Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1878-11-18
LETTER FROM NEW YORK.
Special Correspondence.
NEW YORK, Nov. IL, 197


upon which the heavens have look for
many day was that discovered by the
sexton of st. Marks Church, on Thurs
day morning. Upon opening the church
gate, it became evident that the place
had been invaded during the night. A
dark lantern and shovel lay beside
heap of freshly upturned earth, directly
over the vault in which the body Of the
late A. I. Stewart was deposited, and
hasty examination of the premises re
vealed the astounding fact that the body
of the late millionaire had been remov-
ed.
The startling intelligence was at once;
sent to police headquarters, and Com
missioner Nichols, in company with ex-
Judge Hilton, (the present head of the
house of A. I. Stewart & Co.. proceed
ed to the spot, where it was found that
one of the three stones which covered
the opening of the desecrated vault, was
out of place. A small aperture about
twenty-five inches square was thus made
and through it the thieves must have
crept to effect their nefarious work.
The vault occupies commanding posi-
ton, being in the centre of the church
yard which fronts on Second avenue.
Three large trees toss their huge branch
es over the tomb, and their dark shad-
ows afforded protection to the six men
that must have been concerned in the
robbery. The vault is constructed of
brick, and is arched at the top. The
floor is twelve feet below the surface of
the ground, and granite stone stair
case leads to the bottom of the vault,
which is room eight by ten feet.
When Mr.. Stewards body was placed
there on the 10Th of April, 1876, it had
three receptacles first coffin of oak,
covered with velvet cloth, then leaden
case, Theoretically sealed, and lastly a
heavy cedar box.
The thieves, after unscrewing the
lid of the outer box. cut open the leader
case which enclosed the casket, with {
knife. showing that the work was no
done by professionals who would have
brought the ever-present Jimmy" int
play.
The leaden case once cut through, tn,
removal of the body was only the worl
of moment. At first thought it seem
almost incredible that such an act ennL
be successfully and secretly accomplish
ed in so public and exposed plac
as the St. Marks Church-yard: Blu
the explanatory circumstance is that th
: beat covered by the policeman on Sc
sond Avenue extend half mile abov
and below the scene of the robbery
: giving ample time for the thieves to lii
:. the body of Mr. Stewart from the vault
place it in some suitable receptacle,
carry it across the church-yard an
lift it over the high iron fence into
wagon.
In looking about for motive for tn
u outrage, that which stand out in grea
. est prominence is-reward for the reco'
y cry of the body. Judge Hilton declar,
g that no reward whatever will be offere
! and how the wretched matter will en-
y is past finding out until some new ligl
is thrown upon the subject. There hi
IL been prevailing idea that great |
g. of gold and valuables was buried Wi
70 the body, and since the discovery
l. the loss, it has come out that about
= month ago the sexton discovered TIL
% the marble slab at the head of the van
~ had been tempered with, and to decei
~ any person intending to rob the gra
AZ this slab was removed about twenty-fi
~ feet from the true entrance.
aS This shocking occurrence has excit
H. universal and deep indignation not on
'0 against the criminals but against t
police authorities. The latter cam
tn ignore the popular feeling, and IL
on circumstance, together with the prom
nd nence of the outraged family, has inc
&c them SO great activity. Every avail
J? bic detective is employed on the ca
se and the scene at police headquarte
,rs is one of much excitement. The matt
,ss of the object stolen renders its succe
wn full concealment next to impossible a
OF the arrest of these ghouls in human fir,
it is almost hourly expected. 1t will
ICE hard with them if caught: for |
lat necessity Of making an example is OF
rs, too evident. AS Mr.. William Lib
in (Mr. Stewards partner) exclaimed
Id. learning of the robbery; at is at
ore cious. diabolical A city in which !
to even the dead are permitted to rest il
ON good city to get away from. There d
i'm not seem to be any protection"
nd 1t was the intention of the family
ms remove Mr. Stewards remains to iii
ties resting place in the magnificent mau
is leum now building at Garden CT
yer Long Island. and should they be rec
ort cred, this disposition will probably
ity made of them.
WIS With the usual noisy demonstrate
the polling places. and the flashing