The act of body snatching wasn’t uncommon in 19th century Britain, so a grieving father went to extreme lengths to protect his son’s body during his funeral. Armed with wire and explosives, a crowd drew to the graveside as they watched the man pour gunpowder over the coffin. However, the gravedigger feared for his life with every shovel of earth poured – dreading an explosion!
“DUNDEE FUNERAL.- Curiosity drew together a crowd of people on Monday, at Dundee, to witness the funeral of a child, which was consigned to the grave in a novel manner. The father, in terror of the resurrection men, has caused a small box, enclosing some deathful apparatus, communicating by means of wires with the four corners, to be fastened on the top of the coffin. Immediately before it was lowered into the earth, a large quantity of gunpowder was poured into the box, and the hidden machinery put into a state of readiness for execution. The common opinion was, that if any one attempted to raise the body, he would be blown up. The sexton seemed to dread an immediate explosion; for he started back in alarm after throwing in the first shovelful of earth.- Scotch Paper.“
Stamford Mercury, 1 August, 1823.