----- ............Cemetery Walk: An afternoon of discovery! Every stone has a story. And they are waiting to be told........... -----

Friday, December 24, 2010

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Not dead but gone before




Fred Thorne
Born Dec 15, 1887
Died Aug 29, 1903
Not dead but gone before

Upchurch Cemetery

Monday, December 20, 2010

Siegrist Children - Final


Buried in Same Casket Were Victims of Accident


The Little Brother and Sister Were Laid at Rest Together

The bodies of the two little children of Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Seigrist, of South Huthinson, who were killed by a Sante Fe passenger train Saturday, were interred at Eastside Cemetery yesterday afternoon in one little white casket.

Side by side the children lay, Elvin aged 3, and Emma, aged 20 months. Beautiful flowers covered their forms so as to conceal the mangled and maimed heads, as though they were but asleep with their tired heads burrowed in the pillow of roses.

Nearly 700 people gathered at the Methodist church in South Hutchinson yesterday afternoon to attend the funeral service, which was conducted by Rev. W. B. Stevens. Fully 200 were unable to get into the church.

The funeral procession was a mile in length. Four little girls, dressed in white, carried the little casket from the hearse into the church, containing the forms of the little brother and infant sister, who went to death together, and were now being taken together to their last resting place.

It was one of the saddest sights ever witnessed and there was not a dry eye in all the large audience. Like two little buds, snatched from the rosebush, they lay together in the little white casket, and the beautiful flowers banked about their little forms bid that, which the eye could not see without a shudder and left only a scene of beauty, sad, but sweet.

The Hutchinson News 10/23/1911

Last Day To Vote


Click on the FTM badge above to go to the voting form.
My blog is in section 2.

Thank you to everyone that voted for me. [fingers and toes crossed!]

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Siegrist Children - Part 3

Cleared By Own Story


James C. Graham, Engineer of No. 10, Free of Blame

Coroner’s Jury Return a Verdict That the Death Was Accidental

Saw Object on Track And Thought They Were Only Dogs

Was 100 Feet Distant When He Knew They Were Children

The coroner’s jury attached no blame to Engineer James C. Graham, of Newton, who was at the throttle of the engine that killed the babies, Elvin and Emma Siegrist, Saturday morning.

The jury this morning rendered the following verdict: “we the coroner’s jury find that the deceased, Elvin and Emma Siegrist came to their death by being run over by Santa Fe train no. 10, by an accident.”

The story of the engineer himself is what absolved him from all the blame in the minds of the jury. Mr. Graham of Newton, is a man probably 57 years of age and walks with a cane, being lame. He has been a locomotive engineer for the Santa Fe since 1887. In telling his story to the jury the engineer said: “We came through Whiteside two minutes late and then came on down the hill. When we got within twenty five or thirty car lengths of where the accident took place, I saw two objects on the track. I first took them to be dogs. One was dark and was standing beside the rail north on the ?, the other, white, was to the center of the track. I thought it was dogs and we got closer I intended to blow the whistle and scare them off. I was within a hundred feet of them when I saw that it was a baby in the middle of the track. I just saw the bundle of clothes, I could not see the face. I could not tell whether the baby was standing or sitting but I think it was standing when we hit it. When I saw that it was a child on the track I shut off steam put on the emergency brake and the sand and did everything in my power to stop the train but it did not seem to slow down very fast. I did not blow the whistle."

"After we stopped the engineer came part way up to the engine and asked: “what’s the matter?” “I said I believe we have run over a baby, I don’t know. You go back and we’ll back up slow. I backed up my train until I was given the signal to stop. I am crippled some and didn’t go back to where they picked up the bodies. I sat in my cab and after a while a man came up to the engine and asked” “what’s the matter?” “I said, I believe I hit a baby." And he walked back toward the rear of the train. Pretty soon he came back and said: “you got two.” “That is the first I knew that the train had struck more than one child. The man told me not to brood over it that I had done everything in my power to prevent the accident. I usually run between 45 and 50 miles an hour down that hill till we slow for the curve. I don’t think the whole thing from the time I first caught sight of the objects on the track until the train was stopped took more than three-quarters of a minute. I didn’t know just what the objects were on the track when I first saw them. I took them at first to be dogs but that didn’t seem right and when I got up close enough to see that it was a child on the track it was too late and I was kind of dumbfounded.”

