Democratic Sentinel, Volume 11, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 November 1887 — STEWART’S BONES. [ARTICLE]

STEWART’S BONES.

The Sensational Story of Their Disappearance Now Told for the First Time. The Still More Interesting Narrative of Their Recovery from the Ghouls. At First They Demanded $250,000, But Finally Came Down to $20,000. lhe mystery which Las so long enveloped the whereabouts of the body of the millionaire dry goods dealer, Alexander T. Stewart, forms the subject of a chapter in Superintendent George W. Walling’s book. “The Recollections of a New York Chief of Police.” A New York special says: The ex-Superintendent professes to give the only true story of the stealing of the body, and also alleges that the body was subsequently returned to representatives of Judge Hilton. Tne remains were buried in St. Mark’s churchyard, corner of Second avenue and Tenth street, in an underground vault, the entrance to which was covered by a flagstone, which in turn was sodded over level with the surrounding surface, so that there was no outward evidence of its location. Judge Hilton had discovered evidences that the vault had been tampered with, and set a watch; but, as nothing further transpired, the watch was withdrawn, and three nights later—that is, on the night of Nov. 6, or the morning of vault was broken open and the remains stolen. Judge Hilton was firmly of the opinion that the sexton or his assistant had guuty knowledge of the transaction ; but this was never shown. The Judge at once offered u reward of 825,100 for the return of the body and the conviction of the grave robbers. The first clue came from General Patrick H* Jones, ex-l’ostmaster of New York, who notified Walling that an ex-soldier who had served under him claimed to know something about Mr. Stewart s body, and with proper encouragement would give imormation leading to the recovery. The superintendent submitted the offer to J udge Hilton, who declared he would never pay one cent for Mr. btewurt’s bones unless they came accompanied by tne thieves in irons. General Jones was persistent, and wanted to work up the case un i air.inge for buying the body. He showed letters from the thieves, and a few days later gave the police a package expressed to him irom Boston, containing a coffin-plate, which was identified by tne engraver who had done the work. To complete their identification, the robbers sent a piece of paper that fitted exa, tly the hole in the velvet cover in the coffin cut by themselves when the body was removed. This is now in the hands of Sexton Hamill, and the coffin-plate is at police headquarters. Judge Hilton remained unalterable, and the case was dropped by the authorities, but continued by private detectives. Mrs. Stewart differed with her counsel, and strongly wished to recover the body. learning this fact, the robbers opened correspondence with her directly. No truce of the bony or thieves was found until January, 1882, when Gon. Jones called at headquarters. He brought with him a parcel which contained the silver knobs and several of the handles belonging to the coffin in which the body had been buried. He also showed some letters he had received. They purported to have been written in Canada, and were signed “Henry G. Romaine. ” With the first letter a Siou bill was inclosed as a retainer for him to act as attorney for the return of the body upon the payment of 82,0,000. The letter then went on to tell the hour ut which the body was taken; how it was inclosed in a zinc-lined trunk, and taken to Canada, and buried. It said the features were perfectly preserved, except the eyes. This was the letter which inclosed the bit of paper corresponding with the size of the hole in the velvet, and promised, if further proof was required, to send the coffin-plate upon the insertion in the New York Herald of these words: “Canada—Send P. Counsel.” The personal was inserted, and under date of Boston, dan. bl, 1873, a letter came saying the plate was sent fiom there to avoid the scrutiny of customs officials on the Canadian border. The plate was received and identified. General Jones was instructed, in case the relatives were ready to negotiate for the remains, to insert this personal In the Herald: “Canada—Will do business. Counsel.” This was done at Judge Hilton’s request. The reply which came fro-n Boston, Feb. 11, set forth the terms upon which the body would be restored. They were as follows : 1. The amount to be paid shall be 8200,000. 2. The body will be delivered to yourself and Judge Hilton within twenty-five miles of the city of Montreal, and no other person shall be present. 3. The money to be placed in your hands or under jour control until Judge Hilton is fully satisfied, when you will deliver it to my representative. 4. Both parties to maintain forever an unbroken silence in regard to the transaction. Judge Hilton refused to agree to the terms proposed, end further declined to negotiate through the medium of “personals ” Romaine was then written to, General Jones informing him of the condition of things. His reply was soon received, ordering Mr. Jones to break off all communication with Judge Hilton, and open negotiations with Mrs. Stewart. No notice was taken of this request, but in March Judge Hilton made an offer of 825,0D0 for the body. General Jones made the fact known to Romaine, who respectfully but firmly declined. This closed the correspondence. The robbers becoming discouraged, now offered to sell the body for 8100,000. Mrs. Stewart was willing, and ordered her representatives to pay the amount. They delayed matters until the figure was reduced to 820,000, which was accepted. The conditions of delivery were severe. The messenger with the money was to leave Now York Citj- at 10 p. m., alone, in a one-horse wagon, and drive into Westchester County, along a lonely road, which was indicated on a map sen by the thieves. Some time before morning, if the man was acting in good faith, and was not accompanied or followed by detectives, he would be met and given further directions. A young relative of Mrs. Stewart undertook the hazardous errand. Two or three times during the night he was certain that he was closely watched, hut it was 3 o’clock when a masked horseman rode up, gave the signal agreed on, and turned the buggy up a lonely lane. The strange visitor here left him, directing him to drive on. At the end of another mile he became aware that another wagon was blocking the way. He paused. A masked man promptly appeared and brought forward a bag to his buggy, saying, “Here it is ; where’s the money ?” “Where’s the proof of identity?” asked the messenger, as the bog containing the mortal remains of A. T. Stewart was lifted into the buggy. “Here,” said the other, holding up an irreg ularbitof velvet, and opening a bull's-eye lantern with a click. The piece was compared with a bit of paper of th ; same shape, which the New-Yorker had brought with him to this lonely spot. "Come ; hurry up, ” was the command. The messenger obeyed by producing the money, and the robbers retired a few feet, and counted it by the light of the lantern. Then they moved off to their vehicle, and the messenger of Mrs. Stewart drove back the way he had come. The next night a freight car went out to Garden City, containing nothing except a trunk, and on it sat a man who had spent the previous night in the loneliest part of Westchester County. An empty coffin had been already deposited in the cathedral, and at the dead of night two men transferrred the bones to it from the trunk. They then placed the coffin in an inaccessible vault beneath the dome. If any one should ever again touch, unbidden, the vault which holds tbe bones of tbe merchant millionaire the touch would release a hidden spring, which would shake the chimes in the tower and send an instant alarm throughout the town