In 1895, a condemned murder lost a bet and his corpse to Dr. Rucker. Before Carlo Perri could face his execution at the hands of the state, he committed suicide, and then the doctor came to collect his reward for dissection.
Fun times!
He Won the Corpse
Denver, Co. — Dr. Rucker, coroner at Pocatello, Idaho, arrived in Denver today. He is seeking possession of a body won in a game of cards.
His antagonist was Dr. Cuneo, the Italian consul.
Carlo Perri committed suicide just before the day set for his execution for the murder of Mc. Namara.
One day Perri offered to wager his corpse against $100 that he could defeat Dr. Rucker at cards. If he should win, the doctor should send the money to Perri’s mother. In case he lost, the doctor could have his body to dissect.
They played and Dr. Rucker won. Perri signed a paper ordering that his body should forever remain in the possession of Dr. Rucker.
The dead man’s relatives insist that the remains shall be properly buried.
Dr. Cuneo will make every effort to gain possession of what is left of the Italian murderer and bury the bones according to the rites of the Church of Rome.
Source: Pullman herald. (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]), 18 May 1895.
