The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1912-05-24
.cRAzED BY GRIEF; DIGS
. HER BODY FROM GRAVE
NaperviIIe Man Carries Wife's
h Remains Two Miles,.

Chicago, May 16.-There was a
weird Neutrality-suspicious. struggle to
conquer death in the home of Charles
Hillegan in Naperyille yesterday.
1t was the struggle of Hillegan to
bring his wife, who died two weeks
ago, back to life. And when it failed
the heartbrOken mans thread of
reason snapped. He is now raw
ing maniac in the jail at Naperville.
Hillegan says that since he cannot
conquer death he will embrace it and
join his wife. Physicians who have
examined him say that it is likely
his promise will come true, that he
is actually a victim of a broken
heart.
Story of Grewsome Efforts.
The story of Hillegan's grewsome
effort to bring his wife back from
the grave reads like a contribution
from the pen of Edgar Allan Poe.
His actions and his present condi-
ton prove that he is a victim of
the most crushing grief a human be-
ing could experience. ...
Mrs. Hillegan died while visiting
relatives in Seattle two weeks ago.
When informed that his wife was
dead Hillegan would not believe it.
He refused to admit that his COM
panion of eighteen years could be
taken from him in this way.
Even when the body was taken
back to Naperville Hillegan insisted
that a physician should be called
and that efforts be made to revive
his wife In the face of his obsti-
nate assertions arguments were fu-
tile. ......r.. ....
ColIapses at Funeral.
During the funeral Sunday Hille-
gan sobbed violently and finally col
lapsed. 1t was necessary to carry
him to bed and give him medical
attention. But during the time he
was in the hands of physicians Hill
legan was devising a plan for bring
ing his wife back to him. f.:
AS soon as it was dark Monday
night he armed himself with spade,
a shotgun and an ak. Then he went
to his wifes grave.
He began to dig. 1t took prac-
tically the entire night for him to
reach the box that held the coffin.
This he smashed with an ak. The
lid of the coffin was removed in
the same manner, but more gently.
Bears Body on Back.
Next, Hillegan. lifted the body of
his wife tenderly from the ground
and placed it upon the lid of the
pine box This load he finally man.
aged to get balanced upon his shout
ders. -r
Staggering under his crushing bur-
den, he began the two-mile walk to
his home. Shortly after sunrise he
tottered to shed in the rear OF
his house. g.
There he placed the body of his
wife tenderly upon bench, raised
the head slightly with pillow. Rela-
tives demonstrated with him, but Hill
Logan drove them away with his old
shotgun. r..
He took food and bottle OF CAM
phor to the shed and began the work
of trying to restore life in the cold
body He rubbed the camphor up
on the brow, then offered food to the
lips that refused to open.
Sheriff Arrives On Scene.
This process he continued for
hours. Meanwhile a crowd congregat-
ed about the shed, but nobody VEN
tured in. Shortly after noon mem
Der of the family telephoned 10
Sheriff Frank Kuhn. Two hours later
that official arrived at the Hillegan
house, but too late to find the grief
stricken man.
Hillegan had finally given up hope
of forcing the breath of life into
the body and had deserted the barn.
He was found, overcome by grlef.
in little ravine two miles from
the village.