The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-30
HISTORICAL RELICS.
The Restoration of Independence Hall
Leads to Discoveries.

Philadelphia Times.
The walls of Independence Hall are Civ
cegtu up Thev would wu haVe been longer hid
den but for the work now in progress,
which, when completed. will have restored
the historic old building to it's original con-
dtion. Now the interior is mass of
debris
Chief among the discoveries was one
made last TueSday-the finding of ruSted
war relics and widowed parchmentS in
hole in the eastern wall of Independence
Chamber.
1t came about in this way: A workman
was busily engaged in knocking loose the
bricks and mortar adjoining the east wall.
He was working almost on a level with the
second f1oor-just few inches below it
when a blow of his hammer loosened sew
eral bricks clinging to the wall. The next
moment they fell, exposing square OPEN
ing sixteen inches in dimensions.
Curious he ran his hand into the open
ing. grasped something hard and brought
it to the light: 1t proved to be a much
ruSted chain shot, quite like the pattern
formerly much used in ship cannon for the
purpose of tearing away the ratings He
called his superiors, who at once realized
the Importance of the discovery. One after
another an ancient apparently loaded can
lister, round cannon ball, curious flint
lock, several midewed papers and a coin
We're brought to view and carefully
moved to the office. There the relics We're
closely examined.
In opening the pamphlets it was found
that they were city records, the dates of
which were barely discernable and ranging
from 1878 to 1887. The names of the city
officials at that time could just be dec-,
phered through the thick damp of age. The
coin. also much widowed. bore the date
of 1902.
Immediately there was much speculation
as to how the relics came in the wall which
had been put up in 1872, when the original
arcades were torn out. Many were of Il
mind to weave about them a bit of the
romantic Charles S. KeySer, the historian
however is authority for the statement that
the relics came there through the boyish
pranks of some youths and thus fancy is
chained.
Almost as interesting was the discovery
made yesterday afternoon, when the work
men began tearing away on the interior of
the same wall. at the place where the two
fireplaces and the arcades are to be re-
stored.
A fireplace was known to exist on the
south side of what was supposed until yes
terday TO be the original panel and wood
work in the wallis center. 1t had been sup
posed. however, that the fireplace had the
same dimensions as the one just above on
the second floor. But such is not the case,
for when the hammers laid bare the SCOT
covered back of the fireplace and the curl
GUS heat flue adjoining it was made appar-
ent that the fireplace is really much larger
than al first supposed, thereby proving that
the panel and woodwork is not original as
supposed. for part of it now, or did until
yesterday: cover the old fireplace.
Interesting little facts have been noticed
in the judicial room. too.
First, when the floor was torn up there
was found in the mortar rusted toma-
hawk, which has been added to the other
relics.
Here. too. the walls again figured. High
UP the west wall, the tops being almost
on level with the ceiling. were laid bare
two window frames. securely embedded.
They had been walled i'm in 1915 Thus an
other little change in the plans. And once
more on the east wall have been laid bare
the outlines of three large arches leading
into the hall, necessitating another slight
change
Such are the discoveries 10 date, and those
having the work in charge declare that, not
withstanding the little Inconvenience
caused thereby. all are interesting indeed.
Nor will the authorities be aStonished if
mora ..6ndS'' arc made.