The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-07-03
THE HARRISON HORROR.
John Scott Harrison's Body Found in Dis
secting Room.


From the Cincinnati Enquirer.
The grave Of John Scott Harrison was dug
to an unusual depth, carefully walled with brick,
and when partially filed, large stone, the weight
OF which required tho united str. tn of sixteen
men to overcome, placed over the metallic case
to prevent intrusion violation and the whole
covered with cement Then to mako assurance
dJubly SURE, guard was stationed at the grave.
This watch was TO be kept up for thirty days at least
and the reativeSOf he honorcd dead congratulated
themselves that their sad duty was performed
Scarcely had this task been accomplished, when it
was discovered that another grave HAD been rifed,
and one but few feet from the place to which the
Honored and beloved one had been consigned 1t
was the grave Of August Devins, q young man who
had resided i'll the vicinity and who had died OF
consumption but few days previous. The discov-
cry being fully verified by further investigation,
John Harrison. son of the lanented John Scott
Harrison, and George Eaton, q grandson, came to
the city TO search for Deyins's body, snpposing it
had been brought TO enc of the medical colleges.
The 6Est ponterobtainedwrs FROM
PARAGRAPH IN THE ENQUIRER,
which called attention to the fact that buggy had
been driven into the alley back of the medical col
lege, and something white was taken out and
smuggled into tho college. Having Sccrued the
necessary search warrant, Mr. Harrison and his
companion secured the services of Detective Tom
Snelbaker, who has since died, and accompaniment
Constable Walter Lacy and Deputy Constable Cul-
lem they proceeded to the Ohio medical college,
They inspected every room and pecrcd into every
ante-room, from the first floor to the dissecting
room. The suspicious actions Of the anitor of the
building, o man named Marshall, attracted the at
tention of the keen-witted Snebaker, who found
that the anor who left ostenSiby 10 ask the Off
GERS Of the college to be present during the search
had gone upstairs to the dead-room, but finding he
was watched, returned They proceeded to the dis
sectng room and attention was directed to wind
lass and repa which ran down through square
hole in Tie oog aud through the wall from the up
per floor to the chute in the cellar. Regarding this
with suspicion. Colonel Snelbaker felt the rope and
it was taut. This convinced the colonel. "Here is
somebody" he said, and selling the crank he be-
gan TO turn lie windlass. Little did the son and
grandson suspect as they
STOOD THERE AWAITING
what was to be brought to their view by this terri
bic process Nearer and nearer it came to the sur
face, and sco1 it came in sight. Ii was naked
body except the head and shoulders The ghous
had robbed the corpse Of its grave Clothes only COW
erng the face with an old tatcred shirt for tie DUR
pose Of avoiding detection should the body be seen
1T is not the a. said Mr. Harrison little think
ing that it was the body of and dearer to
him than the one which he sought. at is not the
man for whom am looking; he died of consump-
ton, and was mora emaciated than this one" And
ho was preparing to give up the search in this diec
ton, when Colonel SEelbaker urged him to look at
the face, which still covered with the cloth
which had been thrown over it, "You had better
look at the face" he said. "You might be mistaken,
and you'll never forgive yourself if you allow any
doubtful point to pass" sit is hardly necessary,
said Mr. Harrison hesitating'y, and evidently desr
ing to retreat. still, since you insist upon it, will
do So" The body was then raised out of the well,
the trap door dropped beneath it. AS the head
leaned forward blood streamed from an incision in
the neck. The light from the windows directly
above
sHoNE DIRECTLY ON THE HEAD AND SHOULDERS.
When Mr.. Harrison raised the covering from the
face Of the dead it revealed the features OF an Old
man with full white beard, cut squarey off an inch
below the chin, white hair closely cut at the back
@ face dscoloFed by the pressure of the rope and
rough handling nom those by whom he had been
dragged rom the grave. "An old man." remarked
some one, and Mr.. Harrison stopped down to take
parting look al the face, when suddenly change
came over his cOuutenance the blood fed from his
face, and he seemed about t. fall TO the floor.
"N hat is the natter Mr. =. said, he stepped
quickly to his relief Still Mr. Harrison was silent
his banched face growing Ialer with eyes start
ing from the sockets, be gazed upon the face Of the
arm Of the detective, until finally recovering him
self he gaspe1, "lt's father" and sank almost un-
conscious into the arms Of his attendants Only an
hour before lie had detailed to Colonel Snebaker
the care taken prey eat the possibility Of robbng
his fatter grave, and now, without the slightest
warning or expectation, he was confronted with
THE MUTILATED BODY OF HIS FATHER.
The moment was a terrible one and enc which
could not be deserted Only tWentyfOur hours
before he had seen the loved father laid in the
grave very near to that Of his hOnored ancestor
whose memory the United States is proud to respect.
No the body lay beiarc him nuiilated, diafgured,
robbed Of its Indictments dishonorcd
General Ben Harrison came Oh from INDIANAPOLIS
and every effort was made to discover the grave
robbers, but in vain.