Year: 1878

New YoRK, Nov. THE police head
quarters were informed to-day that the body
of Alexander T. Stewart was stolen from
family vault At st. Marks Church early this
morning. The casket was broken open.


Inspector Dilks, when informed Of the
robbery, at once sent out the following gen
eral order to all precincts: "The remains Of
A T. Stewart were last night stolen from the
family vault in st. Marks Churchyard.
The casket was found broken and the body
removed. The decomposition OF the re-
mains is so offensive that they can not be
concealed. This is apparent from standing
at the opening of the vault this morning.
Consequently 1t can not be taken across the
ferries without discovery. Cause diligent
search TO be made in your precincts, as the
remains were evidently stolen in the hope OF
reward"
Early On the morning oI october ], a
month ago, the assistant Sexton OF st. Marks
Church discovered that Stewards family vault
had been tampsred with a stone slab had
been removed from its position and the earth
disturbed several feet. AS the slab was not
over the opening of the vault, the thieves
did not get at the body. The sexton report
ed the matter TO Judge Hilton, who ordered
the slab placed q few feet from its true posi-
ton, in order TO deceive any one attempting



gagged, and he pGtroled the graveyard every
night until very recently. The discovery of
tbs outrage was made at 3 o'clock this morn
ing. The robbers had removed one stone
from the opening of the vault broken open
the three ooffins in which the body was in
closed and carried away the contents, it is
supposed in a sack. The robbery has caused
great excitement in the neighborhood OF the
graveyard.


The rebbers, who were probably five or six
in number, having entered the chUrchy2rd,
proceeded to remove the earth from the
opening to the vault This was soon accom-
piished by aid of an ordinary fire shovel,
which, with dark lantern, they left behind
them. Then they pried up ose of the stones
justasrge enough to permit the entrance of
two men simultaneously. There were sew
eral coftins in the vault, but the robbers co
not appear to have hesItsted in choosing the
right one. The outer cssing of cedar was
easily broken open, and the second was RI o
ped open apparently with q large knife.
There then remained an oaken coffin, which
wss also broken open. The body was then
taken out and placed in some sort OF a sack,
Fitted up toward the opening, where there
were probably other hands to receive 1t and
70 carry it to the iron railings around the
schurchyard. The weight of the body was
not very great, but it Is still ques-
ton how 1t was passed over the
the railing The work was per-
formed somehow, for all the gates were
locked, and the body was then probably put
INTO wagon and driven quietly away. Ii
is worthy of notice that no foot marks were
face was soft after fall OF snow and ram last
evening. 1t is therefore surmlsed that the
robbers stepped from gravestone to grave
stone, and thus made their escape on Stuyye-
SAINT street or Eleventh street. They
wrenched the plate OFF the cssket and carried
it away with them. On the whole
the indications point to remark
ably bold execution of carefully
conceived plan. Especial care must have
been taken TO avoid the police, for the spot
is very open and offers no good chance OF
concealment The beats of the policemen
terminate close to the church yard railing,
and the two officers ought to meet there
constantly throughout the night. They
neither of them saw anything TO excite sus-
piclons Mr.. Libby, of the firm of A. T.
Stewart & Co, said to day that the estate OF
A. T. Stewart will not offer a reward for the
recovery Of his body. 1t twill give hundred
thousand dollars, If need be, for the detec
ton and punishment of the outlaws, but not
one cent to them for the retuTnof what they
have taken, and not single cent will be
paid in order TO compromise the case.


Up 10 midnight last night the police stated
that no arrests had been made in connection
with the desecration of the Stewart vault
Ihey appear 10 De utterly beiogged as u
who perpetrated the robbery. The Sun
says among all the theories relative to
this crime none is more curious than
that which attributes it to the agency oil
certain disappointed heirs, or so called heirs
of Mr. Stewart. Those who hold to this
theory believe that the body wa:
removeda in order that a chemical
analysis might be made IN order tC
detect traces of poisoning. The news OF the
desecration of Mr.. Stewards grave was mo-
conveyed to Mrs Stewart until last evening
when Judge Hilton called and broke the sad
tidings to her as gently as possible
She was overwhelmed with grief, bu
she fully ooincided with Judge Hilton In
taking a firm stand against any concession
and promises OF reward TO the thieves. Sh.
expressed willingness TO go to any expens'
to secure the arrest and conviction of tn,
perpetrators of the outrage.