124 HUMAN DISSECTION. ITS DRAMA AND STRUGGLE 



In removing subjects from their buried coffins, deception had 

 to be practiced and proper tools used by resurrectionists: sharp, 

 curved spades with elongated handles, scoops on jointed shafts, 

 grappling tongs and crowbars. The grave was not always exposed 

 directly from above but sometimes at a slant. In the latter case, 

 an amount of turf, about two feet square, was first removed, about 

 15 to 20 feet from where one end of the coffin was judged to be. 

 This was carefully set aside to be replaced later. From this spot, 

 a tunnel was dug leading to the end of the box; once reached, 

 this part was wrenched off and the corpse pulled out through the 

 passageway either by its head or feet; considerable effort was re- 

 quired for this task. The excavated portion was then refilled and 

 the square of sod replaced to its original position. Since the mound 

 directly over the casket was undisturbed by this approach, it was 

 difficult for mourners, revisiting the cemetery, to discern foul 

 play. When several bodies were buried together, as was done 

 during an epidemic, it was necessary to excavate the entire plot. 

 There were other methods utilized. 



Concerned relatives, who were aware of the shenanigans of 

 the body snatchers, tried to put identifying marks on the graves 

 of their departed ones in the hope that they could detect possible 

 interference. The grave robbers were on the alert for such tell- 

 tale signs; when necessary to remove them in the line of their 

 work, they were carefully restored to their former position. Every 

 effort was made by regular gangs to keep the details of their 

 trade a secret. It wasn't until the practice was effectively smashed 

 that the various methods used came to light. 



In the most respectable cemeteries, more elaborate precau- 

 tions were taken to outwit body snatchers. Spring guns were em 

 ployed but they never proved highly effective. Women, employed 

 by gangs, were sent to survey the premises, generally at the time 

 of a funeral, to note and plot the position of the pegs. With this 

 information at hand, the culprits could easily locate the wires 

 leading to the firearm, then remove the latter temporarily, and 

 replace it in its exact previous position when their work was 

 completed. 



The most effective safeguards were the following: solid stone 

 houses in which bodies could be kept until they decomposed. 



