An interesting account of the recycling of elements appears in the book printed shortly after the Civil War.

It tells of the story of "Who Ate Roger Williams?" The book, A Fourteen Weeks Course in Chemistry, by Dorman Steele, principal of Elmira (NY) Free Academy, was published in New York City in 1868. In discussing the "Circulation of Matter" in nature Steele presents the following information:

The truth that matter passes from the animal back to the vegetable, and from the vegetable to the animal kingdom again, received a curious illustration not long since.

For the purpose of erecting a suitable monument in memory of Roger Williams (1603 – 1683), the founder of Rhode Island, his private burying ground was searched for the graves of himself and wife. It was found that everything had passed into oblivion. The shape of the coffins could only be traced by a black line of carboniferous matter. The rusted hinges and nails, and a round wooden knot, alone remained in one grave; while a single lock of braided hair was found in the other.

Near the grave stood an apple tree. This has sent down two main roots into the very presence of the coffined dead. The larger root, pushing its way to the precise spot occupied by the skull of Roger Williams, had made a turn as if passing around it, and followed the direction of the backbone to the hips. Here, it divided into two branches, sending one along each leg to the heel, when both turned upward to the toes.

As the Twig is Bent….

One of these roots formed a slight crook at the knee, which made the whole bear a striking resemblance to the human form. There were the graves but the occupants had disappeared; the bones even had vanished. There stood the thief, the guilty apple tree, caught in the very act of robbery. The spoliation was complete.

The organic Matter, the flesh, the bones of Roger Williams, has passed into an apple tree. The elements had been absorbed by the roots, transmuted into woody fiber, which could now be burned as fuel, or carved into ornaments: had bloomed into fragrant blossoms, which had delighted the eye of passers-by, and scattered the sweetest perfume of spring; more than that, had been converted into luscious fruit, which from year to year, had been gathered and eaten. How pertinent, then, is the question,