Text: Anonymous, “Removing the Body of Edgar A. Poe,” Baltimore Gazette (Baltimore, MD), vol. XXXVI, no. 79, October 1, 1875, p. 4, col. 2

[page 4, column 2, continued:]

REMOVING THE BODY OF EDGAR A. POE.

In placing the base for the Poe monument at Westminster burial ground. It was found necessary in order to secure a proper foundation, to remove the earth below the bottom of the grave where the coffin lay, and to change the position of the coffin from that in which it was originally laid. A new burial case was provided into which the old one was placed. In doing this the top of the coffin at the hear crumbled in and left an opening through which the crumbling remains could be seen. The skull was lying to the position in which the head lay when buried. The graveclothes and all except the bones had crumbled to dust, leaving the skeleton white and bare.

The lid was hastily closed on the new case, and all that remained of the poet, whose memory has become immortal, was gently lowered into what will probably be his last resting place. Every effort is now being made to place the monument in position, and the old Westminster Churchyard will at last show a monument to genius in the beautiful marble shaft over the poet's grave.