In February 1911, a disturbing report out of Erie, Pennsylvania, told of a crime that seemed almost too grotesque to believe: a wealthy family mausoleum had been broken open, its crypts ransacked, and one body carried away.
The Scott mausoleum in Erie Cemetery belonged to the family of William L. Scott, a former congressman and railroad and coal magnate whose fortune had made him one of the most powerful men of his time. But the grandeur of the tomb did not protect it from vandals.
When a group of women passing through the cemetery noticed the bronze gate was unlocked, an investigation revealed the terrible damage inside.
Several crypts had been forced open. Copper casket cases were broken apart, some caskets were nearly destroyed, and one had vanished altogether.
Authorities believed the thieves may have been looking for a specific body, since several crypts had been opened but only one casket removed.
The missing remains were reported to be those of Mrs. McCullom, a sister-in-law of the late Congressman Scott and a member of a prominent Philadelphia family.
Investigators suspected the stolen body was being held for ransom.
Tomb Ransacked and Robbed
ERIE, Pennsylvania. — The magnificent Scott mausoleum, located in Erie Cemetery, has been ransacked and robbed.
Several of the crypts were broken into, the copper cases holding the caskets have been opened apparently with chisels, and two or three of the caskets practically demolished, while one was taken away entirely.
A company of women passing through the cemetery, made the discovery. On nearing the heavy bronze gates, they noticed that the lock on the outer gate was not fastened. Investigation was made immediately and the facts above set forth were discovered.
It is thought the vandals were searching for some particular body since a number of the crypts were broken into, though only one casket was actually removed from the mausoleum.
Detectives have been retained and will be put to work on the case.
William L. Scott amassed a great fortune through railroad and coal interests. At his death he had become President and director of not less than 22,000 miles of railroads in the United States and Canada and his mining interests covered upward of 70,000 acres of coal lands. In 1884 he was elected to COngresss, serving two terms. He died September 18, 1891, at Newport, Rhode Island.
The missing body is reported to be that of Mrs. McCullom, a sister-in-law of the late Congressman. Mrs. McCullom’s maiden name was Tracey and she was a member of a prominent Philadelphia family.
It is believed the missing body is being held for ransom.
Source: The Montgomery Advertiser. Montgomery, Ala. February 9, 1911.
