Interview with a Former Member
Image from inside the tomb. Taken and released by a student who broke into the tomb.
This interview was conducted by The Yale Tribune. William Prescott, an alleged former member of Skull and Bones, came forth to take part in this interview. Skull and Bones could not be reached for comment regarding this interview.
Tribune: Good morning. Thank you very much for agreeing to this dialogue.
Prescott: Of course. I am glad to be here.
Tribune: I must ask, why did you decide to do this interview? Skull and Bones members have been historically tight lipped.
Prescott: I feel that it is time to bring these secrets to light. After having experienced this society first hand, I can tell you that secrets have a way of eating people up and destroying something that was once good.
Tribune: What drew you to Skull and Bones?
Prescott: I was first intrigued by the history of the group. To have survived and prospered since 1832 is quite a feat. I felt that something that had been around that long must be good. Also, if you consider all of the past members, these are the powerful in our country. I couldn't pass up an opportunity to possibly join those ranks.
Tribune: It is quite an impressive list. Rockefeller, Vanderbilt, Taft, Bush, Kerry...
Prescott: Yes. And many more.
Tribune: Were you promised this level of success?
Prescott: I wouldn't say promised. But it is well known that the purpose of Skull and Bones is to create individuals who will be powerful, impactful members of society and who will carry on Skull and Bones.
Tribune: There are obviously a lot of perks to being a member. In fact, it is alleged that new members receive $15,000 upon initiation into the society. Who supplies the funds? That would be $225,000 a year to fund 15 new members.
Prescott: I don't know where the money comes from.
Tribune: So it is true?
Prescott: No....what...I can't say. Move on, please.
Tribune: The students who broke into the Skull and Bones meeting place, the tomb, mysteriously withdrew from Yale at the end of the semester claiming "medical issues." What is the story behind that?
Prescott: I don't know. I wasn't involved with that.
Tribune: Involved in what?
Prescott: Let's just say, the students were encouraged not to return to Yale.
Tribune: By whom?
Prescott: Skull and Bones has far reaching influence. More power than I could ever have. That's all I can say.
Tribune: What can you tell us about Skull and Bones' secret island?
Prescott: Well, the island you are speaking of is Deer Island. I'm not sure how much of a secret it is after the expose written by the staff that works there. But it is a place current and former members go to party.
Tribune: Since your brought it up...in that expose it is mentioned that George W. Bush never quite fit in with the group and was tapped as a "courtesy" to his father and former Bonesmen George H.W. Bush. What can you tell us about this?
Prescott: I didn't know him personally, obviously, but it is well known that he didn't quite fit in to the "Skull and Bones image." He was more interested in playing rugby and in his fraternity than in Skull and Bones. That didn't please everyone in the club. That is what I hear, anyway.
Tribune: Is it true that people are sometimes tapped just because of who their family is?
Prescott: Yes. I agree with that. I think that is why I was tapped. As a courtesy to my father and grandfather, who were also Bonesmen.
Tribune: What can you tell us about them?
Prescott: (Long Silence) Nothing. I shouldn't have said that. I'm ready to end this now.
Tribune: What do you think the fallout will be from this interview?
Prescott: I'm not sure. I can't think about that now. That's all I will answer. (Stands and leaves room)
Tribune: Good morning. Thank you very much for agreeing to this dialogue.
Prescott: Of course. I am glad to be here.
Tribune: I must ask, why did you decide to do this interview? Skull and Bones members have been historically tight lipped.
Prescott: I feel that it is time to bring these secrets to light. After having experienced this society first hand, I can tell you that secrets have a way of eating people up and destroying something that was once good.
Tribune: What drew you to Skull and Bones?
Prescott: I was first intrigued by the history of the group. To have survived and prospered since 1832 is quite a feat. I felt that something that had been around that long must be good. Also, if you consider all of the past members, these are the powerful in our country. I couldn't pass up an opportunity to possibly join those ranks.
Tribune: It is quite an impressive list. Rockefeller, Vanderbilt, Taft, Bush, Kerry...
Prescott: Yes. And many more.
Tribune: Were you promised this level of success?
Prescott: I wouldn't say promised. But it is well known that the purpose of Skull and Bones is to create individuals who will be powerful, impactful members of society and who will carry on Skull and Bones.
Tribune: There are obviously a lot of perks to being a member. In fact, it is alleged that new members receive $15,000 upon initiation into the society. Who supplies the funds? That would be $225,000 a year to fund 15 new members.
Prescott: I don't know where the money comes from.
Tribune: So it is true?
Prescott: No....what...I can't say. Move on, please.
Tribune: The students who broke into the Skull and Bones meeting place, the tomb, mysteriously withdrew from Yale at the end of the semester claiming "medical issues." What is the story behind that?
Prescott: I don't know. I wasn't involved with that.
Tribune: Involved in what?
Prescott: Let's just say, the students were encouraged not to return to Yale.
Tribune: By whom?
Prescott: Skull and Bones has far reaching influence. More power than I could ever have. That's all I can say.
Tribune: What can you tell us about Skull and Bones' secret island?
Prescott: Well, the island you are speaking of is Deer Island. I'm not sure how much of a secret it is after the expose written by the staff that works there. But it is a place current and former members go to party.
Tribune: Since your brought it up...in that expose it is mentioned that George W. Bush never quite fit in with the group and was tapped as a "courtesy" to his father and former Bonesmen George H.W. Bush. What can you tell us about this?
Prescott: I didn't know him personally, obviously, but it is well known that he didn't quite fit in to the "Skull and Bones image." He was more interested in playing rugby and in his fraternity than in Skull and Bones. That didn't please everyone in the club. That is what I hear, anyway.
Tribune: Is it true that people are sometimes tapped just because of who their family is?
Prescott: Yes. I agree with that. I think that is why I was tapped. As a courtesy to my father and grandfather, who were also Bonesmen.
Tribune: What can you tell us about them?
Prescott: (Long Silence) Nothing. I shouldn't have said that. I'm ready to end this now.
Tribune: What do you think the fallout will be from this interview?
Prescott: I'm not sure. I can't think about that now. That's all I will answer. (Stands and leaves room)