The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-04-09
LoUIsvILLE's DISGRACE.
Paupers' Bodies in POtter's Field Rooted
from Their Graves by Hogs and Eaten
by Dogs-A Most Horrible Story.

LOUISVILLE, April S.-The Courier-J Journal
this morning publishes horrible story of
the potter's field in this city. People living
in the neighborhood have told sickening
stories of bodies lying almost upon the sur
face of the earth and a prey to hungry dogs
prowling in the neighborhood. During the
time that Ruhl was city undertaken terrible
fuss was raised about the way in which the
graveyard was kept. The cofins furnished
were made of the toughest kind of unplaned
planks, poorly constructed, and the graves
were so shallow that the first rain which
fell on the ground washed the contents
of the grave into view. Some months
ago Ruhl was convicted of a crime
and removed from Office his successor being
August Lefert 1t seems, however, that the
latter took no notice of the charges which
had been made against his predecessor in the
unenviable position, and followed his exam
pie in burying the dead. During the past
few weeks much talk has been INDUCED in
on the subject IT was stated that the grave
yard was in such plight as to be revolving
to the eyes. The coffins were barely sunk
below the surface, and in many cases exposed
ehouls or some stray dog to whet his appe-
tite upon. One gentleman says that on one
occasion some of the paupers came to him
and said that body was lying on top of the
ground He says: 81 Immediately went out
to investigate the matter, and a horrible
sight met my eyes. The body was that of a
very large negro man who had died with the
smallpox. The body had been put in a
wooden box, such as are used. and hauled
out by the city undertaken. When the grave
yard was reached they lifted the box out of
the wagon, and threw it on the ground,
driving off in terror lest the disease should
be communicated to them The shock broke
the fastening of the box and it fell to pieces,
letting the corpse roll out upon the ground.
The body was nearly naked, the clothing
having been torn by dogs, and was covered
with eruptlons which attend such diseases.
The face was mass of corruption, petrifica-
ton having already commenced, and in one
or two places some starving dog, unterrified
by the sight, had torn away pieces of the
flesh. Several instances, hardly as bad as
that but still revolving in character, have
occurred, and the people are greatly enraged
about it. 20
snatchers. I do not think that single body
which has been buried in that graveyard,
save those who have died of smallpox or
other contagious diseases, have remained in
the coffins for two hours. Not night passes
but trip is made to the spot and some grave
desecrated. The manner in which the bodies
are stolen is shameful, and the ghouls have
gotten so careless about the matter that they
Sometimes leave the coffin lying on the top
Of the ground after having robbed it OF its
ghastly contents"
1t is also stated that in several instances
the hogs rooted up coffins of yellow fever
victims, and scattered the bones about. The
reporter examined the field, and says a more
shocking spectacle cannot be conceived of.