Mono County CA Archives News.....Horrible Story February 27, 1882
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Kathy Grace http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00011.html#0002598 January 3, 2011, 8:45 pm

Reno Evening Gazette February 27, 1882 February 27, 1882
Horrible Story
Bodie Doctors Disgrace Their Profession
After a lapse of three days, says the Bodie Free Press, the mystery surrounding
the human remains found in an abandoned shaft by a report is partially
explained, thanks to the faithful work of an intelligent coroner’s jury.  A
great mass of testimony has been given, and the outcome so far is satisfactory
in a measure.  On December 8th Mary E. Turner, a married woman aged 19, died,
and was buried in the Bodie cemetery on the 9th.  The finding of human remains,
and a general discussion of the same, led Mr. Turner to suspicion that they
might be those of his wife.  Wednesday morning he and a few friends went to the
cemetery and opened his wife’s grave.  Before reaching the proper depth things
did not look right, and when the coffin was reached it was found to be empty. 
The husband’s feelings can be better imagined than described.
The Coroner’s Jury, after long and tedious examination of obstinate and
unwilling witnesses, traced the remains found to Dr. Blackwood, who either dug
them up himself or hired the disagreeable work done.  He rented a vacant house
on Fuller street for the purpose (it is believed) and dissected the body of the
late Mrs. Turner.  The skull found its way to Dr. Jones’ office, and a competent
lady witness testified that she recognized the same as the skull of Mrs. Turner
by the teeth, which were remarkably even and handsome.  One witness testified
that he frequently accompanied Dr. Blackwood to the dissecting room, and saw him
use a knife on the remains, cutting away flesh and performing other work in that
direction.  The man who so testified was one of the unwilling witnesses, but the
circumstances were such that he was forced to disgorge a portion of his
knowledge regarding the affair.  Dr. Blackwood testified that he knew nothing
about the remains, and then jumped the town and has not yet been overtaken.


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