The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-12-24

From the NeaC Orleans Times Democrat.
It has been iutimated by several northern
papers that the people of New Orleans, to
whose safe keeping the remains of jefferson
Davis were intrusted. had better keep a
sharp lookout for resurrectionists
1t is a well-known fact that there exists a
professional band Of ghouls, who, in expec-
tation of large ransym, make it their call
ing to rob the graves of the wealthy or dis
tineuished dead.
The case A I. Stewart, the millionaire
dry-goods dealer, which occurred some years
ago, is still fresh in memory, despite the
lapse of time. The circumstances W Iich at
tended the dissertation Of his grave, and the
stupendous audacity OF the thieves, created
at the time profound Sc sation. Mrs A.
T. Stewart, the widow of the deceased. con-
templated the erection of Magnificent
cathedral in which it was intended the re-
mains of her husband should be placed to
rest. The cathedral was built at vast ex-
pense, but when the time arrived to transfer
the relics Of the dead to its new mausoleum.
10 and behold, it was discovered that the
body had
BEEN SPIRITED AWAY.
With dari 6 effrontery, the resurrection
lists, through the columns of the New York
Herald, demanded of Judge Hilton, who
was administering the estate of the deceased,
the princely sum of 100000 for its return.
This correspondence, maintained for some
time, finally led to the return of the body.
for which the resurrectionists were paid, no
questions asked, $4,000. Attempts have
also been made to tamper with the grave of
Abraham Lincoln, and, to guard against a
similar visitation, night d day vigils were
kept at the tombs of Presidents Garfield and
Ulysses S. Grant
1t is well known that there are now fully
twenty southern cities eager and anxious to
obtain the honor of being made the burial
place of the only confederate President. and
that the widow of Mr.. Davis is now besieped
with letters and requests to that end.
A movement is now on foot to erect a
magnificent monument, in keeping with the
lofty character and eminent abilities of the
dead statesman, one which will creditably
and forever perpetuate his name and mem
ory For this purpose large sums of money
have been donated by number of 1uthern
cities, and the periodically inclined of the
southern people are now lending every
effort to the achievement Of this project.
Under such circumstances, it is easy to
understand what rich prey the remains of
ex-President Davis would be to body
snatchers, and what great risks they would
accept to place themselves ia possession Of
the body.
METAIRIE CEMETERY,
III which Mr.. Davis remains have
been given a temporary resting place.
is situated about three miles out
of town in a locality set apart en-
tirely to burial grounds. There are no
houses in the vicinity save the abodes Of the
dead, and the tomb of the Army of North
ern Virginia, in which the body is immured.
occupies position at the extreme end Of
the cemetery.
There are few tombs around it, and it is
al IL g al. Al.
entrance to the cemetery, the finest and
most beautiful buri al grounds in the south.
The city officials, realizing the danger to
which the remains were exposed, had TWO
officers placed ON day and night duty at the
tomb, watch that has been kept up unin-
terruptedly since the day of interment.
Now for the fears expressed. A few days
ago detective agency in Chicago was
warned that certain parties from that city
had left for New Orleans on Dec. 6, before
the body was entombed, with the object of
STEALING TIE BODY OF MR.. DAVIS.
On receipt of the information the agents
of the ureau at this end were notified, and
they, in turn, mentioned the matter to the
friends of the family. A certain under
standing was then arrived at, which was to
the effect that the local detective agency
was to place operators on watch, in addi-
ton to the police detail, so as to thwart the
Since then the vigil has been particularly
close, and the parties under suspicion, who
are now in the city, have had their move
ments carefully watched.
No dil ect attempt has yet been made to
steal the remains. and it is the desire of the
detectives, if possible, to capture the scoun-
drels in the act.
One of the first subjects preached in the
meeting of the executive committee on
funeral ceremonies was the provision for
A GUARD AT THE TOMB
of the Army of Mort ern Virginia. Capt. A.
j. Lewis, of the Army of Tennessee, made
the suggestion that guard be placed to
watch the remains. He stated that while he
did not think any ore would disturb the re-
mains of the dead chieftain through malice,
some evil-minded persons might steal them
for the sake of reward, which undoubtedly
would be offered, for if the body was re-
moved it would cause great sensation.
Col. Wright Schaumberg, who was pres
emit at the meeting, informed the committee
that he would have policemen detailed to
watch the tomb. A special request was
made of the reporters not to publish this
feet. The matter was here dropped and
policemen were detailed to guard the tomb,
and have been doing so since the burial.
AT the last meeting of the executive COM
mittee, for reasons best known to himself,
Army Of Northern Virginia, preached the
subject of removal of the remains from the
tomb. He advised that some provision be
made to have the casket boxed and en-
cased in
FOUR IMMENSE BLOCKS OF GRANITE,
which. after being cemented, should be
buried in the ground, The mmittee were
not disposed TO discuss the subject, and Col
Was ington was instructed to- interview
Charles A. Orleans, the tomb builder, and
arrange the matter with him. Col Wash
ington was given full power to act, and he
will no doubt submit report to the execu-
tive committee at the meeting Monday
night.
Directly opposite the A. N. V. tomb, a
plat of ground is owned by member of the
association. The statue of jackson, which
stands upon the tomb, overlooks tae plat,
and it has been determined, it is said, to
bury the granite block containing the re-
mains in that plat. 1t is asserted chat after
the block, which will weigh several tons, is
buried, that it will be impossible to raise it
without the use of derrick.
For the past week men have been quietly
at WORK, and fore the end OF next week
the remains will be removed to their new
receptac The members of the various
confederate associ 4tions are adverse to dis
cussing this su ject, and will give no in
formation regarding the action that may
hosr1 L Al,os,.