National Republican., 1880-03-22
A CHASTITY TRADE.
Grave Robbers Caught at Work In
the "Potter's Field"
superintendent Caswen Lays n Trap and
Arrests Two of Them-CheerfuI View
ofthe Situation Taken by the Chief
Hobber-Over the Hills to the
Pourhouse-.The Path Of
the Resurrcc ctio ionists,
DespoIlIng Paupers, Graves.

Since tho arrest and disappearance of the
grave.robber Christian and his companions
several years ago. Washington has been APP
parcntly unmolestcd by these ghouls. Last
Saturday night, however, two arrests were
made by which u systematic course of grave.
robbing Mt the "Potter's Field" here during
tho past two or throe years was proven. The
subjects were osteusbly taken for the use of
tho Medical colleges in Washington, hut there
is every reason TO suppose th t other cities
have also been benefited. Tho circumstances
which led to the arrest were stated BY Mr..
George w. Caswell, inteudant of tho WASH
mgton Asylum, to " representative of THE
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN, last night to be rs
follows:
About a week ago it was reported to him
that panel of the fence surrounding the
"Potter's Field" had been removed and two
bodies taken from graves, which were left uu
covered, pieces of tho coflins aud grave clothes
being scattered about. There was no clue left
by the robbers, but orders were given to watch
the "Potter's Field" every night and to report
any unusual circumstance Mt once to the in-
tendant. Last Saturday night, shortly after
8 O'clock, Mr.. Caswel received word that
covered wagon containing two men had just
gone down the road between the jail aud asy-
lum, toward "Potter's Field" Steps were at
once taken TO capture tho ntrudcrs, and Mr..
Caswell stationed his forces in such manner
as to make escape impossible. The approach
to the "Potter's Field" wns attended with cOu.
siderable caution, aud nearly AN hour had
elapsed from the time the wagon was irst re-
ported until the bcsiegers hove in sight of the
enemy. The two men had not been idle
meanwhile, but had succeeded in digging
down to the coffin four feet below the sur
face, and when summoned to surrender their
bodies, were completely obscured by earth.
Mr.. Caswcll and his men rushed up to the
newly opened graves, and tho two culprits
finding resistance useless, allowed themselves
to be arrested 1t was then found that one of
the men was white aud the other colorcd the
former considerably intoxicated. Upon being
questioned, the white man said his name was
John Spodden, that he was forty years old,
aud had been engaged in resnrrecting bodies
for medical colleges UPWARDS of ten years. He
took his capture very coolly, and boosted that
he would not be under arrest long, and would
| return for the bodies MS soon rs he was re.
| leased. Tho coorcd man gave his name rs
Richard Tillman, said that he was twenty
| eight years old, had never engaged in such
business before but was hired for this job only.
| Mr.. Caswell decided to take his prisoners to
| the statiOn.house and turn them over to the
police for their action. Accordingly they
| were escorted 10 the Eighth precinct station
and locked up The tools used by the robbers
were all seized by Mr. Caswell. They con-
sisted oftwo spades, set OF graphing irons,
|
aud wagon were also seized and will be held
until their owner calls for them.
| Speddeu was next visited by n represents
| tive of THE NATIONAL REPUBLICAN. He
was enjoying IL nap ia his cell at the Eighth
precinct station, and when first spoken 10 de-
| cincd to say anything about the matter.
Finally he was persuaded to talk II little, and
arising from his bunk pccred through the bars
ut his visitor, Ho is u man OF medium stat
ure, weighs about $50 pounds, clean shaved
and has very gray, thin hair. His features
are very repulsivc, and scar across his nose
did not add much to his attraCtivcucss He
wore tho same clothes in which he was cap
tured, mud marking every portion of them.
| The colored man could NOT be prevailed upon
to get up, but viewed in his recum-
bent position appeared to be dark, thin
parsonage, with slight moustache Spedden
seemed to be fully impressed with the con
| vction that nothing could be done with him
for taking the Stiits," rs ne expressed it, rs he
| had TOO many influential friends. "Why
| have had everything fixed since o'clock to-
day." said he; "it has been as good as II show
| to see the gentlemen who come to the front
| for me-" A further inquiry revealed the fact
that he belonged in Baltimore. and had
worked Mt grave robbing in Cincinnati, New
| York aud this city for the past ten years. He
| carried Oh business during the day us huclI-
ster around the streets and ut night secured
subjects. at takes Il man Of nerve to do such
work, and as l always get good pay, why, l
| like it," said he. ~ never carry n
weapon of any kind not even a knife.
When | got the grave open l take the body
out of tle cotliu and nut IL in bag. 1t would
not do for me to take away the coffin or grave
clothes, as | could he arrested for petit lar.
ceny." Upon being asked whothor he ever Wis
tied any other places eXG,ptt the Potter's field for
subjects, he gave an evasive answer, saying he
did not want TO get himself in trouble by tell
ing all he knew. He WIS not in the least
dOwnhearted at the prospect of going to court,
being confident that his case WAS IN good hands,
Judge Smell will dispose of the matter to-day.