New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-08
NAY BE PATRIOTS SKULLS
DUG UP IN SUBWAY WORK.
Ten Skeletons Unearthed Near Old
Hall of Records Site.

italian workmen employed by the Degnon--
Mclean Contracting Company on the excavation
for the new subway City Hall station yesterday
afternoon uncovered PARTS Of the skeletons OF
ten men who supposed in life to have peeh
inmates OF the British military prison. under the
rule OF Cunningham and Tryon, when the old
Hall of Records, which stood on the Site was used
as a prison for Continental soldiers ana sympa-
thizers with the Revolutionary cause. The skele-
tons taken by the police TO the coroners OF
fee in the Criminal Courts Building, and IT Is
said that inquest win be held on them some time
this week
The bones were unearthed about four and half
feet below the surface, at point slightly north
west Of the old Hall OF Records The roots OF a
big tree which down eighteen months
ago had grown in and around the trench which
contained them. Seven of the skulls are in fair
state OF preservation. The other three are in frag-
ments. There were arm thigh and back bones with
the skulls, and altogether. they filled two kegs and
orange box when they were gathered up by the
workmen and made ready for transportation
large crowd gathered around the junction of
Centre-st. and Park Row. and craned necks to get
a glimpse of the skulls. Extra police were sum
moned TO keep the people from breaking down the
bridge across the excavation. The police kept the
crowd moving well they could until the
patrol wagon finally carted the bones to the
coroner's Office
The Italians who made the discovery under
the immediate direction OF Frank De Garay, super
intendent. and Michael Mooy, foreman, of the
Degnon-M Mclean company. pick struck one OF
the smooth round skulls discolored from its SUM
Der for more than century, and then the Italian
stopped.
Picking up the skull. much the sravedigger In
Hamlet" lifted poor Yoricks untenanted dome.
the italian said:
'Hah! Strucka da dead one! leila da boss we
linda da dead ONE
The other gathered around to see the skull
and then one of them reached down and pulled out
Of the loan and rocks thigh bone. The diggers
sent word to Mr.. De Garay, and kept at work until
they had unearthed seven more skulls and many
fragments OF the departed. A short time after
ward another workman found two more skeletons
ten feet away from the first group The first eight
were found under n layer OF stones about eighteen
inches thick. Two three of the skeletons
face downward and the feet and knees were at
much higher elevation than the heads. The sug-
gestion made that the men died were killed
in the old military prison all in day, and that
their grave hurriedy dug near the wall the
old Hall OF Records, and that they dumped in
uneeremoniously There was nothing to identify
From IFS to 175s there was gaIiows near what
moved TO near the old Collect Pond. in the neigh,
horhood of Canal-st. At that time the City Han
oiution it was fenced in It was suggested yes
had been hanged. The theory that they were
those of men @ho died were murdered while in
The historians say that Cunningham. the taller
brutal and that sick prisoners had little chance
the prison and it is said that Nathan Hale was
detained there for short time before he was
If I am called by the coroners as a witness at
Of these FORGOTTEN and unidentified mem have de
cent burial, on the theory that when living they
T mary to- the cause 9G of By said Mn De
GaTay. the superintendent, who helped to gather
A specialized man. of wise and sober mien. care
fully Inspected the skulls and said that one was
There was no one to combat his theory.