The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-04-04
SKELETONS AS BURGLAR ALARMS.
How a Misery Russian Doctor De-
signed to Protect His Property.

From the Lancet.
A writer in Russian periodical supplies
some interesting details regarding the
mode OF life of an eccentric member of the
medical profession, whose appearance was
well known in the streets Of st. Petersburg
some half century since Having in the
course of a somewhat heightened career
succeeded in amassing a considerable for
tune, the physician In question, whose
name is not given, decided on retiring from
practice in order to pass the remainder of
his days with dignity in the enjoyment OF
leisure. 1t happened, however, that his
brain, so long accustomed to active exer-
else, proved unable to Withstand the ener-
waiting effects of idleness. While the slim
illus afforded by his daily ministrations to
his sick and suffering townspeople contin-
ued in operation his faculties remained IN
clouded, but no sooner was this withdrawn
than at once symptoms of mental deterior-
alton began to show themselves. Being
destitute of family ties, he lived entirely
alone, save for an antiquated crone who
was nominally his cook, although appar-
emily she had but little whereupon to ex-
ercise her culinary talents. In addition to
with which the old gentleman was af-
1iicted was dread of robbery. Formerly
conspicuous for his gayety, he now be-
came morose and suspicious to the last de-
gree, fearing to leave his treasure for a
moment and unable either to sleep or to
eat. According to the ancient dame he
would assuredly have put an end to his
misery by hanging if he could only have
prevailed on himself to go to the expense
OF a rope.
The means this aged mOnomaniac ADOPT
ed to protect his beloved gold from thieves
was struly remarkable. Having been
medical attendant to. the principal Jail he
contrived to procure the skeletons of a
number of malefactOrs who had been exc
cuted, and these he disposed around his
premises in way that unquestionably
was calculated to strike terror into the
heart OF the boldest of burglars. In the
first place, with his own hand he black
ened the walls of the various rooms and
passages, and, having thus prepared the
background, he next arranged the lugu-
brious relics in variety of attitudes all
more or less startling. In the vestibule.
for instance, he placed by way of a cloak
rack, the skeleton of a woman who mad
cut the Threats of her children. In the
middle of the adjoining room stood the ci-
gantic and minatory osseous remains of a
grenadier who had suffered the extreme
penalty for murder. In lieu of a side
board the dining room contained a grim.
looking erection fashioned out of human
bones, plates, forks and spoons between
the ribs, while the dome of a skull served
as a sugar basin, and a child's ossicles
as sugar tongs. The appliances thus for
bidding stored were. however, more for
show than use, since their owner neyer
by any chance entertained a guest, and
toward the end abstained almost alto
gether from eating. His death is ascrib-
ed to fear and hunger combined. A few
moments before he expired he is said TO
have raised himself up in bed with great
difficulty in order to blow out a candle y
but whether he was actuated by a .le-
sire for economy or dreaded 10 Afford
illumination for the long-expected robber
Il Is imnossihle to defernnlna