The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-09-15
JANIT0R CHRIS
IS EX0NERATED
Grave Rumors are Dispelled as
GrOundlesS.
UNACQUAlNTE0 WITH RIPPER
lie Doesn't Believe Anyone Would Go
Dat on a stormy Night 90 Dig
Among the NeW-Nade
Graves.
UNACQUAiNTE0 WITH RIPPER

The coiored population Of the city. or at
least a large portion Of It. has been con-
slderably worked up during the past few
weeks.
First came the mandate OF the courts
that no more bodies should be inferred In
the Barton Heights cemetery. and then
came a report that the bodies that had
been buried in the new and improyised
burying ground In Henrico were not
placed in the ground to q sufficient depth
TO insure ther safety from molestation
by cvllly-dsposed wights or the ever
dreaded ghoul.
And finally a hideous, fearful Jack the
Ripper" bad appeared upon the scene that
was already rife with turm0. and inner
strife.
CONDENSATION RESOLUTIONS.
Grave approhonsions are afioat among
a certain portion of the cO.ored popu.a-
ton. They are holding little family gath
erings. discussing the outlook and pass
ing resolutions condemnatory Of the whole
thing.
But resolutions do not always answer
the purposes Tor which they are drawn,
ana when these little meetings dissolve
themselves the participants leave each
othes with grave apprehensions upon their
faces and thoughts Of the grave within
their breasts.
The name Of Chris" the wen known
and famous jauitor OF the Medical College
OF Virginia. has been mentioned frequently
at these meetings. Whether he was look
ed upon as a friend or foe IN the matter
is not clearly understood.
But as Chris" in his official capacity
IS associated intimately with dead bodies
skeletons. ghosts and 'sperriis." the nat
ura1 inference was that Chris name
was mentioned in terms Of hostility
VISITED CHRIS.
Accordingly a Times man set out TO IN
iorview Chris ON the subject lie pro
ceeded 20 Chris place Of business. All
was dark and gloomy about the big Medi-
cal COLLEGE. A man passing by said mat
he thought Chris was on the second floor
I'm fact he knew he was there. Tor ne mad
The reporter went into the gloomy
looking building with visions or skeletons
floating about Nothing was seen OF
chris. No sound was heard. He called
out: o,-,-o,,
"Cbris, Christ Where are you, ChrisF
Echo was the only reply.
He thought he heard the clanklng oil
chains and groan or two from the us
nal deDthg below. and me made hurried
exit 10 the sto0p.
When the reporter had recovered HIM
self with p few whms of fhe outer ozone.
bo again entered the college portals and
called for Chris.
CHRIS APPEARS.
This time q harsh voice from 'ne D'se-
mont responded.
And then Chris's black face emerge
from a darl, doorway leading TO the deplhs
under the front steps
Chris was told about the capers that
"Jack the Ripper had been cutting, not
m mention tle thrOats. and Doe was me
formed OF She whispered mention OF his
name fin connection with the graves ln inc
new cemetery.
at has been suggested that YOU might
have a clue as 10 the individuality Of this
"RiDper." The reporter suggested.
Chris smacked bis lips, but said nom
Ing. ,,-,,.-
tty?"
lie rolled bis eyes and continued to say
nothing
'How about those graves. do you think
anyone IS liable 20 trouble the dead whose
souls are marching on2'
HE GREW RESTLESS.
Chris moved toward the dark doorway
that led below, and remained intensely
quiet
do you really believe. Chris, that on a
dark. stormy night when the moon rests
behind the clouds and the rain is coming
down I'm torrents; while the wind bowls
ferceiy through the cedar trees in the
cemetery. that man VIII place a big
bag on bis back and stea.thily make his
way to- the home of the dead, out among
the owls and tOads, and dig down among
the new-made graves N search Of some
thing? DO you think any man would do
that?"
Chris had reached the dark hole that
led ID low, and the darkness was growing
Intensely thick lie stepped inside and
then be stuck his head out and said;
'I doan know nuthin' tan erbout hit,"
and disappeared.
The chains below ratified again and an
other SOUND as of a grO3n came from the
depths. and the reporter retired from tho
scene. satisfied that Chris knew nothing
about either Jack the Ripper or the
er~st-ra ina the nav cpmoforV