Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-03-22
Two Body Snatchers Captured.

They AYE CAUGHT WHILE RoBBING GRAVE.
Body- snatching If carried on at all In this
District within few years past has been so
quietly conducted as not to attract attention
until Saturday night last, when it apDears two
persons were arrested IN the act Of fooeing
grave In the potter's field. The arrest and con-
Vlcl1on some years ago Of Christian, the resur-
fectioniSt, aroused such storm Of Indignation
in this community when the disgusting details
were published In THE STAR with the contents
OF the memorandum book kept by Christian, and
which fell into the hands Of STAR reporter,
that it was hoped nothing OF the kind would be
attempted here again. Several days since how
ever Mr. Geo. A. CaSwell, intendant and COM
missioner OF the Washington almshouse, be-
came aware that panel Of the fence inclosing
the potter'S field had been removed and two bo-
dies stolen The graves were opened In the
night. and the next morning they were found
left open, with pieces of the collins and of the
grave clothes scattered around. Orders were
given to have this enclosure watched every
night and q report made to the intendant
every morning. Saturday night word was sent
to him that a covered wagon and two men
had passed down the road leading to the Gene
terry. This was about O'Clock. Mr. Caswell's
men received their orders how to proceed and
were stationed so as to prevent the escape of
the men, and all slowly approached the enclo-
sure, where it was discovered that the robbers
had dug down to coffin some four feet below
the surface. They were both at work digging
Wnen CaSwell called upon them to surrender
At the same time all of his aids rushed upon the
depredators at the same moment, and they were
thus easily secured. 1t was then found that
one was white man and the other a color d
man. The white man gave his name as John
Spedden, DO years old, and said he had been in
the business for more than ten years. He said
he would soon be released from arrest and wou d
return to the business again. The colored man
gave the name Of Richard Tilghman, IS years
old, had never before been engaged in such a
job, but had been hired in this particular case.
over to the police. and were sent to the eighth
precinct station. The tools and implements were
seZed by Mr.. Caswell. They were two spades.
graphing irons, Ratchet and stout canvas
bag. The horse and wagon were also retained
until the owner calls for it. Spedden would not
talk much, but spoke confidentially Of getting
easily out of the difficulty. 1t is thought that
he halls from Baltimore, and had been engaged
In most OF the large cities for several years In
this business.
The bodies these men were after were those
OF coloIed persons who had been recently in
tered in the pottef's field
1t was ascertained to-day that the horse and
wagon belong TO one Jansen, who was several
years ago arrested by Detective McDev1tt with
Billy Forrest, the noted craftsman, who was re-
turned to the authorities of Illinois and is now
serving time in the Joliet prison for house
breaking. 1t was at that time believed that
Jansen was travelling With Forrest, but he was
released, and since that time has been living in
this city, and, so far as is known, conducting
himself tn a quiet and honest manner. The
implements used by the resurrectionists were
at the Police Court this morning. Spedden first
gave the name of Jansen, but afterwards adj
= Ii.
that he was in the employ Of Jansen. 1t is well
known among the police that Jansen has been
employed to furnish cadavers for the medical
colleges in this District. but with the under
standing that he was not to disturb the GENE
teries. The fact that graves in several of the
cemeteries had been tempered with was made
known to the authorities and Jansen was sent
for, but denied that he had anything 10 do with
II, stating that the colleges had all closed and
he had suspended operations for the season.
IN THE POLICE COURT TODAY
Spedden and Tilghman was called up, when MI.
Sweet, for the prisoners, moved a postpone
ment OF the hearing SAYING there were several
Intricate points OF law to be inquired into. Mr.
Padgett thought the hearing should proceed, as
the charge was laid on violation of an act en-
tirely within the jurisdiction Of the Police Court
The court decided to proceed, and Mr.. Caswel
commissioner and intendent Of the Washington
Asylum. took the stand, and gave testimony to
the effect as above stated. He said when they
reached the potters field these men had parti-
ally unearthed two collins, and the lid of one
was broken off, They made their entrance in
to the grounds by breaking away portion OF
the fence. Martin, alias Reddy WEIGH, driver of
the dead wagon for the almshouse hospital tes-
Titled TO about the same effect, and another en-
ploy6 also gave testimony. WEIGH testified that
Spedden said he would soon be back, and get
the bodies they were after Mr.. Padgett read
the act relating to burial grounds, fixing pen
atty OF not less than 50, nor more than 500 for
disturbing or distiguring fences or graves. The
court imposed a fine Of 500 or 90 days in Jail
An appeal was taken, and bonds fixed at 500.
THE PRISONERS
were sent back to the cells. Spedden is a short
thick-set white man, with scar across his nose
and has dOWn-caSt look, as If ashamed of HIM
self for being engaged In so mean a business
Tflghman is very tall, broad shOuldered col
ored man, very black, and is decidedly the best
he connected with the transaction, as he was
not present.