K. G. Weibe, fireman on No. 10 the morning of the accident, told what he knew of the accident: “ As is my custom, I built a good fire after we passed Whiteside and had just finished sweeping the deck and was getting up on my seat box when I felt the emergency brake go on and something flash out like we had hit some object. I called to Mr. Graham as we were slowing down asking, “What is the matter?” He didn’t answer me at first and then he said: I believe we hit a baby. I stayed on the box until we came to a stop. I think the engine had just passed the road crossing.”

R. H. Guyle, of Newton, conductor of the train, and Bert Graham, a son of the engineer, rear flagman, B. E. Elliott, head brakeman, and C. W. H. Niccum, a claim adjustor from Dodge City, all testified about the position of the train and the rules of running a train approaching a yard limit.

The Hutchinson News 10/24/1911

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Thank you for your sacrifice

Today I took Christmas flowers to a few graves for a friend that lives out of state. While there I looked across the lane and saw the grave of a brave soldier that paid the ultimate price earlier this year. I knew he had been buried at Eastside but not where. I walked over and paid my respects. He was a young man, only 2 years older than my son.

I thanked him for his service and sacrifice. As I stood there with my heart hurting for his family I couldn't help but say a prayer for God to continue to protect my son, Clayton, deployed to Afghanistan. We are 7 months into our journey and I am weary from waking and ending my day with war and worry.

Thank you Sgt. Mena. May you rest in peace.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Siegrist Children - Part 2

Imquest [sic] Over Babes is Continued For Trainmen

Train Crew of Fatal No. 10 to Appear Before Coroner’s Jury

The coroner’s inquest, held to fix the blame of the killing of the babies, Ervin and Emma Seigrist, who were ground to bits beneath the wheels of Santa Fe train no. 10 Saturday morning, about two miles west of Hutchinson, was begun at the court house this afternoon, and all of the witnesses of the accident except the members of the train crew of no. 10 were examined. The inquest was continued until 9 o’clock tomorrow morning when the train crew will be examined by Coroner W. H. Williamson and Assistant County Attorney Herbert Ramsey.

A.G. Seigrist, father of the babies told his sad story of the accident and his desperate efforts to save his children. He said that Engineer did not sound whistle or bell and that no attempt was made to slacken the speed of the train until the children had been struck. According to Mr. Seigrist’s story, the entire train passed to the east of the road crossing before it came to a stop. The distance from the place where the children were struck to the road crossing is estimated by Mr. Seigrist to be about 500 yards.

J. L. Seigrist, grandfather of the babies, was working in a field about a half mile from the accident. He says he did not hear no. 10 whistle or sound the bell until the train had stopped after striking the children.

Wesley Siegrist, working with his father, J. L. Siegrist, did not hear the engineer sound the whistle or bell, nor did Kenneth Groves.

Will Johnson, who cared for the babies, Edward Loveland, Stewart Sparks and ? Sparks were the other witnesses.

Attorney J. S. Simmons, and a representative from the Santa Fe’s claim department at Topeka represented the railroad company at the inquest his afternoon. The engineer, fireman, conductor and brakeman who were on no. 10 Saturday morning will be summoned for the inquest tomorrow.

The men who comprise the coroner’s jury are: Walter Chapman, Rev. W. B. Stevens, E. M. Whittle, C. E. Groves, James Graves and ? Hicks Sparks.

The Hutchinson News 10/23/1911

Tombstone Photo of the Week

Eakins Cemetery
Silas R. Christal
1/10/1810 - 6/30/1883

Elezabeth Burnett Christal
2/16/1811 - 7/15/1883

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Siegrist Children - Part 1

Eastside Cemetery is the oldest cemetery in Hutchinson, KS. I spend a lot of time there working on the records and photographing the headstones. Sometimes I come across sad stories like this one.


