The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-11-11
Stewards Body--A Reward OF Twenty.
five Thousand Dollars.
From SATURDAYS Herald. !

When Judge Hilton left police headquar-
tiers on Thursday afternoon he drove di-
rcc;lv TO Mrs. Stewards residence, on Thir-
ty-iour,h street. where his coming was
anxiouSly awaited by the widow Of his old
friend and partner. A rumor OF trouble in
the graveyard had already reached the ears
OF Mrs. Stewart. now nearly seventy-ive
years OF age. but no one had dared take it
upon herself to break the news to her.
When Judge Hilton arrived he told her the
whole story in careful language, and en-
dcavorcd 10 reaSSure her by assuming the
certain recovery OF the stolen body. Mrs.
Stewart. though an old lady, is 4 Wcll-pre-
served woman, OF strong common sense;
but this strange story was more than even
she could bear with equanimity. She sat like
one dazcd, and appeared Frustrated by the
intelligence. Her first thought, however,
WAS to do something. and she at once sug-
gesied that Il large reward should be offered.
Judge Hilton had promised the police that
lie would do nothing Of the kind without
their sanction, and he knew that they were
divided in opinion as to the deSirablllty OF
reward. He wanted to keep faith with
them. but his own feelings prompted him to
do rs Mrs. Stewart suggested. Finally Mr..
Libbcy came in, and the three talked it over
calmly and with interest. Mr. Libbey, like
Judge Hilton, felt willing 10 spend any
amount OF money to detect and punish the
scoundrelS, but was outspoken in bis refusal
to pay oRc dollar of compromise or black
mail. GraSpiug the situation Judge Hilton
took his pencil and wrote the following
card:
TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS RE-
wARD.-Wbereas IN the early morning OF
November :, 1878. the vault Of the late
Alexander r. Stewart, in st. Marks church
yard, in this city, was broken into and his
remains removed therefrom,
''By direction Of Mrs. \. T. Stewart the
above reward is offered and will be paid for
the return OF the body and information
which will convict the parties who were en-
gagged III the outrage.
"Or liberal reward will be paid for in
formation which will lead to either OF these
results. HENRY HILTON,
:: Broadway and Chambers street.
Nelc York, November S, 1875"
Judge Hilton first wrote $4,000, then
$40, coo, and finally changed the first cipher
70 five, as he said be was DESTROYS TO offer
what would be an indication OF the feeling
experienced and what would seem adequate
TO the public, while, at the same time, he
did not oyerstep the mark by offering too
much. Mrs. Stewart was entirely. satisfied
by Judge Hiton'S conclusion aud somewhat
,soothed By his assurances, but yesterday
morning found her respondent and pros
irate. She remained in bed, took no
breakfast, and was as broken as q woman
Of her years and tender memories would
naturally be. She was the wife OF Dir.
Stewart over fifty years. They were mar
ried when very young, and always led re-
markabiy peaceful and happy life OF mutual
regard and help; She invariably addressed
her husband as g Honey" and he called her
"My dear" An intimate In the family for
nearly twenty years said that he had never
witnessed ''sceue" in their home; that
be never heard Mrs. Stewart speak to her
husband by any other name than /" Honey"
and that their married life was notably free
from quarreIs. Mrs. Stewards friends have
overwhelmed the house since the news OF
the missing body was told, but aside from
the Hiltons and her niece, and her most in.
innate associates, she sees none OF them. z
AS so much has been said abont the SEX
ton (HammiD 10 his discredit, it is but fair
TO report that the paster, Rev. DR.. Rylance,
gives him an excellent reputation and places
every confidence In him. Yesterday Mr.
Hamnlii said: 8. The fact is that Mr. Stew
art didn't weigh one hundred pounds when
he died. ] dressed him, and j know all
about what was done at the funeral. The
body, noWttWo years and over In the vault,
must be pretty well spent. Ibelieyc II viii
be found. ] don't believe it possible TO
keepli above tie ground. II it We're put
but Two feet under the ground it could he
KEPT. see no difficulty in the way OF
identifying 1t if found = ! dresseddif ana
could remember Tie clothing. The hajr'