Rensselaer Republican, Volume 21, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 June 1889 — HUMAN GHOULS. [ARTICLE]

HUMAN GHOULS.

The pillaging of the honses in Johnstown is something awful to contemplate and desciioe, It makes one feel almost ashamed to call himself a man and know that others who bear the same name have converted themselves into human vultures, preying on the dead. Men are carrying shot guns and revolvers and woe betide the ttranger who looks even suspiciously at anv article. Goods of great value were being sold in town Sunday for a drink of whisky. A supply store has been established in the ward of Johnstown. A line of meß, women and children extending for a square waited patiently to have their wants supplied. Bach hour reveals some new and horrible story of outrage. Just as darkness began to shadow the earth Saturday evening a party of thirteen Hungarians started ont to rob the dead. Several farmers suspicious of their purpose, armed themselves and followed tnem. They were soon caught in the act. Thev not only robbed tbe dead, bnt cat off the fingers to secure tbe rings thereon, or would slit the ear to get the jewels without the labor of unclaepin?. The fanners panned the ghouls. Nine nf them escaped, bat soar of the inhuman monsters were literally driven into the surging river and death. Sunday morning another gang of Hungarians were discovered in the same ghoulish work. Tbe party was captared and their pockets were fooad to be filled with fingers and pieces of the ears of their victims. Ropes were thrown over the branches of a tree and the wretches were hnng like the dogs they were. Other and similar cases are renorted, bnt on Monday complete control of the territory had been secured, and it was dangerous for * man to even look with covetous eyes on what be might behold. The disaster at Johnstown, Fa, is the * greatest in modern history.