100 years ago: Oskaloosa man makes grisly discovery when tearing down shed

From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for June 30, 1916:

  • “Last week while tearing down an old shed at the rear of his home at Oskaloosa, Henry Decker noticed a small opening that had been cut in the floor and afterwards boarded up. When the floor had been removed he dug into the ground. Within a foot or two of the top he found several small bones somewhat resembling the bones from a human finger. He next dug into a human skull…. Dr. Smith looked at it and pronounced it to be a human skull. The top of the skull has the appearance of having been sawed off as though the brain had been removed. It would be possible that the skull had been used by some doctor or medical student; although it does not seem possible they would have gone to all of the trouble of making a trap door in the floor of the shed and burying the skull below this…. When Mr. Decker saw the trap door he became suspicious from the fact that a week or two before when repairing the floor in an adjoining shed he had found a similar door and underneath found a large barrel had been sunken into the ground. At the time he gave little heed to the matter but says he will now dig out the barrel and see what its contents are…. It is said that some years ago while the house was being remodeled a large roll of United States paper money was found between the walls but mice or rats had destroyed it to such an extent that it could not be told of what denomination the bills were. In the meantime Mr. Decker has a human skull and a mystery on his hands.”
  • “In two weeks, the interurban cars will be running across into South Lawrence, if the prediction of the manager at the bridge proves correct, at any rate, the work is going steadily on both the bridge itself and on Massachusetts street as far up as the new station. Extra men have been added to the force on this side of the river. The work of laying the track has been hindered somewhat on account of lack of material, but the necessary things have now arrived and rapid progress can be made. A ‘Y’ is to be put in in order that the cars may be turned around. Workmen are also busy getting the station into condition for use.”
  • “About thirty prospective teachers were busy today at the High school taking examinations for county certificates. The quizzes this morning were in grammar and composition, spelling, geography and music; this afternoon in methods, agriculture, Kansas history, and English history. The examinations in the other required subjects are to be held in the high school tomorrow.”
  • “Commissioner W. R. Green, who made a trip through the southwest part of the county yesterday, reports that the crops in that direction from town are looking good. Wheat cutting is in full swing. The corn is at various stages of growth, owing to the different times at which it was planted, the weather having hindered the work of getting it in. Alfalfa is ready for the second cutting.”
  • “Walter McCoin, the six-year-old son of Lee McCoin of 535 Indiana, was injured yesterday in attempting to jump from an auto delivery wagon while it was in motion. His injuries were not serious although he was bruised considerably about the face and arms.”
  • “‘The old swimmin’ hole’ at the Y. M. C. A. building is proving a favorite spot for the boys and men these blistering days. Yesterday was the younger boys’ day at the pool and 71 took advantage of the coolness it provided.”
  • “W. B. Brown, superintendent of the University print shop, left today for the east to study in the Merganthaler linotype school in Brooklyn.”
  • “That Maple nut eclair at the Busy Bee is the best ever. Try it.”