Rail manager ProRail found a bottle with notes from 1891 on a platform roof during renovation work at Leeuwarden station. The notes bear the names of three postmen and a conductor. There are also many questions about the bottle.
ProRail archaeologist Jerry Huisman is thrilled with the find. “We had the bottle examined and it was made between 1825 and 1900,” he says. “On one of the notes is the name of Arnoldus ten Hulscher, who worked as a government postman in Leeuwarden. This note is also dated: November 25, 1891.”
After searching the city archives, Huisman discovered that Arnoldus’ signature on the note is exactly the same as his signature on an 1881 marriage certificate. November 1891.”
The other three names appear to belong to postmen: Lieuwe Brameijer, Rudolf Affolter and J. Postema.
ProRail is asking the public for help
It is still unclear why the four men hid the bottle with notes in a station cover. “If the bottle hadn’t been found in such an obscure place, one would think that someone just had an empty bottle with them and had thrown it away somewhere. But that’s not the case,” says the ProRail archaeologist.
Huisman speaks of a “historic Cluedo”. He invites people who have more information about this action to report to ProRail.
Renovation work is currently underway on the bus shelters in Leeuwarden. Early last year, a 2-ton beam was removed from one of the hoods. The beam was transferred to the Staalcon workshop for repair work. That company found the bottle in the rubble.
