The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-12-10
From Rochester CemeteryNOrth
Of the City.
MRS.VAN FLEETS BODY
Found by Her Husband in the
College.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Ignor-
ance Concerning the Matter.

AOPOAo AahO JC5tOI0dJ oAbOAAOOAs ~
rivals in its revolving details the history
of the Matson murder, and in it some of
the foremost people of the city are con-
cerned.
1t was found last night that emissaries
| of.the Kansas Medical college had robbed
the grave Sunday night of woman
whose sorrewing husband had followed
the remains to the tomb less than twelve
hours before. The discovery of the alb
sence of the body was accidentally
made, and alta O'Clock yesterday after
noon the stolen remains were located and
identified by those searching for them.
Not only was the body found for which
search was being made but in the dis
secting room of the college on tho corner
of Twelfth and Tyler streets were lying
two more women who must have died
within few days; other graves have
been robbed.
These finds were made by three police
officers, a constable and Fl. s. Van Fleet.
The body Identified was that of Mrs.
l. o. Van Fleet.
Within a few weeks Van Fleet has
| been bereft OF two children and his wife
by death.
The dissectors at the medical college
| had cut off the woman's nose ears, dug
out her eyes, torn the skin from her face
and the hair from her head, leav-
| ing little more than a grinning
skull of the former young face.
! This was to prevent recognition. They
! forgot that there are marks of the body
as we'll as the face which are easily
recognizable.
Last Wednesday Mrs l. .. Van Fleet
died at her home, 1913 North Van Bur
en- street Her hus band and his brother,
II. s. Van Fleet, run large moving cars.
She was 81 years old at the time of her
death. Sunday afternoon the funeral
services were held at her late home, and
the grief stricken husband, with SORROW
ing relatives, friends, and neighbors fol-
lowed the body to Rochester cemetery,
where it was laid to rest.
That night the grave gave up its de ad.
Not night was allowed to pass before
the ghouls who search for the dead were
ferreting at their work. Not twelve
hours passed before the wretches who
watch the last resting place of those
gone from the earth were throwing aside
the soft dirt from the newly made tomb
to take the contents to the foul smelling
shambles.
1t happened that Sexton Scott had not
entirely completed his work al the grave
before dark on Sunday night. The bur-
ial was made at o'clock in the afternoon
and darkness overlook him at his work.
Monday morning he returned to com
plete it.
He saw that the earth of the grave
had been disturbed. He dug down into it
a few inches. His spade struck something
wooden. Reaching down hespulled up
the wooden cover of the outside box.
The robbers had evidently forgotten to
put this back until the last thing.
Mortified, the sexton fastened from the
cemetery to the home of Van Fleet.
Mr.. II. S. Van Fleet accompanied him
back to the cemetery and the empty
coffin was unearthed.
The glass in the lid of the casket was
broken and part of the lid wrenched of.
L o. Van Fleet was then brought to the
grave.
By this time it was afternoon. Hur-
riedIy determining upon plan of action
the two brothers went to the county at
torney. At o'clock a search warrant
was issued directing Constable Hall
Williams of Justice Furry's court to
search the premises of the Kansas Med
ical college, as it seemed this must be
the only place where body would be
taken.
MIR. Williams was accom- panied by H.
S. VanFIeet, Police Captain Gardiner, Ser
geant Donovan and Officer John Haisch.
The party drove out in carriages. l. o.
Van Fleet remained behind, while his
brother went along to identify the body
if it should be found
Arriving at the college the party was
admitted to the hall. The constable told
Janitor s. A. Johnson a student, his bust
ness
II want to search this building for q
body" said Williams to johnson, the
student
81 don't like to take the responsibility
of this on myself" he replied. ST you'll
wait Pll telephone DR.. Minney to come
out"
This was agreed to and half an hour
later DR.. Minnev arrived in company
with DR.. W. S. Lindsay.
He readily agreed to showing them
the dissecting room. All in the party
followed him except Sergeant Tim Don
| ovan. who remained outside the building
to prevent the body being carried off by
some back way.
In the dissecting room on the third
floor were the bodies of two women ly-
ing upon the tables. DR.. Minney re
moved the sheets which covered these
showing their scalped heads and skin
less faces. Tb g were also cut some
what about the cody.
"You see here all the bodies we have
on hand" said the doctor.
whats in these other rooms?" asked
two or three officers looking at two doors
which opened off from the long dissect
ing room.
Nothing" laconically answered the
physician. "Come and look at tho pick
ling vat"
The party followed him to the south
east part of the room. All looked init
the large vat used for picking and K eep
ing dead bodies, but it was empty.
"Let's look in these other rooms," saiC
the officers.
"Oh, there's nothing in there" said D;
Minuey as he led the way to the stair
way.
"While we're up here we'll iast lool