, 1891-06-02
AFTER BARNUM'S BODY.
Ghouls Assail the Dead Show
mans Tomb.
Serious Charge Against Omaha
Physicians.
They Are Lodged in Jail With
out Bail.

BRIDGEPORT, Conn, June THE two
men who have been guarding the grave
OF the late Phineas T. Barnum had a
startling experience with grave robbers
last night. Although the guards were
armed to the teeth, and we're standing not
more than 100 feet from the vault which
contains the remains of the famous show.
man, it did not deter the Phouls from
their unhallowed work. Three of them
tackled the grave about . O'Clock this
morning, and had dug down a little more
than a foot before the guards were aroused.
Then they lodged the bullets which the
guards fired at them aud escaped with
the aid of a fast horse which was waiting
BY the roadside attached to a covered
wagoa, in which they had intended to
carry off their plumber. When the body
vas placed in the underground vault a big
stone slap weighing two tons was placed
over the mouth of the tomb, making il
apparently secure from the attacks of
grave decorators. This, as is evident,
was known to the scoundrels who under.
took 10 rob the grave this morning. They
did not attempt to dig down into the
grave, as is dOne in ordinary cases, but
started their excavations at the side.
They were fully equipped for the work.
aud in an hour, but for the presence of
the guards, the body of the great show
man would have been spirited away to be
bartered for like ordinary merchandise.
The guards who have kept watch over
grave ever since Mr.. Barnum died are
John Callahan and Geo. Brakeman.
They were stationed 10 a little grove of
trees, from which a commanding view of
the grave was to be had. A little hut
had been built for their protection. Last
night was cloudy, dismal aud lust the
kind of night to call for extra vigilance.
1t so happened that the two guards had
not slept much yesterday, and both we're
sleepy when they went on duty last night.
As they had never seen anything to ex
cite suspicious of trouble, they. with a
feeling of perfect security, dozed off for a
short nap after midnight. They were
awakened by a noise which sounded as if
made by a spade or a pick striking a
stone. In the shadow of the Barnum
monument the forms of three men could
be seen. Two of them were bent over.
busily at work; and the other was stand
ing guard. who's there?" called out
Nhlldudhs ~ Nuhl llGIt was "a klATIlpu
exclamation from one of the men: the
rays OF a dark lantern were flashed in the
direction of the guards and then the light
was suddenly extinguished.
I'VE found on going to the grave. af-
ter the Rholls ran of, said Callahan to-
day, "a hole about four feet long which
they had dug a foot deep at the west side
OF the grave. The dark lantern, the rays
Of which We had seen. was lying on the
upturned sods, having been either forgot
ten or dropped by the frightened scoun-
drels in their flight Nothing else hap
pened throughout the night"
Messrs, II. +. Bowser and Charles r.
Brothwell. the agents of the Barnum es.
tate, say that the watchmen are strictly
! reliable, and that their story is, no doubt,
genuine. Brothwell placed the matter il
the hands of the police. 1t Ii likely that
a reward VIII be offered for them.