Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-12-13
WAS SHE BURIED ALIVE7
The Emeie Newman Mystery sdII Un,oived

The Esteiie Newman Mystery still unsoived.
A PittsfeId Mass special says: A dreary
drive Of four miles from Great Darlington,
In the face Of binding snow-storm.
brought the 1smes's correspondent to the
neatly-kept farm OF Judge Rowley. OF North
Egremont. the uncle OF Estelle Newmin-
who Is alleged TO have been restored 10 lille
In medical college dissectlng.room-and
administrator OF her estate. Judge ROwley
IL Chairman OF the selecfmen OF his town,
and conservative, conscientious gentle
man OF the old school, and from him
were Cleaned many facts throwing adj
oilloral light upon the very strange
story regarding Miss Newman's supposed
death and subsequent resuscitation.
Miss Newman, II appears, was bright
lady OF thirty years OF age, OF excellent pa
rentaee. highly cultured. and having many
warm friends. For many years she bad
been organist OF the Methodist church at
North Egrcmont. In December. 1878, just
as she, with Others, was interested in an ap-
preaching Christmas entertainment, she
bad al attack OF spinal meningitis. Her
death ensued early in January. The fune-
raj was attended from the Methodist
church, and the intermcnt was in the family
LOT adjoining the church. Among the
m0lrncrS at the grave was one III. Worth
Wright, an Egremont young man, who was
at that time studying surgery in college
at Albauy. He had long known Miss New
man. although. 50 FAR as known, their
friendship never had approached to init
macy.
On the evening OF the day Of the funeral
a country ball was given at EgrcmOnt,
which II. North Wright and his brother
attended. Aiterward the young man re-
turned to his studies at Albany, gradu-
atlrg high in his class. He settled at Shelf
field, Mass, for a while, but later drlfted
into Connecticut. where he died in 1881,
after some years Of dissipation.
Now comes the strange part OF the story.
IT is alleged that during the night follow
ing the burial II. North Wright and three
folow-siudents visited the graveyard, ex-
humed the body OF Miss Newman. and car
ricd il TO Albany; that soon after reaching
the disSecting-room evidences OF life were
found, and the girl became animate; that
she was ~ once taken TO Bellevue Hospital,
New York, where. after period OF insani-
ty, she regained her health. and was then
isken to the home ~ the uncle OF one OF
The ghOulish students residing in SchOharle
county, New York State. THIS student was
i'm partnership with his uncle in pIacticing
medicine and Surgery. Her health entirely
returned, and her mind became as bright
as ever. In 1881 she read in 4 newspaper
Of the murder OF Dr. Wright, at Newt0wn,
Conn.,, ard at once showed great interest
in the case, affirming that DR.. Wright was
an old friend, and seemingly family recall
Ing 10 mind her supposed fatal illness at
home. In the meantime. however, the stu
dent at whose urcle's house she was living
had fallen deeply IN love with her and mar
ricd her. The story further details that the
pair are now living In New York city, and
propose 10 visit the scenes OF the lady's
childhood during the present winter. so
much for the story which has upset the
usual quletudc Of North EgremOnt and the
surrounding towns, and resulted In pan
dcmonium OF gossip.
Mr.. Rowley states that application has
hecn made TO him by distant relatives OF
Mss Newman TO open the grave and at
once settle the question OF her death. lie
does not favor this plan, believing, first.
that the story is untrue; and. second, pre-
ferrinc to LEI the matter remain an unccr-
tainiy rather than open the grave with
the possibility Of finding his wort fears
confirmed. lie leaves town tomorrow for
an extended trip to Virginia, doubtless
glad to get away for time from an air so
laden with uncomfortable rumors. He was
the executor Of Miss Newman's estate. and
the 81 900 left by her has been disposed Of
by law. He never had suspected that she
was living until week ago.
The Darlington pOst-office was crowded
ut noon. and all the villagers were gossip
Ing about the story. W. +. Crippen, 4
cousin OF the girl, states that three fourths
of the people OF Egremont fully believe that
Miss Newman's body was cXhumed, aud
further states that II the proper authorities
do not at once take steps TO settle the ques-
ton the citizens Will take the matter
into their own hands and find out the
truth or untruth OF the story. tie i
willing to make oath TO the fact
that four Young men were driven out OF
the cemetery on the night in question, and
j. positive that the story is true. at least in
so far as the theft OF the body is concerned.
The flames are further fed by the state
mCnt OF one OF the women who was present
at the death Of Miss Newman, and who
states that two days after the supposed
death. on the day Of the funeral, she accl-
dentally touched the back OF the body, and
found spot 80 warm that the heat was
plainly perceptible, even through the cloth
ing.
Mrs. Newman, the mother OF EStelle. and
Mrs. hapcI. sister OF the woman alleged
TO have been resurrected. relate crcGm-
stances which increase the improblbilitle-
Of the current gossip. Mrs. Chapel had
heard nothing OF the romance concerning
her buried relative. She was with Estclle
when she was supposed TO die. The
sick woman had been through r.
ligi0uS revival. and her mind wa
Affected Her mania took the form Of d
conviction that it was her duty not ia
eat. and she died from starvation. together
with spinal complaint. Her flesh was 81
wasted away thai it was thought impossible
that she could have been brought back Ia
life in the strange way reported.
The current story receives another blow
in the statement Of W. X. Wright, OF Hut
son. y. Y. who denies that bis brother
the late Dr. Wright. ever confessed to hin
about taking the body Of Miss Newman tC
Albany.