The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1878-04-19

,eeth we're uiStlhctly visible for several
days alter Mis-. Bells resurrection.
Every effort was made to keep the re-
maIkable circumstance a secret from the
gossip of the neighborhood, nevertheless
every eXertion was used quietly to ascer-
tain VINO the rObber of the tomb was The
general impression was that tie garb of a
female was assumed as disguise, and that
the depredator was in reality a man, and
probably professional bndy-snatcher.
1t was thought that the remarkable cir
cumstances attending Mrs. Bells supposed
death had aroused the desire Of some med
zeal expert TO possess the body for the pur-
pose OF an autopsy, that he had EMPLOYED
person to steal It, and that the body
snatcher discovering the valuable Jewel,
had resolved to gain possession of it for
himself.
Soon after this extraordinary occurrence
the Vicar of the parish resigned his living
aud removed his family to England. Sew
eral years passed away, and the incidents
herein recorded were almost forgotten.
MIS-. Bell S father died, and MIR. Bell and
his family quilted Kilmare and took mn
theirresidence at Toxteth, near Liverpool.
During the CarliSt riots in 1910, james
Blnns was arrested for murder, and lodged
IN Lancaster Jail. He was tried convicted
and sentenced to be hanged. Before the
last sentence of the law was executed. lie
made confession of many crimes, and
among the leSt of his exploits as a pro-
tessloual body-snatcher, in which business
he had been engaged for many years Tue
following facts ale taken from his confess
Sion.
In July, 1920, he was living in Belfast,
having fled hom England to escape pun.
ishment for his uffenses. He done several
small jobs in Belfast for the doctors, and
on the night of July 2OIh, in the year nam
ed, well known physician of Belfast sent
Tor ann and told him he had very deli
cate piece of work for him to perform. A
Mrs. Bell, a lady of great beauty and the
wife OF rich proprietor, had just died of
very peculiar disease, and the doctor
and hIs associates desired the body to ill.,
vestigate the cause of death. The doctor
paid him SO much money down, and dis
patched him 20 kilmaTe with such instruc-
tons as were necessary. He was to secure
tie corpse, and a coach would be ready at
the church-yard gate. liz which there would
be two assistants, who would be reaoy to
aid him at the given signal.
lie went to kIlmare Oh the day of the
funeral, at which he was present. He ex-
amined the lock On the door of the vault
aud was sa isfied that he could easily re-
move 1t. At midnight he went TO the
church yard armed with wrench, a pair
of shears and pick lock. FiIst satisfy ing
himself that the coach was in waiting he
entered the grave yard and proceeded to
the vault.
The night was dark. and rain was falling
Creeping up by the side of the church lie
reached the tomb of the Bell family. TO
his surprise he saw that the door was open,
aud a faint light burning inside. Stealth
lily 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 a woman
was at wOIk trying To remove q ring from
the finger Of the dead. y sudden thought
struck him, and slouching down he reach
ed in at the door, aud with his shears,
which lac had brought to rid the corpse of
its cumbersome ShrOu6, lie cut a piece
from the skirts Of the wOman's dress aud
retired unobserved. As lie remained for
an Instance peering at the strange scene,
to his horror aud astoniShment he the
corpse rise aud raise The hand which the
woman was apparently in the act of put
ting 20 her mouth. The woman gave
shrek, rushed through the door aud fled,
leaving the lamp burning on the 1oor.
The body snatcher guessed at once the
woman's design, aud, impressed with the
conviction that she was peTSun above the
ordinary rank, he resolved to follow aud
see where she went 10. lie had no trouble
in tracking the rapidly retreatiug figure.
It passed out Of the church yard AZ small
enter ed the parsonage.
Satisfied that be possessed an important
secret, out of 81 ich he could make money,
he returned TO the vault. The light was
still burning, aud he signalled the men ia
waiting. They we're soon on the spot, but
on entering the vault they discovered TO
their utter amazement that the coffin was
empty.
The body -snatcher kept his secret, and
the mysterious disappearance was a mat
ter of unmixed surprise. distinguishing
the lamp the men quit the church yard,
the body suatcber returning to his quar-
ters in a small inn, and the assistants 60
ing oacll to Belfast in the carriage.
The next morning the news of Mrs. Bells
restoration to life was abroad in the town.
The body-snatcher fingered in the neigh
bOIhoOd until lie aSceTtained that the cier
gymau had quilted home for friends
house. Then lie called at the parsonage
and asked for the lady Of the house, It.
was with some difficulty that he obtained
an interview, as The domestic Informed
him that the lady was indispOsed aud con-
fined to her room.
My business" he said, sis of very
great importance, and il is absolutely ne
ccSSary that | should see her."
After the lapse of half an hour, mid
dle-aged handsome, stately lady entered
the parlOr, and. gazing with considerable
dignity at her visitor, said
''What is your business with me, sir p
''Let me shut the door, ma am, " he said,
and, quickly stepping behind the lady
closed the door.
'I think we have met before, ma'am,
he said i'm firm but respectful tone.
'Sir r' the lady exclaimed in offended
accents.
81 am sure we have met before, ma'am,"
the man said.
''You are mistaken" the lady replied,
''utterly mistaken, sir: you will OblIge me
by quitting the house Immediately"
"Iou forgot last night, ma'am, in the
vault" the man said in a low tone.
The cheeks of the lady evidently blanch-
ed aud she gave gasp for breath. In-
stantly recovering herself, she said
IL don't understand you, sir. You are
labOiiug under a mistake"
"WeH, | may be-" the man replied.
chats a fact but my impression was
that | saw you last night in the vault when
you were trying to remove the ring from
the finger of what you supposed to be