, 1883-08-11
A HELLISH ACT.


No little excitement was OccasiOned
this week by report that gained
circulation that an attempt had been
made at body-snatching in the cem-
etery at this place, and on investlga-
ton we learned the particulars of one
Of the most singular circumstances
that has ever come under our OBJ
servation. Last Tuesday afternoon
several ladies, bent on the sad mis-
sion of visiting the last resting place
Of friends, drove out to the new.
cemetery, situated about a mile south
of the city, and while engaged in
their work Of love had their atten-
tiOn attracted to A. NJ. CannOn's lot,
where the remains Of Mr.. Cs step
son, Geo. Clark, had been buried last
April, and were Mortified to discover
that the earth had been removed
from the grave. Without stopping
to investigate the ladies returned to
the city, but it was late at night be-
fore ML-CannOn received word OF
the circumstances. That gentleman,
In company with DIR. C.S. Penfield,
Immediately proceeded to the ceme-
terry. On examination with a lantern
it was found that the dirt had been
entirely removed from the grave, a
portion Of the lid Of the case re-
moved, the oval plate Of the Casket
torn off and a round hole about the
size Of a mans fist broken in the
glass, exposing the features to view,
but further than that the body was
not disturbed. 1t is utterly impOssi-
bic to understand the motives that
would lead men to commit such a
deed. The cemetery is remote from
any habitatiOn and seldom visited,
and it is hardly probable that the
perpetrators could have been fright
ened from their work. 1t is further
impossible to say when the excava-
tiOn was made, although the indlca-
tiOns are that it was very recent 1t
is not likely that men were looking
for a Subject" for dissection, for it
would be next to an impossibility to
ship body at this season of the year
to any point where it could be used.
Besides, If that was their object,
there was nothing to prevent them
from carrying it out, as the remains
were accessible and as well preserved
as a fresh corpse. An idea is enter
tanned that the grave robbers started
in with the intention Of carrying off
the body and then awaiting a reward
for its return. This may have been
the case, and when almost cOmplet-
ing their nefariOus work the scoun-
drels may have realized the i'm
practicability Of carrying out such a
scheme in a country like this, and
gave up the job just as they were
about to complete their plans. All
theories are purely problematic, and
the horrible act will remain mys-
terry for ever, no doubt. The people
here felt very indignant over the
outrage, not only on account Of the
family, but also Of the high esteem
that everybody entertained for the
lamented young Clark during his
life time. Few young men have
passed away so universally re-
GREETED. With a bright, sunny
disposition, warm heart, a kindly
word for everyone, he had so ingraft-
ed himself into the hearts Of those
who had the pleasure of knowing
him that when the dark angel set
tied over his fever-racked form and
his spirit passed away to that realm
beyond, strong, rough men bowed
down their heads and eyes that
"hardly knewa manly tear" dropped
many heart-felt,pearl to the menu
Ory Of the noble boy. And feeling
as they did toward the youth II the
persons who desecrated his narrow
home could be apprehended it is
pretty certain that they would meet
swift and sure retributiOn.