Babes Hit By Train

Sears Monuments

The Hutchinson News Herald 5/30/1943

Remember to vote for me and others

Remember to vote in the 2011 Family Tree Magazine top 40.
My blog was nominated in the cemetery category in section 2.


Details on this post.

Thanks!
Gale

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Libel in an Epitaph

This is one where I would love to know the outcome.

Libel in an Epitaph

Novel Cause of a Damage Suit at Dresden, Tenn.

Memphis lawyers have brought suit in Dresden, Weakly county, Tenn., for damages for defamation of character alleged to be contained in an epitaph cut in a tombstone. Such a cause of action is probably unparalleled; nevertheless the wording on this tombstone is such as is seldom seen in a graveyard.

The parties reside near Martin, Weakly county. In December, 1896, L. B. Cate was shot and killed by Bill Penick. Penick was tried on the charge of murder and was defended by the same lawyers now acting for him in this civil suit. He was acquitted on the plea of self-defense.

The parents of the deceased thought to honor his memory by erecting a suitable tombstone over his grave and by having cut in the marble a legend setting forth the circumstances of his taking off. The following is the epitaph:
L. B., son of J. C. and L. J. Cate, born April 10, 1870. Married Millie Freeman December 21, 1887; was shot and killed by Bill Penick December 11, 1896; caused by Penick swearing a lie on Cate’s wife. Aged 26 years, 8 months and 1 day.
It is alleged by Penick that this was exposed to public gaze in the yard of the tombstone-maker for quite awhile before it was erected over the grave of deceased Cate. The complainant sues both the sculptor and the father of the deceased for $10,000 damages.


The Hutchinson News 10/20/1896

Not yet

Green Valley

Not exactly what I wanted to see when I stepped out of the car at this cemetery. While this is a surname stone and my first name is spelled just like it that didn't stop the little jolt I experienced.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Religion filled her soul

Bean Cemetery

Eunice J. McNutt
d. May 21, 1890
68y 6m 7d

Religion filled her soul with peace,
Upon a dying bed;
Let faith look up,
Let sorrow cease.
She lives with Christ o'er head.

The soul has now taken its flight
To mansions of glory above
To mingle with angels of light
And dwell in the kingdom of love

Please Vote For Me

My blog has been nominated. Wow! Please vote for me!!! Thanks!
Digital Cemetery Walk in section 2
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ft40-2011voting

In the July 2011 issue of Family Tree Magazine, we’ll name the 40 Best Genealogy Blogs, or Family Tree 40. It's time to vote on the blogs nominated by the genealogy community.

The nominees are divided into eight categories. In each category, please choose five blogs (you'll get an error if you choose too many).

For category descriptions and Family Tree 40 qualifications, please see this link
Voting is open until 11:59 p.m. Monday, Dec. 20. You may vote multiple times.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Tombstone Photo of the Week

Edit: anyone else experiencing scheduled posts mysteriously becoming drafts?

LeHigh Cemetery

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Republican even in death

Today is election day and so I thought I'd revisit the headstone of Nathan Grigsby. Even in death he wanted the world to know what he thought of the democratic party.


See more photos of his headstone.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Moore Children

Not long ago I shared about a story I am researching - the murder of the 5 Moore children in 1899. Imagine my shock today when I sat down to read the newspaper and their murder was briefly mentioned in a story about a recent homicide here. [The husband killed his wife with an axe].

Here is a link to the online copy. I don't know how long the articles remain online.

I am still researching...and hope to finish before I go to print with the February quarterly for our genealogical society. And, I do hope our society adopts this as one of our community connection projects and erect a headstone for the children.

Tombstone Photo of the Week

Kechi Cemetery

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Research in Progress

I've got several research projects underway, one being the murder of the 5 Moore children buried in Eastside Cemetery. Things got a little out of control! I also had a pile next to my chair in the family room where I work with my lap top. Guess what I'm doing Saturday?!


Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Walks list updated

I had the opportunity to take a few cemetery walks today and updated my list. It was a perfect day for it.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

5 Children Murdered

In 1899 the 5 Moore children were murdered. Injuries inflicted were throats cut, an axe to the head and the house set on fire....all by their father.

Carl, Mary, Pearl, Charlie & Lee Moore ranged in age from 3 to 13.

I have been on an emotional journey researching this tragedy. One sad piece is it appears that they sleep in an unmarked grave at Eastside Cemetery here in Hutchinson, KS. It has been a winding road of census records, marriage records, interment sheets, lot cards, many newspaper articles, prison and court records and I'm still not finished.

I brought this to the board meeting of our genealogical society on Monday with the hope that we will make this one of our community connections project and have a headstone placed on the gravesite.


A news article tells about the burial of the 5 white caskets in the EAST part of the cemetery. The interment sheet lists them in lot 851. They are not on the 851 lot card and this lot is in the WEST part of the cemetery. [Eastside has a small number of lots with duplicate numbers]. 851 A is in the EAST part of the cemetery. They are not on this lot card either but I feel this is where they are since their grandfather is in the lot next to it.

More to come...

Friday, September 17, 2010

Tombstone Photo of the Week

Hunt Cemetery

Other Things

When on a cemetery outing I photograph more than just tombstones. Today I was able to spend the entire day on many cemetery walks. I thought I'd share with you the other things I saw today while exploring.

Now, let me first explain to you that I am a Dixie transplant. There is no place more beautiful than my beloved South. I have left behind my Georgia piney woods and now call the Kansas prairie winds home. I do find a beauty unique to this area with the wind farms, burning fields, oil rigs, and flat landscape. I often encounter horses, cows, goats and some not so nice critters on my walks.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Going Green

I have read about "green" cemeteries but haven't put much thought into the subject. Here is an interesting post about it from The Daily Undertaker.

My son has returned to Afghanistan so I hope to return to regular blogging again after I play catch-up on some other things.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

What do you think?

Please take a few minutes and share your thoughts on this thought provoking question posed by Tammi over at Escape to the Silent Cities.

As you will see from my comments I didn't always feel the way I do now.

Just how serious are you about the subject we share in common?

Thanks!


Eastside Cemetery Lot 1

Information obtained from interment sheets, lot cards and headstones.

Burial Information

Lot 1 Overview

Lot Card - Order of Burials

List for search purposes:

Barr Loid
Molyneux Infant
Molyneux Madaline
Molyneux Mary M.
Molyneux Richard
Molyneux W. J.
Pargeter Ellen
Pargeter Lillie
Pargeter Thos.
Powell Mary Susan B.
Powell Ella
Powell W. W.

Found in the Cemetery

This is not the first article I have come across where someone missing was found in the cemetery...alive.

Wildmead Cemetery is often called Nickerson Cemetery. It is the only cemetery in Nickerson.

Hutchinson News 3/17/1921 P 11

Friday, September 3, 2010

New Book

Richard Waterhouse of Waterhouse Symbolism has released a book. Be sure to visit his website and sign up to get his monthly newsletter.

Sacred Symbols of Oakland
A Guide to the Many Sacred Symbols of Atlanta's Oldest Public Cemetery.

Tombstone Photo of the Week

Crane Cemetery

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

We interrupt this blog...

...to tell you that I am SO excited! My son, Clayton, is on his way home from Afghanistan for a 15 day visit. He should arrive in the states tomorrow. We don't get many details in advance, and I won't get on that soapbox today.

Just had to share!

Penguin in his pocket?
Read the story on our blog: dearclayton.blogspot.com
Click on the label "penguin"

Friday, August 20, 2010

The Thousand Lotus Memorial Terrace


Situated on the northwestern slope of the Chuang Yen Monastery in Carmel, NY. There are two terraces that contain 1,050 and 2,076 stell niches, respectively. Each niche can hold two urns.

The half circle design and the statue of the Amitabha Buddha, which overlooks the terrace, symbolize the Western Paradise in Pure Land Buddhism.


Twice a year, in the spring and autumn, there are ceremonies in which the ashes of the deceased are placed in the terraces.