Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 January 1912 — Page 3

WORLD’S FAMOUS POLICE MYSTERIES

TRUE RECORDS OF EXTRAORDINARY CASES IN ANNALS OF CRIME

The Resurrection Men

8T is fairly well known that- “boycotting” takes, its name frpm Captain Boycott, who was ostracised by his neighbors during the Irish troubles of 30 years ago; but fewer persons are aware that, when they speak of “burking” an inquiry—a phrase more, commonly used in England than in America —they recall one of the most bloodthirsty and callous ruffians that ever stretched a hempen cord. William Burke shares the distinction, with Boycott and Mclntosh, of having given a word to the English language. ' The atrocities of " which this diabolical murderer was guilty, •With his confederate, Hare, in the early part of the last century- stirred all Great Britain. Devoid of all sense of humanity, he committed almost innumerable murders, *for which his only reward was the paltry fee paid by the medical schools for the bodies of his victims. At first one of the “Resurrection Men,” so called because they obtained their subjects from the grave, Burke introduced murder as an accessory of this fiendish trade. The scene of Burke’s exploits was Edinburgh, which had tong been stirred by the mysterious disappearance of persons in the lowest ranks of life. Of whose whereabouts nothing could be subsequently learned. Tramps vanished, Irish laborers who had come over for the harvesting, and in one case an idiot, known as “Daft Jamie,” a local celebrity on aoeouut of his inoffensive good-nature, passed from the ken of his associates. Before the crimes of Burke were brought to light Edinburgh was already aroused, and suspicion was universal that some gang of murderers was at work, though the poverty of their victims made the motive of robbery appear Improbable. At tills time the art of surgery had begun to make great advances, but the law contained no provision with regard to the method whereby surgeons -were to be provided with subjects for the study of anatomy. The occasional execution of a criminal, whose remains were ordered by the term of his sentence to he given over to the surgeons for dissection, afforded no sufficient supply to meet the constantly increasing demand, and the stealing of bodies was a practice openly encouraged by the professors of anatomy, although it excited universal disgust and hatred. During the tong war with France the period of Him required for the completion of the education of medical students so as to qualify them for service in the army and navy, was very short, "■and -then the highest price paid for “subjects" was four guineas; but as the number of students increased and the period of study was lengthened the prioe rose rapidly, until it varied between eight and sixteen guineas, or from forty to eighty dollars. The method adopted by Burke and Hare was to entice poor persons into a humble lodging house which the former rented, to stupefy them with drink and laudanum, and then, having rendered them unconscious, to suffocate them, a method of procedure w£ich left no tell-tale marks to arouse the suspicion of the too easily satisfied surgeons. Hare was a rude ruffian, with all the outward aspects of Ms nature, while Burke, a whining, plausible fellow, went out to prowl for his victims and to decoy them to their destruction. They had two women accomplices: Mrs. McDougal, who passed aft the wife of Burke, and Mrs. Lairdl who stood in the same relationship .to Hare. Their lodging was notorious for the drunken brawls which frequently occurred within, and it was afterward discovered that these were got up designedly by the confederates in order to drown the cries of their victims. The occurrence which immediately led to the discovery of these crimes was the unaccountable disappearance of a mendicant named MaTy Campbell, an Irishwoman, who, after having been seen to frequent the same: district of Edinburgh for a lengthy period, suddenly disappeared. The poor - woman happened to have friends, who requested the police to investigate the circumstances that had led to her disappearance. The idea was suggested that her body might possibly be found at one of the medical schools for which Edinburgh was then famous, and the remains were discovered at the dissecting room of Dr. Knox, a distinguished anatomist, bearing marks perfectly conclusive of her identity. The medical men by whom the body was examined gave it as their opinion that suffocation had been the cause of death, and an inquiry wss at once set on foot as to the identity of the individual from whom the subject had been purchased. A man named Patersoif, who acted as porter at Dr. Knox’s museum, now came forward and.' mentioned the names oLßurlfo add Hare, and ho related the circumstances of the purchase to the police sergeant He

(Copyright, by W. G. Chapman.)

