After digging around a bit, it was discovered that the remains were from people who had lived (and been buried) at the Erie County poorhouse/almshouse (1851-1913), prior to UB being built.

Opinion on this question is much divided. In any event when we paid $25.000.000 for them, we acquired in effect a poorhouse, comprising 90% of the population. “The people cannot be self ...

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hart made application to the city authorities for a home in poorhouse. View Full Article in Timesmachine » Advertisement ...