Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-03-07
THE GRAVEYARD OUTRAGE.
Another Arrest Made-Revolting Facts
Given by witnesses.


Given by Witnesses.
An absorbing subject of conversation in
Sacramento yesterday was the evidence OF
the operation Of body-snatchers in the ceme-
teries of the city. detailed in the last issue of
the RECORD UNION. Excitement on the sub
ject was increased during the day when it
was learned that officer jackson and Health
Officer Ferral had found in the building &C.
cupied by George D. Gardner, and where the
remains supposed to be those of John FL.
Lyon were discovered Wednesday,
ANOTHER HORRIBLE EVIDENCE
OF rsscality, In the form of skeleton hand,
arm and shoulder blade, all connected. and so
dry as to indicate that the flesh had been re-
moved several days. or possibly weeks, pre-
viously. The hand was long and narrow, and
the fingers so small and tapering as to
lead to the belief that it was that of a
woman. The officers also found in one corner
of Gardeners dissectiug place a package of
clothing, supposed to have been the garments
worn by Lyon in his coffin. An effort will
be made to ascertain whether this SUPPOSE
tion is correct. Officer jackson went down
to Gait yesterday morning and procured
very important witness, named Charles Gran
DALI whom he brought back with him, end
two other witnesses were found in the city,
the statements of all of whom are given be-
low. It WAS
DEEMED PROPER TO ARREST
Charles Gardner, a younger brother of Good,
and he was accordingly taken into custody.
His statement sdds to the evidence against
the principal defendant. In the afternoon
the latter and his father, Daniel Gardner,
were taken before Justice Tubbs, there being
some doubt as to whether the Police Court
had jurisdiction of the matter, and the cases
were set for examination next Monday at 10
A. NJ. Bail was fixed at So, coo, but it has not
yet been given. Gardner, ST.. declares his
innocence Of anything criminal in the prem
ises, and expresses his bslief that his son
George was insane at times. Two attach
ments were yesterday put on Mr.. Gardner
property by creditors, who probably thought
there might be financial trouble growing out
of the arrests, but he is believed TO be per-
fectly solvent.
WHAT CRANDALL KNOWS ABOUT IT.
Charles CrandAll, of Gait, young man 10
years of age, who for a lorg time was in the
the city yesterday by officer Jackson. While
en- route to this city he made a statement to
the officer, and repeated it last night in the
office of the Chief before Chief Karcher, Of
fcer D. G. Jackson, Walter B. Ferral and a
representative Of the RECORD. MON. He
said: On the On or 18Th of Janusry-am
not certain of the date. but know
it was on Sunday was
standing in front of D. Gardeners wood yard
when George Gardner, his SOD, came along
with his overcost over his arm. lie asked
me what l would charge to assist himself and
a couple of students to get body from the
cemetery. l replied, "a hundred dollars. if
you have got it" He said he did rot have
that amount. L then told him that would
have nothing to do with the matter, not for
any amount. 1 would not do it for sny con.
sideration whatever. He insisted, begged me
TO go, and offered me ten dollars. told him
1 would not so for that. He then, in order
to allay all my fears, told me there was no
law III California against such acts, and said,
"If you do get into scrape the students in
Ssu Francisco will see you through" Finally,
one night, after repeated persussions, L
started with him for the Catholic Cemetery.
We went on foot, George Gardner carrying a
spade and large sack. He told me he was
going after
THE BODY OF a CATHOLIC GIRL
About 20 years of age, that had been burisd
that day. When we arrived inside the in
closure of the cemetery he got down on his
hands and knees and examined the tracks in
the road, in order to see where the hearse had
gone, in order TO locate the grave. He then
directed me to follow him to the potter's field
l then backed out, told him l would 20 no
further, but should return home immediately.
He insisted on my staying, said all he wanted
of me was TO stand guard. 1 refused to re-
main, and we both returned. All the way
back to the city he upbraided ME for my cow
ardice. He kept ct me, and also room
mate of mine by the name Of Little, to assist
him in securing body. Little told him pos.
lively that he would have nothing to do with
it. Little did not know that I had accom-.
panied George to the cemetery until | told
him sometime afterward. Little is man
about 80 years of age, man of good sense
and judgment, and he told me that | had
made fool of myself. I think be gave up
the idea Of getting the body of the girl
spoken of. He told Little and I about an
other body, and asked US to assist in getting
it, but we both positively declined, telling
him he could offer no inducemeut that would
cause US TO do 80. About two weeks
AFTERWARDS HE WENT ALONE.
He said if he did not have body for his next
examination he would not be able to get his
diploma for another year. We heard nothing
more from him on the subject until about two
days before he got the body. The night he
dug it up he came into our room about 8
o'clock in the morning, and asked US to go
with him and assist in pulling it in the wagon.
We declined positively to have anything to do
with it. He called again three or four times.
but we would not go. In the morning when
we got up we found the horse and buggy
hitchsd up. snd the body, Enclosed in sack,
lay in the back part of the buggy. 1t re.
mained in the buggy until after the other two
mep, who are employed liz the woodward, came
to their work. They knew what it was. for one
of them opened thesack and inspected for him.
self. When George Gardner came down
stairs he approached Little and myself, and
asked Us to assist him in carrying the body
from the buggy TO the chemical works, which
we declined to do. l did not see the body for
three or four days afterwards, when l was
asked by him to go into the chemical works
to assist in moving some barrels. then for
the first time saw the body. Then Little and
both went in afterwards. The last time I
saw it was when I assisted him in repairing
the water pipes. The first time l saw the
body l said TO Gardner, / know that fellow;
it is Johnnie Lyons, the boy who used to
peddle newspapers at the railroad depot
He said was mistaken. told him knew
better was positive that
IT WAS JOHNNIE LYONS BODY.
From the first time 1 saw it until the lsst it
lay covered with old dirty coal sacks. The
cold dust completely covered it with filth,
making horrible sight. The body did not
smell, but the last time 1 saw it the face was
black from modification. The place where
the body lay was exposed to the weather.
and the rain dripped down on its face. 1t
was a diugy, dirty place. infested with rats,
and the latter had devoured portions of the
feet Of the body. am positive that China
where it lay. The second time l saw the
body he had tie tubular Yein-at least that