Death, dying, burial, and exhumation: all subjects that fascinate and frighten. In this list, ten significant cases of exhumation (the act of digging up a corpse after burial) are discussed. Whether the subject of death interests you as much as us, you are going to love this quirky look into the bizarre practice of modern and usually-legal grave-robbing.
Here are two examples:
Civil War General ‘Stonewall’ Jackson
Jackson was not exhumed, but his left arm was. As a result of friendly fire, Jackson had to have his left arm amputated. The arm was buried at the battlefield in Chancellorville, Virginia and Jackson was taken from battle to a safe place to recuperate. He contracted pneumonia and died eight days after the amputation. Jackson’s body was buried in Lexington, Virginia.
In 1929, Jackson’s left arm was dug up and reburied in the Ellwood Family Cemetery in Spotsylvania, nearly 150 miles (roughly 240 kilometers) away from the rest of his body. The Ellwood tombstone reads: “Arm of Stonewall Jackson”.
Sammy Davis Jr.
Sammy Davis, Jr. died in 1990 due to complications from throat cancer and was buried in a cemetery in Glendale, California. When it was discovered that he was nearly bankrupt, his wife, Altovise, had his body exhumed so she could remove $70,000 worth of jewelry that was buried with him.
More fascinating and bizarre disinterments
That site failed to mention my favorite disinterment subject–President Abraham Lincoln. His body was exhumed and viewed six times after his death and burial, the last time in 1901, 36 years after his death and burial. The events were highly documented; here’s an account of the 1901 disinterment and viewing…
http://home.att.net/~rjnorton/Lincoln13.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Lincoln%27s_burial_and_exhumation
Did I say “my favorite disinterment?”
OMG.
I found this fascinating! Great find Jon and very interesting links Deej!