The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-10-14
A SKULL IN A SACK.
Human Bones Found at Second
and Union Streets.
SECRET OF AN OLD FOUNDATION
Two Mysterious Men Are Frightened
Away at Night-The Discov-
cry Follows.

human skull and the upper bone OF an
arm nicely done up in brown paper inside
a new gunnyxack were found yesterday
morning by Edward r. Davis, a contrac-
tor. in the old unfinished foundation at
the southeast corner Of Second and Union
streets. There is not mark on the skull
to indicate foul play, but its shape Is
something to call for speculation from
physicians The whole affair is shroud-
ed in deep mystery. but so far does not
suggest any horrible crime
Two Mysterious Men.
Night before last about Ii 30 O'Clock Dir.
Davis who lives on Third street, between
University and Union, was on his way
home from lodge. He walked down Sec
ond street to Union. and there turned
eastwso1. walking along the south side OF
Union street. He heard a noise down IN
the old foundation and when he reached
the end of the billboard that runs east
from the corner of second along Union ne
stopped and looke- down into the dark
and dismal hole. TO his surprise he
caught sight OF two forms, and, thinking
that they might be there for no good pur-
pose. he called out:
wei. boys, what are you doing down
there?"
In a moment everything was as silent
as death. Davis then concluded to find
out what Was going on, anyway. and
walked up To the alley that runs south
Third. and along the east edge of the
foundation. 1t is quite distance down
to the bottom of the foundation, but some
stones set like steps allow one TO go part
way down. and to jump from that point is
not difficult or dangerous. Davis let him
self down and started toward the corner
where be had seen the men. but did not
get far. as they suddenly appeared and
made their way out on Union street over
some lumber Davis climbed back into
the alley and saw them run up the alley
between Second and Third streets toward
Pike.
\ Bag of Rones in a Pit.
Yesterday morning Davis came to the
conclusion he would investigate the old
foundation and find out what the mys-
terious men were doing II was shorter
undertaking than he had anticipated, for
after walking along the top walls to the
corner of Second and Union streets he
crawled down a long plank and found
himself in a sort of pit, well grown up
with sm>ll arees II is only step through
a doorway into the space under the side
walk. and here Davis made the discovery.
In the southeast corner of the sidewalk
chamber were a few boards tipped up
carefully against the wall Davis pulled
one of them away and found a new gum
nysack nicely done up and wound around
and around with a chalk line, or
heavy white cord. He cut the string, and
on opening the bag found package COW
cred with brown paper and tied with
small white string. The thought of dyna-
mite flashed through his mind, and FOR
moment lie handled his mysterious find
gingerly. He balanced 1t carefully in his
hand and decided that 1t was altogether
too light for a life exterminator.
I'll open il for luck, anyway" he said
10 himself. and with that he commenced
stripping off the brown paper.
Human skull and Cross Bone.
A moment later Davis discovered that
he had a human skull with one cross bone
in his hands. A feeling Of squeamishness
went over him. but his curiosity overcame
this and he lifted the gruesome object up
to get a better look at them. As he did
so the lower jaw bone fell 10 the ground.
Davis picked it up and crawled out Of the
old foundation. 4 policeman strolled past
and Davis hailed him.
Look at these things" he said.
The policeman became greatly interested
and thought il would be a good idea for
Davis to take them down TO police head
quarters. Davis thought they were too
valuable, but concluded to go over to But
terworth's undertaking rooms where he
could examine his find at leisure.
Peculiarities OF the Find.
The skull was that OF full-grown per-
son and had been scraped clean. Nege-
table growth in the eye-sockets and the
condition or tho base OF the brain showed
that death had taken place some time ago
The shape of the skull. however, was
what attracted special attention. The gem
eral form resembled an orange after hav-
ing been pressed between the hands and
one hand pushed TO one side The fore
head sloped directly back from the eyes
but commencing at the left eye the depres-
sion was much more pronounced, and ex-
tended directly back over the head to the
hack where there was an abnormal en-
largement of the skull. on the other side
of the head. at the back. in direct contrast
TO this abnormal development was an alb
normi depression, almost a fiat surface
The nose bone was turned to the right
Scattered over the forehead were spots
that looked like dried blood and on careful
inspection OF the skull II was seen that
there was a small and rather sharp de-
preston in the left temporal bone. Another
peculiar thing was the absence of ten
teeth from the upper and lower Jaws. The
three back double teeth were left on either
side OF both upper and lower jaws and
more perfect teeth We're never seen The
arm bone was scraped clean and had the
appearance of being older than the skull.
Davis says he would not sell his treas
urc." but would like 10 know the dead
mans name.
The Anticipated appearance OF the bones
suggests the possibility OF a Joke Chief
/ Of Police Rogers after hearing all the facts
known said he could not see any indica-
tons Of crime.