Sewell gave away some of the skulls as souvenirs, and ordered African-American laborers to move the remaining bones and bury them in a hole. Sewell remained in the employ of the Florida East Coast Railway until 1899, when he left to concentrate his efforts on the mercantile establishment jointly owned with this brother.
Sewell handed out some of the skulls as keepsakes, and instructed African-American workers to move the remaining bones and bury them in a grave. Sewell remained employed by the Florida East Coast Railway until 1899, when he left to concentrate on the joint business venture with his brother.