The story began with a gruesome find.
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In 1935, a man’s skeleton was found below the cliffs at Hassans Walls.
Author and researcher Keith Painter tells the story of its discovery in his book ‘Hassans Walls: Prized and Pillaged’.
The man had not fallen but had died of poisoning. Many enquiries were made and a magisterial inquiry held.
The Lithgow Mercury reported at the time, “The coroner stated there was no chance of establishing the identity. It appeared that deceased had met his death by strychnine poisoning, whether self-administered or not being unknown”.
After the verdict, the story goes that the Superintendent of the Lithgow Ambulance asked if the service could have the skeleton for teaching purposes.
His request was granted and for many years the skeleton was used in classes.
Some Lithgow residents, including former Lithgow Mercury editor Len Ashworth remember seeing it but now comes the mystery…
Where has it gone? It has disappeared. This is an appeal to our readers: Do you know what happened to it? If so, where is it now?
The story of the skeleton mystery is just one of 93 topics in the new book, Hassans Walls: Prized and Pillaged, which was officially launched on March 24.
The book has been written and compiled by Raglan resident Keith Painter. As part of his research he visited the ambulance station and was put in touch with retired ambulance officer John Goodwin. John got on the trail of the skeleton but has not tracked it down yet.
Can you help solve the mystery?
Historical records are incomplete and, with time, the names of some of the people involved in key events have also faded from memory.
The 160 page book is illustrated by over 330 photos and copies of original documents. In the heyday of development from 1910 to 1918, many features were named after leading Lithgow citizens so there is Dooleys Lookout, Cook Cave, Gannon Cave, Pillans Lookout and many more.
Hassans Walls: Prized and Pillaged is on sale at A Reader’s Heaven, Lithgow Newsagency and Lithgow Visitor Information Centre, Gleebooks or online at www.mountainmistbooks.com
Can you help identify the people in the photograph?
(Don’t forget the mysterious shadowy face in the back window). It was taken at the Centenary Pavilion, Hassans Walls, in 1912.
