Year: 1870

From the Cincinnati Gazette, Dec. "a.


1t viii be remembered that snort time ago we
by body snatchers IN the pursuit OF their repusive
occupation and now the burying grounds the city
ana county lnnrmaries and OF Longvlew Asylum
were depopuated OF the dead paupers. We have
now to record an incident OF Wednesday night IN
the history OF cunningham, hmilariy called 'Od
Cunny,n III which he was sadly interrupted while
engaged with black experts In eevatlng u
couple Of subjects inferred III the graveyard used by
the CITY lnirmary, Just IN the rear OF that instu
tion.


1t seems that this notorious veteran in the bus l.
ness, accompanied by his two stalwart assistants
started out Wednesday night on The avenue in HIS
open spring wagon. The objective point was the
buryinR place OF paupers above mentioned. The
night was cold anc the air bracing. In order To
keep the cold cut and the animal heat IN "ounny'
stopped at the Avenue House in Carthage 70 "wet
his whistle,n between the hours OF eleven ana
twelve. lie was also seen At eight O'Clock. when u
party Of eight persons, divlning his movements,
was at once formed, who followed nm and his
assistants to the graveyard. Here, TO the JOY OF The
aged resurrectonis he discovered Two freshly made
graves OF two paupers who had been buried the day
before. The party in pursuit surrounded the grave
yard and commenced firing pronlscuously al the
ghouls Just they were IN the act Oi raising the
subjects from their last resting place The coored
assistants at once dropped their tools and escaped
through the adjoining woods. Several shots were
fred after them, none taking effect.


The party then advanced toward "Cunny' and
told him to give himself up. lie was told 10 hold
up his hands TO show that he had no weapons in
his pockets. But he was very obstinate. and refused
to hold up both hands, resolutely keeping one OF
them IN his pocket An athletic fellow immediately
brought loaded rifle to bear upon him, but the cap
snapped, and another was put Oh with like result.
This little ACCIDENT no doubt saved Cunny nom be-
coming food Tor the dssecting room, ana seeing the
determination OF his captOrs To suminarlly dispose
OF him he reluctantly gave himself up alter sliding
down q steep hill OF 500 feet He handed over a
seven shooter and begged them 'for Gods sake" tO
spare his lre He then taken bDck to the grave
yard where his horse and wagon were standing. II
was then ascertaned that the bodies had been ul-
covered but had not been taken out of the graves
'Old Cunnyo with his ShOyels, picks and Spades was
piled into the wagon and the whole party got in and
accompanied MIN back to Carthage. lie SAID ne did
not expect such load OF 'b0dles 10 BRING back. If
he could get twenty dollars apiece Tor the party he
would do wcllD On the return to Carthage ne
stopped at the six mile house, the "Black Bear !,
and another public house, and treated his captors
profusely to the drinks, which cost him four five
dollars. He was then released ana started to the
city with an empty wagon, while his doughty cap
tors dispersed 10 their homes IN the conscious
that they had done their duty. But while Cunny
was away from the graveyard with his captors at
Carthage, the negroes, who undoubtedly have been
trained UP in the detes,able business by Old Cunny
to the point OF absolute perfection, returned 20 the
graves hooked the SUBJECTS out, put them IN SACKS
and awaited the return OF the evil genus lie not
long afterward made his appearance with his
wagon having thrown his capJors OH the scent by
going back IN tile direction uf the city. After they
had dispersed he cautiously returned 20 the burial
ground and secured his load after al. IL Is fair To
presume that he made the medical fraternity pay an
ample amount OF interest on the investment he made
In drinks Tor the Carthage extcInporlled ponce.