crimes,
and. among the rest of his exploits, pro-
tessional body -snatchef, in which busi
ness he had been engaged for many wears.
The following facts are taken from his
confession:
In July, 1920, be was living in Belfast,
having fled from England to escape pun
ishment for his offenses. He had done
several small jobs in Belfast for the
doctors, and on the night of July 20, in
the year named, well-known physician
OF Belfast sent tor him and told him that
he had very delicate piece of work for
him to perform. A Mrs. Bell, lady Of
great beauty, and the wife of rich pro-
Prictor, had just died of very peculiar
disease, and the doctor and his associates
desired the body to investigate the cause
ofdeath. The doctors paid hin, so much
money down and dispatched him to
kllmare with such instructions as were
necessary. He was to secure the corpse,
and coach would be ready at the church
|
assistants who would be ready to assist
him at given signal. He went to Kimare
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
he could easily remove it. At midnight
he went to the churchyard armed with a
wrench, pair of shears, and picklock
. First satisfying himself that the coach
was in waiting, he entered the graveyard
and proceeded to the vault
Tie night was dark and rain was gfall-
ing. To his surprise, he saw that the
door was open and faint light burning
in side. Stealthily drawing near, he
glanced in. He saw the coffin lying
along the marble slab and in front of it
a woman was standing. A second glance
showed him that the woman was at work
trying to remove ring from the finger
OF the dead. A sudden thought struck
him and. slouching down, he reached in
!, at dor and with his shears, which he
had brought to rid the corpse of its
cumbersome shroud, he cut piece from
the skirt Of the womans dress and re-
retired unobserved, AS he remaiaed fo1
an instant peering into the strange
sence to his horror and aston.
ishment he saw the corpse arse and raise
the hand which the woman was appa1
emily i'll the act Of putting to her mouth
The woman gave Shrek, rushed
through door and fled, lehving the lamr
burning on the floor. The body snatch
er guessed at once the woman's design
and impressed with the conviction thai
she was person above the ordinary rank
he resolved to follow and see where sht
went to. He had no difficulty in track
ing the rapidly retreating figure
Itpassed out Of the churchyard at
small wicket on the north side of the
church and entered the parsonage. Salts
= fed that he possessed an important secret
). out Of which he could make money, ht
eturned to tie vault The light was still
! urning and he signalled the men il
waiting. They were soon on the spot, bu
! y entering the vauld they discovered tc
: their amazement, that the coffin wa!
empty. The body -snatcher kept his secre
and the mysterious disappearance of tn,
body was matter of unmixed surprise
Extinguishing the lamp, the men quit tn,
! churchyard, the body -snatcher returned
= to his headquarters at small inn and tn
= assistants going back to Belfast in tn
a carriage.
: The next morning the news of Mrs
e Bells restoration to life was abroad il
a the town. The body-snatcher fingered il
b the neighborhood until he ascertained tha
) the clergyman had quilted home for
n friends house. Then he called at tn,
1 parsonage and asked for the lady of tn
n house. It was with some difficulty tha
e he obtained an interview, ,as the domestic
: informed him that the lady was jndis
e posed and confined to her room. an
e business he said is OF very great import
e ance, and it is absolutely necessary that
n should see her." After the lapse of hal
a an hour middle aged, handsome, statel
:. lady entered the parlor, and gazing wit
k considerable dignity at her visitor said
e What is your business with me, sir!'
e Let me shut the door, ma'am, 'he saie
r and quickly stepping behind the lad,
closed the door. 81 think we have m.
Y before, ma am, he said in firm but
,e respectful tone.
/ 'sir2" the lady exclaimed in offende
accents.