In 1899, the Niagara Frontier Historical Society came into the possession of a human skeleton. It was exhumed at a point in the City of Niagara Falls, New York, near the shore of the Niagara River about a mile and a half above the Falls by workmen digging a trench for wires used to carry electricity from the Dean Adams Power House to the Carbide Company. It was found a little to the west where once stood Fort Schlosser, built by the British in 1761.
Construction of the fort was supervised by John Joseph Schlosser, a German who had served in the British Army at the siege of Fort Niagara in 1759. He was appointed the first commandant of this new post.
The skeleton given to the Niagara Frontier Historical Society was probably that of Col. Schlosser based on the following evidence given by Peter A. Porter:
1. The skull was of the Teutonic type.
2. The skeleton was that of an officer of rank.
3. It was found buried just where tradition and local historians said Schlosser was buried.
The skeleton was that of an officer because it was found in an oaken case or coffin, with a small pane of glass over the face. The remains of a military coat, which was found under and used as a pillow for the head were profusely adorned with gold braid. The remains of a metal epaulette were also found with the body.
Does anybody know what happened to that skeleton?
[by Paul Gromosiak]
