no gnome skeletons in the db have over 16hp. I think you were fighting "a decaying skeleton" which is much different in steamfont mountains.
a decaying skeleton 8 - 10 Undead
http://eqbeastiary.allakhazam.com/search.shtml?zone=58
edit: This is strange indeed.. because those skeletons have 200hp max. Let me know if this persists or where I might find it.