Bones Atop the Fireplace: How the World's Most Intact Dinosaur Skeleton was Found In New Jersey in 1858
Philadelphia based lawyer, prison reformer, writer, amateur geologist and all-around Renaissance man William Foulke is visiting an acquaintance in Haddonfield, New Jersey. It is springtime in the year 1858 as Foulke and local farmer John Estaugh Hopkins sit casually chatting in the parlor of Hopkins rather modest farmhouse. Hopkins is a comfortable, though not overly well off farmer, and a lifelong resident of Haddonfield who is very involved in local government. Foulke has come to Hopkins residence to discuss the conditions of local jails and make recommendations about policies and procedures regarding criminal detention in the area. As the two exchange small talk something sitting atop the mantle of Hopkin’s fireplace catches the inquisitive scientific eye of William Foulke. There are several enormous and very unique looking animal bones sitting haphazardly on Hopkins’ mantle. With his curiosity piqued Foulke inquires, “John, where did you ever acquire tho...