Bones discovered: Find near Medora could hold historical significance

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Skeletonized body parts were found Saturday about a quarter mile west of Medora city limits in an open field, Medora Police Chief John Bey confirmed Thursday evening.

Law enforcement contacted anthropologists and the State Historical Society, he said. There was nothing on-site Thursday that would indicate anything ever happened there, he added.

Billings County Sheriff Dave Jurgens suggested that the remains could have historical Medora ties.

“I understand that they were moving dirt and dug up old bones. Yes, they were human and I believe they could be historically significant having to do with the history of Medora,” he said. “When you get down to it, it’s kind of cool.”

Jurgens said the sheriff’s department has been involved in the discovery “up to a certain point but not extensively.”

He added that there are no public safety concerns connected to the findings.

Jurgens would not elaborate on the findings though, saying he would rather the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation explain the historical significance behind what was found because the discovery was made on the foundation’s property.

The Dickinson Press contacted Randy Hatzenbuhler, president of the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation, for comment but the phone calls were not returned.

Jennifer McBride, Press editor, contributed to this story.

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