Jul 13, 1918 - Madison, WI
The first non-native burials in Madison were here in the 1830s on what we now know as Bascom Hill. The hill was used as a burial ground from about 1837 to 1846 when
the
Village Cemetery (Now Orton Park) opened.
In 1909 the Lincoln Statue was first placed on the hill. Later it was decided to move the statue closer to Main Hall (now Bascom Hall), and that a terrace would be
built around it. While excavating the site human remains were found.
Identified as William Nelson and Samuel Warren, two men who were buried here. Rusty nails were also found among the bones so it's believed they were buried in wooden
coffins that rotted away. Markers were put into the terrace with their initials and the year of their death. The bones are still there.
William Nelson: Died of typhoid fever in 1837
Samuel Warren:
Struck by lightning in 1838. Construction worker here to work on Madison's first Capitol building.
Bodies of two Madison men are buried on Bascom Hill - Bager Herald
Similarly, remains were found during expansion at
St Mary's Hospital in 2006.
William Nelson:
Samuel Warren:
