MUTILATED BODY OF DEAD NEGRO
Crowley Signal, March 24, 1922
News Article from Adadia Parish
Submitted by Winston Boudreaux, 2006

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MUTILATED BODY OF DEAD NEGRO
March 24, 1922

The body of Ferris Scott who was buried Monday morning has been disinterred 
and mutilated by ghouls who paid a visit to the grave since the negro was 
buried.  It is thought that this was done Monday night.

The gruesome fact was discovered this morning when the brother of the deceased 
accompanied by Chief of Police Lina and armed with a certificate from 
Dr. M.L. Hoffpauir of the City Board of Health, dug up the negro and made an 
examination of the remains.

Scott’s right arm had been cut off at the elbow, and could not be found anywhere 
in the vicinity, although an attempt had been made to restore the grave to its 
former appearance.

The investigation was made by Chief Lina following a report made to him by the 
brother of the dead man that the grave had been tampered with.  Chief Lina 
promptly went to the grave and saw that what the negro said was true.

The result was that the proper permit was obtained this morning from Dr. Hoffpauir 
and the grave opened. Upon coming to the coffin it was plain that there were 
loose screws and the cover was carelessly put on. Further examination showed 
that Scott’s arm had been removed.

Officers are working on the theory that the motive behind the deed was voodooism.  
It is thought that some relatives of the accused man had stolen this arm as a 
charm to be held in behalf of Ulysse Daniels, the idea being that if some portion 
of the dead man’s anatomy is held by the friends or relatives, the man Daniels 
will escape the penalty of his crime.  This theory is supported by the fact that 
a cousin of the accused man has left town, and while this is not taken as proof 
positive, some weight is placed on the circumstance.