stated that on October 31 the two men called at the dissecting rooms and stated that they had something for the doctor, at the lodging house. Paterson had previously visited this place and was well acquainted with its location, and on the following morning he went to the house In Tanner’s Close, where he found the two men and their women accomplices. He gave them five pounds and agreed that three more should be paid if the subject proved desirable. Oh the same night the body arrived, packed in a tea-chest. It had not yet been examined at the time that the police arrived, and, upon the chest being opened, evidences of suffocation were manifest. Coincident with this discovery the testimony of two other witnesses was voluntarily offered. Mr. and Mrs. Gray, persons of poor station who were traveling*through Edinburgh, informed the police that ,certain occurrences of the night of October 31 had aroused the most dreadful suspicions in their minds. They stated that they had taken temporary lodgings in Burke’s house, and that toward evening they had seen him enter with Mary Campbell, who appeared to be intoxicated. In the morning they inquired of Mrs. Burke what had become of her and were told that she had been put out of the house for impudence. The explanation did not entirely allay the witnesses’ doubts, and seising the opportunity to peer into Burke’s room, they discovered the body of the murdered woman under a heap of straw. Terror-stricken by this they immediately collected their belongings and proceeded to leave the house. Mrs. Burke attempted to dissuade them, saying that “it might be worth ten pounds a week to them” to remain. They, however, escaped at the first opportunity, and on the following day communicated their discovery to the police. Upon the arrival of the authorities at the Tanner’s Close they found it to be a scene well fitted for the performance of such tragedies as had recently been enacted there. The Close was a dark and narrow passage and contained only one house, which was situated at the bottom. Here, almost shut out from the light of Heaven, dwelt tills detestable murderer in two rooms, one of which he occupied with the MacDougal Woman, while the ether he rented out to lodgers. The former contained nothing but a miserable bed, a'broken table and some straw, while the latter was absolutely bare. Fortunately the police found the four confederates, men and women. assembled, and they were Immediately placed under arrest and conveyed to prison. Burke,'it appeared, had carried on the pretended trade of a shoemaker, and nearly 40 pairs of old shoes were discovered in his room, but the, discovery was also made of a great number of suits of clothes, bearing distinct marks of blood, which showed that Mary Campbell had been only the last of a long train of victims. The examination of the prisoners before the magistrates of Edinburgh only served to bring to light fresh atrocities, and a wave of universal horror spread through the city as one disclosure after another was made. The evidence as to the guilt of the men was completely conclusive, although great doubts as to the possibility of securing sufficient to convict the women existed. During the period between the committal of the prisoners and their trial, Hare, who had been the leading spirit in these deeds, with a degree of treachery excelling that of his fellowconspirator, offered to make disclosures upon the subject of their crimes, or, as it is phrased, to turn “King’s evidence,” upon condition that a pardon should be granted to him and the woman Laird. So far his partner was concerned, she had been the least guilty, and her discharge occasioned no difficulty considerable doubt was entertained'sis tg the advisability of indemnifying tiie* murderer Hare. Long consultations were held by the magistrates upon the matter, but it was at -length decided that, for the sake of just ice, which demanded the most satisfactory and complete evidence as to the way in which this horrible traffic was carried on, and to secure tfie conviction of at least one of the, .gang, Hare’s offer should be

accepted. The prisoner then made his confession to the officers of the jail; but on account of ’the excited state of public feeling it was 4 not at the time published. Some portions of the confession. however, found their way into the public prints of the time and sent a thrill of horror through the entire country. ■ The first murder which Hare charged against Burke, although -it was surmised that the wretch had been guilty of many previous crimes, was the murder of a young girl named Paterson, not more than 18 or-20 years of age. Burke had accosted her and a companion in the streets .of the town and invited them to drink with him. The women accompanied him to tbs house of his brother, a scavenger, where Mrs. Burke (Mrs. MacDougal) and Hare met the party. A quarrel

