Cash-for-bodies sparked spree

Published date04 February 2021
Publication titleDaily Record, The / Sunday Mail (Glasgow, Scotland)
EDINBURGH was a leading centre for anatomical research in the 19th century but the demand for legal cadavers was so high not enough people were dying.

Corpses for medical research could only come from those who had died in prison, suicide victims, or from orphanages. So, bodysnatchers stole from newly dug graves and sold the bodies.

William Burke and William Hare were working for Dr Robert Knox in the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. The pair killed 16 people to sell to Dr Knox.

Hare later testified Burke, who was said have performed most the killings. Burke was hanged in front of 25,000 people and Hare was eventually released from prison.

His eventual fate remains unknown.

DAY 5 Bank robbers and gangsters 'SAWNEY' BEAN 16TH CENTURY

Cannibal clan caused terror ACCORDING to legend, the Bean clan killed and

ACCORDING to legend, the Bean clan killed and ate 1000 people during a 25-year reign of terror, while hiding out in a sea cave between Girvan and Ballantrae in south-west Scotland.

Headed by Sawney Bean, the incestuous family - which included 14 children and 32 grandchildren - preyed on travellers. They robbed, killed and ate them after hacking bodies into quarters and pickling them in their cave.

Their reign came to an end when they set upon a man at a fair who fought back with a pistol.

The clan were reported to the magistrates of Glasgow who, in turn, informed King James. He was said to have assembled 400 men and a huge number of bloodhounds to track them down.

No trial was given and they were sentenced death. A total of 27 men were hanged, drawn and quartered while the women and children were forced to watch.

The remaining 21 women were burned alive like witches.

CATHEDRAL SQUARE AMBUSH 1921

Gang gun down cops A POLICE wagon was taking prisoners from Glasgow's old Central Police Court in St Andrew's Square to Duke Street Prison in May 1921.

Inside was IRA officer Frank J Carty, left - on minor charges - and the police were nervous.

They had been warned the IRA may try to free Carty and were breathing a huge sigh of relief as they neared the prison. Suddenly gunfire erupted as a 30-strong gang attacked the wagon in Cathedral Square. Inspector Robert Johnston was shot dead and Detective Sergeant George Stirton seriously wounded. A total of 34 people were later arrested and 13 were sent for trial. But the jury accepting alibi pleas for the defendants and they were released. Carty, who was wanted by the Irish authorities, was sent to Dublin.

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