The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1885-01-02
A. I. STEWARDS REMAINS
HOW THEY WERE RECOVERED.
Persons Not Strangers to the Great Stewart
establishment Known to Have Been
Connected with the Deao-
GRAFTON OF His Tomb.
~Do you know" said Mr. James Kel-

s'Do you know" said Mr. James Kel-
Ter, one of a party of well-known gen
Aemea gathered in favorite resort a
Few evenings ago, shat the death of
y man who has gained prominence in
the more quiet pursuits of life, such as
the mercantile-espeeially if he has
been to any extent philosophical
produces feelings much deeper and
more lasting than are generally ac-
credited? For instance, Mr.. Springer
or A. I. Stewart. A person could hardly
realize that almost eight years have
passed since the death of Mr.. Stewart.
Mr.. Keller for years had been the
"buyer," and later had charge of the
foreign trade of A. T. Stewart & Co.,
and was with the firm at the time of
Mr.. Stewards death, and was of course
greatly interested in the efforts to re-
sover the body after it had been stolea
from the grave.
Mr.. Stewards death AMI the stealing
of his body are well known to all. 1t is
not known, however-that is, it has
never been authoritatively stated--that
his remains were recovered. This fact
was known only to four or five persons,
and they have persistently denied all
knowledge OF the matter, preferring,
for reasons best knowR to themselves,
to remain quiet. 1t was supposed Mr..
Keller could throw some light on the
subject, and the following question was
put TO him:
"Have Mr.. Stewards friends regained
possession of his bodyH
"That question has been asked me
many times. Heretofore have either
answered in the negative or else pleaded
ignorance. | see no reason for not an
svering it now, however. Yes; the
body wgs recovered. ! will never for
get that affair. 1t was regular bust
ness transaction, the body having to be
purchased You remember that after
the body was stolen the very best de-
tectiyes in New York were put upon
the case. They went on from day to
day, presumably doing the best they
could, running down this and that cleW,
but making no Roadway whatever. Oh
course we were all greatly exercised
over the matter, and the futile efforts OF
the detectives mad rather depressing
effect. he prevailing opinion was thai
the body had been stolen with the
idea that reward would be offered for
its return. Mrs. Stewart was advised
right along by police authorities not IL
offer any reward. After more than 8
year had elapsed, it becoming more and
more apparent every day that the au
thorities would never be able to unrayel
the mystery, Mrs. Stewart accepted 4
suggestion offered by awell known New
Yorker, who had had some business
connections with her husband. His
suggestion was that the offer of reward
and mo questions asked might have q
good effect. She acted upon the sugges
ton, and was about to offer reward OF
$4,000. He thought the reward rather
small and limited that an additional $50
600 might have better effect. She ac
sordingly made the reward 500, 900. MOI
long afterward she was informed by
the gentleman that man named
Patrick Dryer had called upon him anc
had stated that he Dwyer) had beer
approached by certain parties, who
claimed to know where The body could
be found,and who for the reward w0ulC
turn 1t over, providing that Dwyer ac
as meiiatOr--receiVe the body from
them, and in turn pay over The money
or course, 10 questions were to bC
asked. Dryer further eXacted the
promise that if he acted his part hi,
connection with the transaction shoulC
never be known. In fact, saoreC
promises had TO be made that nothing
should ever be said about the recovery
OF the body. The idea was rather re
voting, but what could be done? If th,
offer was not accepted tho remain.
would never have been recovered"
swell, was it accepted,"
at was, finally. Dryer managed Tho
entire affair. We never knew whenc,
the body came; that always remained
mystery; but this much we do know-i
was brought into the city on one of the
night trains, coming from above the
city, and must have been kept some
distance outside of New York. W.
were not positive as to what night. II
was to be brought to the store. Some
time before this Mrs. Stewart had or
dered the removal of the wholesal,
store to the retail, and we we're at the time
of which speak engaged in doing this
One night had been detained at tn,
store rather late, and was abuot leaving
when | was called down stairs. | col
there in timo TO see two men Cepositinl
large rubber sack in one of the huge
money vaults. The sack contained N,
remains OF Mr.. Stewart"
what was then done with the body?'
at remained in the sack, locked uJ
m the vault, for about II year, until Tn,
stewart chapel, of which you have prob
ably read, was completed. 1t was ther
removed TO the chapel, from which plac,
IL cannot be stolen"
"rhis ended the stealing business.
supp SCI"
"Ges. There was another attemp
made, however, but that was nipped II
the bud. One of the parties connected
with the scheme getting an idea tina
the others would dump him, gave tn,
whole thing away"
"Was the money paid overSn
"les, indeed. IL was very generally
understood that Dryer was only useC
as tool. He received $4,000 OF tho re-
ward, the remaining $4,000 being Iii
Yided among six other persons, tn,
man who suggested the offering of a re
ward being among the number and re
ceiving the lions share for working th,
thing. Several persons who were moi
altogether strangers around the great
Stewart establishment on Broadway In
the course OF timo, after the body was
recovered, were found TO be in very
comfortable circumstances, and had tho
detective got on to that fact and worked
It up there would have been some sensa
uonal developments. We can say
nothing"
"Alr. Stewart, personally, was almost
an entire stranger to Western people.
What was his character"
well, sir, he was certainly one of the
very best men | have ever known-a
good man with good heart. On one OF
his trips to Ireland he brought bacl,
home with him a woman and her two
daughters, whom he had known In
early boyhood. Coming up from the
landing he rode with the driver, the wo.
men occupying the inside of the carri.
age. II was very disagreeable weather,
and he was an old man, but he rode all
the way home in that manner. The
women are still stopping ut his house. y
"What was his religious beliefPn
"He was never church going man.
/ know that while sick and lust before
his death, he expressed desire TO die a
Catholic, but whether or not minister
of that religion WAS able Ia pet IN hin,