By H. M. EGBERT

ensued and, much agitated, Paterson’s companion left the house, her friend being then fast asleep, overcome by the liquor, in one of the beds. About half an hour later the companion returned and asked where her companion was gone. Burke told her that she had left the house—a statement which was entirely true, for at that time the murder had been accomplished and the body disposed of to the surgeons. Mention has already been made of “Daft Jamie,” the idiot. The circumstances attendant upon his death are even more repellent. “Daft Jamie” was quite harmless and kind-hearted, and was on this account universally liked and welcomed in all the homes of the neighborhood. It is probable that he had been marked down for some time before his death by the murderous gang, as one that might easily be removed without suspicion being aroused. One morning while wandering aimlessly in the Grass Market he was accosted by Burke in Liis usual fawning manner and asked whether he was in search of any one. The idiot replied that be was looking for his mother, to whom he was warmly attached, Burke persuaded him that he knew where his mother had gone and, by coaxing and flattery, decoyed him into Hare’s house. Then, professing great affection for the idiot, the monsters pressed spirits upon him. “Daft Jamie” at first refused, but by their assumed kindness they persuaded him to join them in their potations, and they plied him so effectually that he was soon lying in a stupor upon the floor. “Shall I do it now?” asked Burke, bending over his victim. v _. “He is too strong for you yet,” answered Hare. “Let him lie a little •longer” Both the ruffians were afraid of the physical strength which they knew the poor creature possessed. Burke waited a little longer, but avarice overcame his fears, and he precipitated himself upon the idiot, who roused from his stupor by the attack resisted desperately. It took the united efforts of tiie scoundrels to accomplish their task successfully. Hare having obtained a pardon for himself and the woman with whom he lived, Burke and his partner were placed upon trial on December 28,: the indictment charging them with several murders, as disclosed by Hare’s confession. After deliberation on the part of the Crown, however, it was decided that the indictment charging the murder of Mary Campbell should alone be' proceeded with. The Grays and the porter having given their evidence. Hare was called Into the witness box, and Lord Meadowbank, who presided, earnestly cautioned him to give his evidence with truth. Hare sullenly answered that he intended to do so, hut that his evidence related soleV to the case of Mrs. Campbell. Into the hideous details of the crime, as described by the informer, it is unnecessanr to enter; let It suffice to say tlrat Hare fully confessed bis share in the murder, corroborating the evidence of the other witnesses. \ At half-past eight in the evening th? jury retired to consider their verdict. During the period of their absence, which extended to 50 minutes, almost complete silence prevailed in the court room, so breathless and eager were the spectators to learn the result of their deliberations. Upon their return the jury found Burke guilty of wilful murder, but, contrary to all expectation, brought in a verdict of “Not proven” against the woman MacDougal. ( Lord Meadowbauk immediately pronounced sentence of death upon the prisoner and ordered him to be hanged on January 28, and his body to be delivered to the surgeons for dissection." " —•— •••-• -—"" • The condemned mad was removed to the lock-up with the MacDougal woman, the authorities fearing to release her immediately through fear pf the vengeance of the mob. On the way they encountered Hare, who was being conveyed to the Calton Hill Jail upon a charge of other murders. concerning which no pledge of immunity had been given him. On the following Friday Mrs. MacDougal was set free, and forthwith proceeded to her old abode. On the next day, issuing from- the house to purchase splr-

its, she was recognised, and only the timely intervention of the police saved her life from the fury of the populace. In the meantime Burke had become as communicative as Hare bad been and proceeded to confess some of the crimes which be had committed. He confessed that he had sold ns many as 39 or 40 subjects to the surgeons. “Had you any accomplices T he was asked. “None but Hare. We always took care, when we were going to commit murder, that no one else should be present. The women might suspect what we were about, but we always put them cut of the way.” "Were yon associated with Hare all the timer ' - , ' "Tea. We began by selling to a t •• ~ ;

The police found the four confederates, men and women, assemble.

doctor the body of a woman who had died a natural death in Hare’s house. We got ten pounds for it. After this we began the murders, and all the rest of the bodies we sold were murdered." "By what means were these fearful atrocities perpetrated?” “By suffocation. We made the persons drunk, and then suffocated them by holding the nostrils and mouth and kneeling on the body." “Did you receive-any encouragement to persevere in committing these atrocities?” •• “ “Yes, we were frequently told by Paterson that he would take as many bodies as we could get for him. When we got one he always told us to get more.” t

“To whom were the bodies so murdered sold?’’ “To Dr. . We took the bodies to bis rooms in , and then went to his house to receive the money for them. Sometimes he paid us himself; sometimes we were paid by his assistants. No questions were ever asked as to the mode in which we had come by the bodies. We had nothing to do but to leave a body at the rooms and to go and get the money.” The victims selected, Burke added, were generally elderly persons, since they could more easily be assassinated than those vigor of youth. Although Hare had been arrested after the trial upon a charge of having committed other murders, the public authorities eventually decided that the charge Bhould not be proceeded with. This decision was partly a matter of public faith, but partly in view of the fact that a conviction would have been difficult to secure. Hare’s own confession was a privileged communication which could not be produced in evidence against him; that of Burke would be equally useless, for he would suffer the extreme penalty of the law before the case could come up for trial; Hare’s wife—for he seems to have married the woman Laird—could not, in law, give evidence against him; while the testimony of the MacDougal woman, prejudiced as it must be through vindictiveness at the loss of her paramour, could not be relied upon. Great excitement was created by this determination of the authorities.' A petition was presented to the High Court of Justiciary in tfie name of the mother and sister of “Daft Jamie,” the idiot, for a warrant to detain Hare in Jail to answer the charge of having caused his death; but the court declined to interfere, the right of prosecution lying in the hands of the Lord Advocate. Meanwhile Mrs. MacDougal had again been suffered to leave the Jail and had made her escape from Edinburgh unperceived. - Upon the night on which she was taken to the prison foe security she told a story to the police which, if true, removes the last possible vestige of commiseration for the two murderers. She stated that one night Burke and Hare were carousing in the latter’s house, the two women being in an adjacent room. In the midst of their drunken quarrels Hare raised his band and, in a fil of fiendish exultation, said that they could never be at a loss for a “subject,” for in such event they would murder and sell first one and then the other of the women. * Upon her release Mrs. MacDougal

