NYC Subways – Made of Irish Bones???

Greetings fellow historians! I apologize for my absence, a conference in Vienna has stolen me from usual perch, but fear not – History Marches On!!! Today, we look at one of the more heinous secrets of history, the New York City subway tracks.

New York City has always had a rocky relationship with its immigrant groups. Never was this more evident than with the population of New York’s Irish at the end of the 19th century. The Irish were seemingly second class citizens to most New Yorkers, especially Mayor George B. McCellan Jr. A New Yorker from September 1906 regarding the increasing pigeon presence in the city has McCellan at his most hateful declaring, “When comparing the problem of pigeons with that of the filthy Irish, I shall for once look upon feathered friend with good favor. While both are examples of vermin, pigeons have the good sense to fly away when spooked. Further, pigeons have the innate potential to at some point learn direction and serve a useful function in a society carrying missives. I would lastly add that the Irish contribute a greater amount of solid waste to our streets.” These comments, vitriolic as the may be, were merely a precursor to the mayor’s later orders for the new subway system.

In the year of 1906 the construction of the New York subway system was well under way. A line already extended from City Hall to the Bronx. Unfortunately progress soon came to a halt as a tariff would lead to a rising cost in a most necessary component of the rail system – steel. McCellen was furious upon hearing the news from the transportation head on April 7, 1906.  McCellen had been the person to drive the ceremonial first subway ride through New York City. Seeking to clear his thoughts that spring evening, he settled upon an evening stroll towards the downtown area. His walk found him all the way down to New York’s Wall Street where he encountered a sleeping Irish bum (typical for the time). His journal recounts the discovery.

Before me I then spied a most odious site, though sadly a typical one – an Irishman. Overcome with outrage at his lack of work ethic. I set about stomping and kicking the filthy wretch with great might. Delighting in my activity I soon rendered the lout dead. Though pleased with my result, propriety dictated I call a police officer to dispose of the body. Upon his arrival the official laughed at the site before him, for this I could not blame him. A dead Irishman is a punchline that needs no setup! Unfortunately there was lifting for the good officer to do. Upon engaging in his struggle the officer commented, “This worthless animal weighs tons. I would take more pleasured in carrying a sack full of steel beams.” This statement prompted an engine of activity in my mind. The Irish girth surely owed to their less advanced Cro-Magnon bone structure. My return to the my offices brought with it joy as I ran about exclaiming my plan for our beleaguered subway system. Surely Irish bones were as good as steal and cheaper!

Though most bones were salvaged from morgues and cemeteries – men, women, and children of Irish decent could sell their bones for twelve cents a pound before their death. Signs that once read “Irish Need Not Apply” now read “Irish Only Apply.” This grim practice lasted for only a few months as results were poor. Bones made terrible rails, but some are still in use today throughout the Bronx. City records are unclear as to which specific lines the bones service. Just think New York historians, the next time you take the “N Train” to Coney Island you shall be riding on the backs of the O’Hurleys, the MacDougals, and the Mcgees – Literally!!!

Irish Bones as subway rails.

Barbaric? Assuredly. Efficient? Probably not. History? Definitely!