As part of Chicago Mayor, Augustus Garrett's Inaugural Address in 1844, he said this:
I regret to say that depredations have been committed, from time to time, by the disinterment of bodies from the cemetery, in the grossest violation of private feeling as well as of public decency. I would urge the most constant vigilance to prevent such occurrences for the future, and the offering of large rewards for the detection of the offenders.
See the entire speech here.
Chicago Tribune, December 29, 1878