disappeared from the public ken and was never thereafter heard of. On Wednesday, January 28, 1829, pursuant to his sentence, Burke suffered the extreme penalty of the law. During the latter portion of bis confinement he declared that his confession bad tended materially to relieve bin mind, and he professed contrition for his crimes. On the day of the execution he was taken from the Jail to the lock-up at the court house, where the scaffold had been erected, under a strong escort of police, A tremendous crowd had assembled to witness Burke’s final exit from life, and seats commanding a view of the gallows rented at enormous prices. Upon his | coming forth upon the platform he was assailed with such hideous yells of execration that he hastened to assist the hangman in the performance of his task, and the sentence was put into effect in the midst of a struggling mob, anxious to anticipate the vengeance of the law. • - On February 12 the murderer Hare and his wife were finally discharged from custody, and appear to have parted company, for Mrs. Hare was nearly torn to pieces by a mob at Glasgow, to which city she proceeded, while Hare nearly suffered a similar fate at Dumfries. The mail landed him there at about seven o’clock in the morning and, although there bad been no intimation that he was expected, so keen was the excitement in all parts of the kingdom that be was immediately recognized by the populace, who assailed him with bricks, sticks, stones and whatever they could lay their b&nds upon. He succeeded in effecting his escape into the Kings Arms inn whore he obtained refuge, but the crowd surrounded the house and demanded that he should be surrendered to them, and it was not until nightfall that he finally succeeded in making his escape. Of his subsequent history only a legend remains. The excitement, caused by these events had spread all over the country. The crimes of Burke and Hare came as the culmination of a long period of suspicion and suspense., These were not the only persons who had murdered to supply "subjects” to the medical schools. About the same date Bishop, the notorious bodysnatcher, made a confession in Newgate before his execution, in whioh be ownedHe having disposed of between 600 and 1,000 bodies, of which 0Q had |>een murdered. His conviction was for the murder of an Italian boy, whom. In company with two confederates, May and Williams, he decoyed into his house' in Shoreditch under pretense of finding him work. There he was stupefied with a mixture of rum and laudanum and, when asleep, a rope was attached to his feet and he was dropped head first info a well in the garden. After some three quarters of an hour, which the murderers spent in strolling about the streets to “occupy the time,” they returned, stripped the body and hawked fWr victim all over London, haggling over toe price, hut finally disposing of it to King’s College for nine guineas. Suspicion was aroused, however, an to the cause of death, and the murderers were detained until the police arrived. A~ testable reign of terror mm existed in Scotland and England- The daily papers were filled with accounts of persons who bad suddenly disap-

peared or had been "burked,’* as was called; and toe universal alarm which prevailed was rendered greater by the absurd practice of drunken or idle fellows who stopped persons * whom they met in lonely places and pretended to clap a plaster over their mouths and noses with intent to suffocate. The matter was taken up on , the assembling of parliament, and -td bill was passed authorizing the dissection of the bodies of such as died in hospitals and were net! claimed within a short period after : their deeease. Soon after this had become enacted Into law the crime es body-snatching was no more beard ofL Mention has bees made of a legendt ' concerning the latter end of Hare. Forty years after the execution of hisL confederate in crime a pitiable blind mendicant, horribly scarred, was seen to frequent the London streets. Tbit, It was whispered, was the master mind of toe two criminals, and, though he had cheated the his end was hardly less tragical. Soon after the trial be had fallen into the ’ hands of some workmen, who threw him into a lime-pit, where be lost his eyesight

Disappointed.

In "Yesterday with the Fathers” Dr. William Wiberforce Newton gives an entertaining anecdote concerning one of the "Fathers” and an observant small girl. When preaching, the bishop had a peculiar habit of breathing in air like an organ bellows: and sometimes the** whistling of his air pipes could be beard by the occupants of the pews near the pulpit. A little girl in Old Trinity church, becoming restless during the preaching, asked her mother to let her go home. The mother refused, because she supposed that the bishop was Sf>4il proaching the end of his discourse. After the third refusal from fieri mother, who whispered that the bishop would not like to see a little girl go ont of church while be was preaefe f ing, and that he was almost done now, the child answered in a high falsetto: “ "No, mother, be is not going to stop. I thought so now for three times, hut he has gone and blowed , himself up again.”—Youth’s Companion.

Careful of Her Feelings.

"Now, Bobby and Lydia," said the. children’s mamma, “when Louise comes again yon must remember and not ask her the exact shade of color of each member of her family, as I heard you doing today. The colored people are sometimes sensitive about being called "Colored.’ So ho careful In future when you speak to her." Next washday when Louise arrived, . Aunt dda said to her: “I've sorted the elothes, Louise. The white clothes are in the tub and the colored m -& “Aunt Ada!” shouted Bobby and * Lydia In shocked Surprise from the kitchen doorway. “In a minute, children ” she replied, and resumed, and the colored •'*