The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-01-12

WAS NTR0DUCED-MR. SMITH, THE
KEEPER AT OAKwOoD, EXAMINED-wHAT
THE RECORD SHOws-MR. SMITHS STATE
MENTs-DUTIEs OF KEEPERs-NUMBER
OF BODIES TAKEN-THE HERALD's sUG-
GEsTIoNs, &C.
The Council Committee on Cemeteries
commenced their investigation into the
Oakwood grave-robberies on Saturday, the
meeting being held in the Council cham
ber. Present: Messrs. Mcdowell (chair-
manl, Kelly, Hayes, and Pollock.
The committee had very little business TO
transact other than the Investigation refer
red to, and therefore only few moments
were occupied in disposing OF the rou-
tine matters before them, at the con-
cusion Of which Mr.. Hayes, addressing
the committee, referred to the recent publi-
cations concerning the operations of the
"ghouls " in Oakwood and its vicinity,
and thought IL would be well for the COM
mittee to make full investigation Of the
subject. Personally, lie desired the bllme
to rest where it properly belonged lie
shirked no responsibility. In a recent con-
versation with Mr.. Mcdowell (the chair.
man) Mr.. Hayes said he bad then been for
THE INVESTIGATION OPENED.
This fairly brought up the grave-robbing
business; and by direction Of the chairman
the secretary read from the records the fol-
lowing resolution adopted by the committee
December 90. 1S7S
" ReSOtved, That the Keeper OF Oakwood
Cemetery be, and he is hereby, instructed
10 guard and protect TO the very best of his
"a al
and prevent the removal Of remains from
the same"
At this meeting OF the committee, held at
the City Hall, there were present the follow
ing members OF the committee: w. J. Me-
Dowell, chairman, and Mcssrs. L. ID. Kelly,
A. w. Pierce, and &. B. Lipscomb Mr..
HAYES being absent on account OF sickness,
but afterwards stated that he heartily con-
Cured in the action OF the committee.
After transacting some routine business
the committee visited Oakwood Cemetery.
After inspecting the grounds the committee
proceeded 10 the office OF the keeper, Mr..
w. l.. Smith. who made the following
communication:
DOCTOR BLANK.
He stated that DR.. - had requested
him in case he saw any one employed by the
remains from the cemetery that he would
not interfere with them; and that he bad
replied TO him Uhe Doctor that he would
protect every grave in the cemetery to the
very best OF his ability. After some con-
yersatiOn on the part OF the members, in
which all expressed the greatest indigna-
tion. Mr.. Lpscomb offered the resolution
above reported, and the following
PocnI1,oI f3,Tfb6T That Ilr no
respectfully informed by the secretary that
his request to The Keeper OF Oakwood Gem
etery not to molest or interfere with any OF
the agents of the Medical College that he
may detect in the effort TO remove dead
bodies from the cemetery meets with the
unqualified disapproval of the committee,
and that they will use all the means in their
power to have the law relating TO this sub
iect executed"
DOCTOR BLANK GETS THE LETTER.
Mr.. B. 7. August, the secretary OF the
committee, immediately wrote letter to
DR.. -, informing him OF the action OF
the committee, and enclosing a copy OF the
resolution. The Doctor met him and ac-
knOwledged the receipt VI the 1rttcr, Dut
never communicated the fact that he had
received it TO the committee. The records
OF the committee do not show that they
were ever informed by the Keeper OF the
Cemetery that graves had ever been robbed,
and this was the first time that they had been
notified that the graves were likely to be
robbed.
WHAT ACTION THE KEEPER TOOK TO STOP THE
ROBBERY.
The investigation proceeded, and Mr..
Hayes said that he desired to be informed
what steps Mr.. Smith, the keeper OF Oak
wood, had taken to prevent the depreGa-
tons: and on his motion Mr.. Smith, who
was present, was invited to make state
ment. He said substantially:
" When the first IntimatiOn came to me
that ANYTHING OF the kind was TO be done
by DR.. - Immediately reported the fact
to the Cemetery Committee at their meeting
held December %, 1878. desire to state
her that | never have stated TO any one
that the committee did not take any action
at that time. But since the graye-robbing
actually commenced (SOme two or three
months ago, when it was frst0bseryed by
me) immediately notified he'chairman OF
the committee that it had been done, and
asked Cor guard 10 prevent the same, but
without effect. When | first noticed the
second depreciation l reported again to the
chairman with Ike result.
THE PAuf ERS GRANES.
"The chairman told me that when these
people (the paupers) placed themselves in
the hands of the charity Of the city, they had
no reasOnto expect anything else. The chair
man acknowledged TO me that he had re-
ceiyed both Of these notices. The depre-
datiOns still going on, | wrote a very point
ed official communication 10 the chairman,
stating that about nineteen graves had been
rIfed, and in the name of humanity asked
for some aid to prevent this traffic OF human
flesh. This the chairman also acknowledged
30 have received. Failing TO get protection
from this source, and believing that the Pc
lice authorities OF Richmond had the pow CT
10 prevent the depredaliOns, officially re-
ported the above fact 10 a sergeant of said
force that he notify the chief CT said force
to send me a detail Of policemen TO prevent
tbs inhumanity."
PROTECTION FROM THE POLICE.
Question by Mr.. Kelly: Why did you
ask for protection frem the police:
Mr.. Smith: Because | believed the police
bad jurisdiction, and still believe it, |
,sd applied to the committee and failed to
Il any protection, and this was the only
, tfess left me.
n bis is about all have TO say in defence
m position as Keeper Of Oakwood Gem
cry. u o,o A..
AL, 'ually or with the force at your COM
ia 70 stop these depredations
Mr. s Nth | have made every effort
,rsonall within my power.
4 TEE-DOLLAR NOTE.
Mr. Ko,lx =: Didn't you acknowledge to