Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1889-03-16
SAMPLE BURIAL HORRORS.
Examinations Prove Tha. Many Perse


Examinations Prove That Many Persons
Are Put in Ground Alive.
One of the grayediggers who exca-
waited cemetery in Minneapolis the
other day told a reporter of that city that
in nineteen coffins the remains were
found turned on their sides, and in ono
case lying face downward; the latter
was that of full grown woman, with
long jet black, beautiful tresses scat
tered over the shoulders and tangled
about the neck, indicating that after
being consigned to her last resting place,
the latent spark of life quickened, and,
conscious of the awful hopelessness Of
her situation, and with the strength Of
desperation she began the frightful
struggle, vainly turning and twisting
within the narrow walls of her prison,
until exhaustion finally overcame her
and brought relief.
When the ancient cemetery east of
Myrtle avenue, Brooklyn, was dug up
and the remains taken away to allow of
the extension of Raymond street, the
writer saw numerous indications of pre-
mature interments The most hideous
and blood curdling of these was that of
body found in the old Presbyterian
public receiving vault. 1t had been
placed there about four years previously,
and the lid or top had been strained so
that some of the screws were torn half
out; the end and lower part Of the top
right foot and part of the leg had been
forced through, and was SO found, pro-
truding. Upon further examination, the
entire body was found twisted, the skull
turned under and the fingers of one hand
were thrust through and wedged in under
the lid-evidently in the last straining,
hopeless effort for liberty. In scores OF
graves the coffins were found to contain
bodies that were turned and twisted
more or less to one side-positive proof
of having been buried alive.
1t is well authenticated fact that the
mother Of the poet Scott, while lying in
trance and declared by the physicians
to be dead, was laid away in the family
tomb in the great vaults under the parish
church. At night the ghoulish sexton
stealthily entered the tomb, opened the
casket, and proceeded to rob the elegant
and wealthy lady of the jewels which
were on her person, according to the then
prevalent custom. Finding some finger
rings too tightly fixed the unconscionable
thief took his pocket knife and slashed the
flesh from the fingers. The sudden shock
and flow of blood caused reaction of the
vital forces and the renewed madame
opened her eyes, uttered an exclamation
Of amazement and attempted to rise up.
The guilty and horror stricken rascals
hair rose straight upon his head, and,
with the yell of a desperate mailman, he
rushed forth, thus raising the alarm
which brought help and rescue to her.
She lived many years subsequently, none
the worse for her awful adventure, which
occurred five years previous to the birth
Of Sir Walter.
The mother of Gen. Israel Putnam, of
revolutionary renown, was placed in her
coffin and the funeral services cop-
menced, when she revived, and six yesrs
afterward gave birth to the child Israel.
Long years ago three medical students,
who had paid an extra sum of money to
a professional "resurrectionist" for the
purpose of procuring an extraordinarily
desirable subject, entered the college dis
secting room one night to view their pur-
chase, which had just been received. Lift
ing the cloth cover, they were more than
pleased to discover the remarkably fresh,
fine, desirable young corpse of young
and lovely maiden lady. 1t was the
form of Juno and the features of
Hebe. Round, plump, splendidly devel-
oped, perfectly symmetrical, with a
wealth of dark chestnut tresses, and
chestnut colored eyes, pink, creamy
tinted complexion, brilliant, ivory white
teeth, thin, delicate ears, mouth and
nose, eyebrows and eyelashes beautifully
long and shapely.
One of the two fingered about the body
apparently as one held under the spell Of
a strange, underlined fascination. The
girl had been i'll and was supposed to
have died of some heart disease, and
had lain in her family vault about twenty
hours. The young student, filled with
admiration, gently lifted the magnificent
ly nodded arm. 1t was not chillingly
cold, although cool. The muscles were
not hard and fixed severely as in rigor
morris. He raised the eyelids and saw
none of the CLASSY and ghastly peculiar
tiles. He was aroused, and laid his ear
down over the region of the heart. Then
he was puzzled and started, and applied
the stethoscepe.
Then he repressed his growing excite
ment and summoned assistance. Evil
dences of latent life in the body were dis
covered beyond doubt. Vigorous efforts
were then made for resuscitation, and
successfully, too. Then the hapless girl,
while yet unconscious, was wrapped in
blankets and tenderly removed to the
residence of one of the professors near
by. Her relatives were sent for, and in
time she regained perfect health, and
subsequently welded the student, who
afterward became president of Philadel-
phia Medical college. She is now
widow and resides with the youngest Of
four stalwart sons. -Chicago Herald.