The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-08-16
THE STOLEN REMAINS
A Canadian Correspondent Claims
to Have Traced Them.
A T M O N T r E A l..
Brought in a Canal Boat Under
a Cargo Of Coal.
A T M O N T r E A l.
POINTS FOR SUPERINTENDENT WALLING
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD. ]

lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
MONTREAL. August Is. 1879.
About the 9th of November last the close of
navigation single canal boat came up the st. Law
renee in tow OF the propeller Quaker City. The
boat contained only light cargo The unusual
sight of an almost empty boat paying
heavy towage charges excited comment.
Wharf loungers could not comprehend its
unusual appearance. In few hours 1t
was moored to wharf in the canal basin at the foot
OF Colborn street. Several coal beavers visited It,.
anticipating discharge of cargo. but only few
tons were apparent The Captain carried a six
shooter. drank and swore heavily. and affected a
braggadoco STYLE Dragging when drunk of the great
shooting he had done. The boat lay at her moorngs
tor several days before the arrival reported to
Torrance L. Co.. the agents for the Whitehall
Transportation Company. When reported the
Captain registered the boat the W. o. Shelton
New York, Captain Callahan, with eighty tons Of
COAL one-third of the vessels capacity permit to
enter the canal was obtained under the assumed
title CT Captain Gesghehaw. He was tall, gaunt
man, with prominent cheek bones, shaded with
dark whskers, and heavy mustache He
had q general rakish and suspicious appear
ance. The crew consisted or mate and
deck hand, who complained of not being
paid though the skipper spent his money lavishy
ashore. They said when he run short. he obtained
money from some New York parties River Police
man James Morris was detailed to watch
for coal thieves. On Monday night. No
vember IL. he slowed himself away behind
apple barrels where all could be without show
ing himself. No thieves caused interruption. at
a quarter to eight o'clock he saw the crew
of the Shelton come deck and start
shovelling away coal. They then descended
into the hold. where shovelling took
place. This operation concluded. the men
came on deck and. resting their shovels awaited
the appearance of third party. They did not tarry
long before low dark hack. bearing the appearance
OF private carriage. drove up.
PECULIAR MOVEMENTS.
Captain Callahan jumped out with three compan-
ions, OF dered the driver to into q shady spot
and there wait This vehicle followed
by q single horse wagon. the driver of
which was evidently following the former. 1t
was galloping past the captain and companions
when he hailed The driver recognized the signal
pulled up his horse and dismounted The wagon
was then backed against the barge. All hands
descended into the hold and with great labor APP
peared carrying heavy coal begrmed box measuring
about three feet wide by six feet long, This
hastily pushed on the wagon, two men mounted the
This. combined with the nights occurrence,
impressed him with the belief that that
box contained A. L. Stewards remains. He re-
ported the transaction, and mentioned his suspi-
cions to Chic! Murphy of the River Police. The
Captain and three companions jumped into the
carriage and followed The vehiches were
Swallowed along Common. McGill and Craig streets.
At the junction of the latter with Bleury
street. all traces lost. and the chase abandoned
James Morris. the silent Waterman. had observed
the entire transaction. He was gifted with uncom-
mon astuteness, and proved equal to the occasion.
On o previous morning he had read in the New York
HERALD tn account of the grave Dissertation. A foot
note stated that it was probable the remains would
be removed to Montreal
wALIING NOTIFIED.
In the early part of the evening his attention
was attracted to an intolerable stencil which ema-
mated from the canaboat W. o. Shelton.
The following telegram was sent to Superintendent
waIng. New York.
The body of A. T. Stewart some other wealthy
person smuggled into Montreal last night. Send
complaint. Cannot act without it.
GEORGE MURPHY. Chief of River Police"
Answer received tho same day:-'"rhe body
could not possibly reach Montreal within eight days
You have been deceived. WALLING."
Judge Hilton also received message
but acting on wallings advice refused to act.
BODY EMDALMED REMOVED AGAIN.
Morris next undertook to find the accom- plices.
At the time of the removal he noticed it required
great force to back the horse Disguised as q
horse trader he visited the principal dray-
mems stands. While attsntivey examining
fine horse he called aside by by.
stander who said. Don't buy that horse it takes
twelve men to back him." Ho compared the de-
scrption of the vehicles and reoced to
favorable result. He induced by threats to
coufess to him. lie eaid he had brought u body to
q medical college for embalming. when he again
removed it. Morris again wired Walling and the
same disheartening refusal was received. He then
turned his attention to Callahan. The Captain ap-
pcared to be literally supplied with money
and was constantly drunk. He neglected his boat.
which became Ice hound and had to rough it ali
the winter in the ice. Callahan after drunk Of u
greater than usual duration. disappeared.
rowED pI.AIIsDURG.
His crew succeeded In obtaining their money
When questioned by HERALD reporter
he said the W. o. Shelton cleared from Canal
street. The boat towed to Piatts-
burg alone, making a fast trip. The boat
only contained eighty tons of coal. Did not know
the object of the trip. At Plattsburg the long
box was received from tho Delaware and Hudson
Canal Companys freight house and transhipped
to the boat. This step rendered. necessary by
the vigilance of Canadian customs officers. who
carefully examined all packages In transit by rail.
Loaded canal boats exempt from this search.
The feeling here is that superintendent waing has
been duped. Great excitement exists regarding IL.
The Montreal Post reporters claim to have i'm.
portant information which they retain.