Public Media from Michigan State University

Coffin believed to hold Mich.'s 1st governor found

By AP

DETROIT –

Detroit officials overseeing the remodeling of a downtown park have found what are believed to be the remains of Michigan's first governor.

The dig is part of an effort to move the remains of Stevens T. Mason and a statue of him to a new plot at Capitol Park.

Project superintendent Cedric Hesley says crews digging around the monument found a concrete crypt about 3 p.m. Tuesday. Officials had said earlier they weren't sure if they would find the remains.

Hesley says workers are recovering the crypt with dirt and plan to leave it in place until Thursday, when a funeral home crew will be on hand.

Mason was 24 when elected governor of the Michigan territory in 1835. He was re-elected two years later when statehood was achieved.

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