National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-01-29
GOBBLED GHOULS.
THE oRAvE-RoBBERs IN JAIL.
Another Day Of Excitement in MISUNDERSTANDING
mary Hearing Before the Mayor-Two OF the
Five Prisoners Released = A Wash
ington doctor Involved.

Baptist Carpenter. Reuben Massey, Chris. Gas
kins, and Thomas Vaughan, grave-diggers. ana
Albert Butler, colored driver connected with an
undertaking, establishment charged with the re-
cent grave robbing in the city of Alexandria, were
brought before the mayor of that city and Justices
Thompson and Whittlesey for hearing yesterday
morning. The excitement connected with the
| discovery of the horrible crime had not abated,
and, as consequence, the stationhouse was
thronged with spectators, both white and eolored
There was considerable feeling manifested, and at
one time the safety of the accused seemed en-
dangered. Albert Butler was the first placed on
trial Mr.. s. G. Brent appeared for the state and
Mr.. John NJ. Johnson for the accused.
The warrant against this defendant charged
him with the unlawful removal OF the BODIES OF
Miss Elmira Jacobs and Susan Jane Simms from
their graves in the Presbyterian and VI. Z. Church
South cemeteries on the night of the 10th instant
Baptist Carpenter testified that he was grave
digger and was home all of Monday night, but did
not go home on Tuesday night until nine O'Clock ;
thathe saw the defendant on Monday night with
the coffin case of Miss Simms; Butler asked him
if he wanted to make some money; said he the
witness) could make four or five dollars between
bodies; that he knew doctor in Washington who
would give s. piece for subjects; Butler came to
see him again Tuesday night on the subject, and
he 1.-THE witness tod him he would not do such q
job for fifty dollars.
Butler did not tell him the name Of the doctor
in Washington who wanted the subject, but said
Butler called to see him again on Tuesday, and
asked him if he going to take the job; that he
could get 81 apiece for the bodies.
Mr.. John G. Phillips testified that he was at the
Washington and Alexandria depot on Tuesday
night, and after placing the mail in the ears he
went into the sitting room of the depot. He was
not there long before a heavy-bearded, respecta-
blelooking gentleman came in much excited. The
stranger asked if there were any wagon-driverS
he stated that he was Dr. Riley of Washington, and
that EghtcOlored man who had promised TO
meet him there had disappointed him. The man
wanted dr2He %ago and me ne h0pgn5 ne N was
land, who kept grocery store on FOurand-a-half
street, Washington, did.
Thomas Vaughn, colorcd asgraye-digger and one
of the accused, testified that Albert Butler came to
him Wednesday night and told him that he would
give him (Vaughnl s. to watch while he went up
to the acknowledgements graveyard to take up
bodies; that he wanted that" body, but did not
say what body lit was; he agreed and went off to
the foddcr-stack in the yard where he lived
Spring Garden, in Graveyard lane, and Butler
went on to the graveyard; this was about eight
o'clock; he did not wake up till he was scared out
by the wind and the noise of wagon; he then
left the fodder but went back again, and some
time afterward saw parties going up the lane with
light.
Charles Gaskns and Reuben Massey denied hav-
ing any connection with or knowledge of the
case.
officer Goodrich, Emanuel Webb, and Walter
Daily testified, but brought forth no additional
facts.
George Denton. employed at the switch-house of
the Virginia Midland depot, recognized Carpenter
as the man who crossed the railroad track with
bag.
Marshal Cheshire corroborated the last witness
G. A. LumpIins, for the defense testified that
Butler after eating supper at his house at halfpaS
seven o'clock Wednesday night, left and returned
about halfpast nine o'clock, and went to bed re-
manning there until twelve o'clock, when called
for by Officer Goodrich to go TO the graveyard after
the body.
The defendant admitted that he told Carpenter
that he could get - apiece for bodies but said he
meant it in fun. He said also that he did not have
a conversation with Vaughan on Wednesday
night, and that during his absence from Lump
kin's boarding-house he was at Mr.. Fegan's store.
After consultation the mayor announced that the
court had decided unanimously 10 send the case to
the grand jury.
After recess the hearing proceeded with the
other cases. Reuben Massey and Charles Hoskins
were discharged, there being no evidence against
them. Baptist Carpenter and Thomas Vaughan
were sent before the grand jury and bail fixed
in each case at $3.50. Suspicious are now enter
tanned that other bodies have been removed from
the different cemeteries, and many people are
anxious to have searches made to see that the re-
mains of relatives and friends have not been dis.
turbed since their interment