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and airplane hijacker D. B. Cooper. Details are scarce or in some cases disregarded, in favor of alternative theories that present claims of supernatural involvement, secret societies, or other bizarre solutions to unanswered questions. One such case has bewildered the world for decades that has all the components for an during legend, a renowned newsmaker, a grand test of endurance,

and a suspicious disappearance. In September of ninety three, British Colonial Service officer Gerald Gallagher moved to a patch of land in the Pacific called Gardner Island. He had been put in charge of establishing a new settlement on behalf of the British Empire. During his stay, Gallagher's men uncovered a strange collection of bones, as well as a human skull,

a shoe, an empty bottle, and a box. Gallagher sent a telegram to a fellow officer explaining the discovery, as he believed he'd stumbled onto something or someone actually that was important. He was told to keep his findings to himself, though, and tell no one else, but to send the bones to British officials for analysis. It was a doctor Lindsay Isaac who conducted the examination and determined the remains belonged to a Polynesian male, not the famous person Gallagher had

believed it to be. The bones were then shipped off the Fiji, where they were analyzed once again, this time by one Dr d W. Hoodless, who had undergone no training in forensic science. Doctor Hoodless's results fell in line with Dr Isaac's, and so the bones were locked away, the story all but forgotten, and it should have ended there. But over the years others in the field of medical forensics took issue with both doctors results. Scientists sought to

retest the skeleton. Rumors had swirled for decades as to its real identity, and now science had caught up enough to provide a definitive answer. There was only one problem. The bones had disappeared. No one had any clue where they had gone, but they did have Dr Isaac's and doctor Hoodless's notes. Combining them with modern forensic practices, the scientists were able to deduce several details that conflicted with the original results. First, the skeleton most likely belonged to

a white female, not a Polynesian male. Secondly, a person had been somewhere between five ft five and five ft nine inches in height, but without the bones themselves, it was impossible to say for sure who they might have belonged to. Scientists, though, have their suspicions the Officer Gallagher did too. In fact, people had been looking for them

since June of nineteen thirty seven. That was the month at the United States Coast Guard and Navy spent four weeks scouring the Pacific Ocean for evidence a wing, a body, a pair of goggles, or perhaps the one item that had rested in the box that Officer Gallagher had actually found, a sextant. While the jury is still out as to who was found on Gardner Island in ninety three, evidence points to a famous explorer, one who has been the

subject of countless books and conspiracy theories. From crashing and sinking to the bottom of the ocean to being captured by the Japanese during World War Two. Everyone seems to think they know what really happened. But to Officer Gallagher and the International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery, or TIGER as it's known, it's entirely possible that the bones found on Gardner Island belonged to a veritable legend, the remarkable

Amelia Earhart Memento mori. It's Latin for remember you will die, and it has become a mantra for thrill seekers and entrepreneurs to remind them to live life to the fullest. We have a limited number of years on this planet, after all, so we must make the most of them. Some people repeat the phrase in their daily life, almost like a kind of mantra. Others carry a token with them, a tangible reminder that hardens the concept into something real.

Such tokens were common throughout history and were often fastened into jewelry to be worn by the mindful and the grieving. A ring with an ornate skull design might have been worn by a mournful widow to honor her late husband. A daughter might have gone about her life with a photo of her deceased mother in a locket around her neck, one of the most famous mementos ever created, though bears

the last remaining vestige of an American icon. Born in Virginia in seventeen thirty two, George Washington is best known as a Revolutionary War general and, of course being the first President of the United States, but he was also a devoted husband and friend. He began courting Martha Custis in seventeen fifty eight, traveling over thirty miles on horseback to spend time with her. Both parties were independently wealthy, attractive, and ranked high on the social ladder. They fell in

love almost immediately and married one year later. Contrary to popular practices at the time, Martha didn't have her husband signed a prenuptial agreement to protect her assets from a previous marriage. They had found in each other someone to love and trust without question. Though he had no children of his own, Washington happily helped raise Martha's son and daughter from her first marriage. They lived a happy life, with George turning their modest farmhouse in Mount Vernon into

an eleven thousand square foot estate. When he traveled George left the home in Martha's care, and even though she was glad for the independence, she also missed him terribly. She would occasionally visit him during the revolution at his winter encampments, greeting soldiers along the way and acting like a beacon of light in the middle of a ark and depressing time. Her effect on the troops was no doubt felt throughout the war, and her presence may have

helped motivate her husband to succeed. Being apart for so long weighed heavily upon their hearts. After the war, George was elected the first president of the United States and moved the family to New York and then Philadelphia, the temporary capitals of the newly formed nation. They embraced their new roles, and it was during George's second term when he met another important person in his life, his friend

and confident Tobias Lear. Lear had tutored the Washington's children and worked his way up within the family, from becoming the president's clerk to his eventual business partner. They shared meals, stories, and grew to be more like brothers than colleagues, and Lear remained in touch with his dear friend long after Washington retired back to Mount Vernon. Of course, that's where George and Martha spent their final year, entertaining their grandchildren

and hosting parties for American elites. Through distance and war and politics, the Washington's had emerged more in love than ever before. Sadly, their love would not be enough to endure George's stubbornness. In December of sevent he set out on horseback to inspect his land in the middle of a snowstorm. He returned to the house for dinner later that night, where Martha and several guests had been waiting.

Not wanting to keep them from their meals any longer, he remained in his cold, wet clothes while he ate. The next day, George complained of a sore throat, but continued his survey of the farm in the freezing weather. That sore throat turned into a chess cold, and twenty four hours later, George Washington had died in his bed at Mount Vernon. By his side were Martha and longtime friend to Bias Lear. Washington was buried four days later.

He had secretly given Lear in order to wait so he would not be accidentally entombed alive, a common fear in that era. Lear obliged out of a deep love and respect for the man who had taken him under his wing. However, Washington had also given his friends something else, a memento of their friendship and a tribute to his meaning to the family. It was a brooch, composed of

beveled glass and adorned with rubies. Along the top. It bore the words token of my friendship in French, and entwined beneath that beveled glass were two locks of hair, one belonging to George and the other to Martha. Their life together was one of passion and undying affection. Even

in death, the two refused to remain apart. Not only were they entombed together within the Mountain Vernon Mausoleum, but their hair, the last evidence of their corporeal existence, was preserved as a remind or to Tobias Lear that life was to be lived as though every day might be your last, and if possible, to do it with your loved ones by your side. Oh and if you go out in the cold, wear a hat. I hope you've

enjoyed today's guided tour of the Cabinet of Curiosities. Subscribe for free on Apple Podcasts, or learn more about the show by visiting Curiosities podcast dot com. The show was created by me Aaron Manky in partnership with how Stuff Works. I make another award winning show called Lore, which is a podcast, book series, and television show, and you can learn all about it over at the World of Lore dot com. And until next time, stay curious.