Workmen at York Prison came upon some grusome remains of mortality when the earth sunk beneath them.
Clifford’s Tower
“On Tuesday the 25th ult. the Magistrates of the three ridings held a meeting at the castle of York, at which the subject of enlarging the county prison was again brought under consideration. – Several plans were presented, and all the architects agreed that, in order to make the requisite-improvements in the castle, it would be necessary to purchase some part of Mr Ward’s property, in which the Tower stands. No step was, however, taken but the decision was again postponed. In the mean time the work of excavation under the Tower is being proceeded with, and since the above meeting, as the workmen were employed thirty-two yards from the opening of the aperture, and thirteen yards below the surface of the ground, the earth sunk with them three yards. By this alarming circumstance a most interesting discovery has been made. The earth having been cleared away, several bones and skulls were discovered – the labourers found themselves mining in an ancient cemetary, where the mouldering remains of mortality were scattered around them, and where trophies of triumphant death had been hid many ages. – In raising one of the skulls, and placing a candle near it, a trifling explosion was occasioned by the fixed air which it contained, to the surprise of those who were present. There were also found pieces of half-decayed wood, which had been neatly fastened together with brass rivets, and with oakum* placed between, but whether they were parts of a victor’s chariot, or of a victim’s coffin, we cannot state. The ramains of mortality were mixed with the bones of animals, small branches of trees or bushes, and a sort of earth, which from its appearance, &c. seems to be the decomposed particles of former living subjects. The above were, however, soon cleared away, and below them were found a thick bed of ashes, charcoal, and several pieces of half-consumed wood.” – York Paper.
The Stamford Mercury, 4th June, 1824.
*oakum – tarred flax fibres, used to seal gaps, generally used in ship-building.