The daily Alaskan., 1914-06-08
The Skeleton
 In the Closet Thereby Hangs a Tale.
By F. A. MITCHELL


 ...,.,... 2, 2. < ssEs3a
 Tue city of New York was founded on the southernmost point of Manhat- tam Island and first grew to the east ward. Later it started up Broadway aud the east side, as 1t Is called, fell into decadcnce. But till after the be- ginning of the nineteenth century the hauGsomest residences were In the ncigLburuood of the East river
 Some years ago wOrEmeu engaged in tearing down an old dwelling near Franklin square-in which Washington lived when first in0ugurated president -oamc upon closet built in a wall in which was skeleton. How 1t got there was a mystery, for there was no opening 10 the closet, it being inclosed within four thick walls. The find was referred .o historical society, which appointed UeiIeCer Bogardus, an an- t.gna~ia-. to investigate the whole matter and report The following is extracted from the papers filed with the society:
 "wne fact that the skeleton was romI within four solid walls is easily ny..aiuod. The house was repaired ani altered during the last decade of Ian al-a,eenth century, and the wall wherein was tue door to the closet was male wnoIe The apartment inclosed was of such size that wOrkmen would not ucey. sariIy have seen what it con- taired. especially since there were no windows to admit light in that part of the house
 As to there being such a closet at ar1. tHe story connected with 1t is sufficient explanation, for the opening, wgtch waS walled mp, was closed by a slitir- panel. What has not been sat f>ractori}v explained is the use for which the closet was designed. At the time the house was built such se- ere, chambers were not unusual, espe- cfglly il the homes of those who were in constant danger from some enemy. But in America when the country was frs. settled avenues of escape were rather tunnels through which the set Hers might save themselves from be- sfeging Indians. It seems probable that the house in Franklin square was thus provided by its builder, Meinheer Van Vrankeu. simply because he had a similar closet in his residence iu Rot rerdam. for it appears that his ances- tors were prominent officials in the Netherlands during that period when the b!oodthirsty Duke of Alva held the country in his grip
 But to the story l have uneaTtned concerning the skeleton found in the closet. Meinheer Van Vranken came ro America in 1858. bringing with him what vas in those days fortune Soon after landing he sent to Holland for brick with which to build his resi- Gapce and completed it in 1862, model fuc it after bis home in Rotterdam, even to the secret closet. When 1t was completed the house was the finest in the city. which was then a Dutch town and called New Amsterdam.
 Now it was in 1864 that the city was captured by the English, the Drt.hrcn refusing to make an effort to defend it despite the protestationS uf their governor, Peter Stuyvesant, who stamped with his wooden leg and swore by St. Nicholas that they were an arrant set of towards, un- worthy of the protection of their patron saint.
 This change in the government was also bitter pill for MeInheer Van Vrankeu to swallow. He was Dutch from the crown of his head to the soles ] of his feet, and his ancestors, who had been sailors. had fought the English when the Netherlands were a power on 1 the sea. Now, meinheer had q very pretty daughter, Anueke by name, who much more readily adapted herself to fhp new country than her old father, who could be content in 1t only so long as it was Dutch. When the English landed many of the inhabitants of New Amsterdam went down to the Battery, where the aquarium now stands, to see them come ashore. Among them was 1 Anpete Van vranken, buxom and with ! eyes as blue as the heavens above and two ropes of Aaxen hair hanging down her back.
 One of the boats which brought sup plies ashore was commanded by. Ralph