My Famous File: James H. Berry

James Henderson Berry (1841–1913)

Fourteenth Governor of Arkansas (1883–1885)
United States Senator (1885-1907)

Pocket Cemetery

The IPhone really does have an app for everything.

http://www.pocketcemetery.com/

hmmm.... what is it?

I found this interesting stone in Fairview Cemetery in Joplin, MO.  At first I thought it was a wishing well but then I noticed the book on top.  Not sure what it is. What do you think it is?

A Forgotten Cemetery

I discovered this little cemetery while driving. I had to stop and take pictures. I find it very sad that they keep up all the area around it but don't bother to take care of the cemetery.

This is Kindley Cemetery, located in Little Flock, AR.  It is a family plot with one stone that has four names on it.

Haunted Stone?

I photographed this stone at Fairview Cemetery located in Joplin, MO.  While posting it on Find A Grave there was a story about it being haunted. The poster said "The reports say that cameras jam up and cars stop running and will not start again, and that you feel an errie presances around this stone".  Even though I did not experience any of the things that are said to happen. I do find the stone very beautiful.

A Tale Of Frontier Justice - Rev. James Ingram Killed by John Stone

This sad little sign is all that remains of Ingram Cemetery in Lowell, AR.  Located in a little triangle of grass at the intersection of Primrose and Phillips. In the need for progress the county has paved over all the graves. The sign reads:

HERE LIES BURIED

Rev. James Ingram 1826-1870

Shot in the back by John Stone

Francis Marion Easley 1832-1860

Easley Infant 1860-1861

Landers Male

circa 1869

Negro Slave

circa 1869 Murdered

Unknown Man of Quantrill

So of course I had to go in search of information as to what led to the shooting of James Ingram. This is were the tale of frontier justice will end. So you can figure out what happened to Rev. James Ingram. (A note: Jim Ingram and James Ingram are one in the same person.)

The story begins in 1864. Jim Ingram was a notorious Bushwhacker during the civil war. Sometime in 1864, Ingram came upon William Stone's home called him to come outside. Upon exiting the home Ingram shot Stone in the doorway. William's son John told Ingram he would find him and kill him one day. Ingram went to Texas at the end of the war. Returning to Arkansas six years later in 1870. Within days of Ingram returning, John Stone lived up to his word. He found Ingram and killed him.

Sunday Styles: Archways

Archways often symbolize the passage through which the soul will travel from this world to the next.  Most often referred to as heavenly entrances.  The arch is aslo known as a symbol for triumph or victory over life and death.

(Located at Bentonville Cemetery in Bentonville, AR)

Saturday's Symbol: Ancient Order of United Workmen (A. O. U. W.)

My Famous File: Adolphus Busch

If you don't know who Adolphus Bush is then you obviously don't drink beer. There is a ton of information on the net about Adolphus Bush all you have to do is google his name or just click on the link I provided. 

Him and his wife are the only two in this beautiful Gothic style mausoleum.

These photos arn't the best, my light was dying rapidly as I finished snapping the pictures. Located at Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis MO. These photos do not do this exquisite building justice.

Ridley Family Group

I really like this group of stones. If you look closely at the writing you will notice several misspelled words, reversed letters and a mixture of capital and lower case letters.  This is not unusual for the time frame that these were created. Hope you enjoy them. (All thre are located at Combs Cemetery in Fayetteville, AR)

IN

MEMoRY of

MARY J RIDIEY

DAUGHtER of thoMAS N & 

EIIZABEth RIDIEY

DIDE JANUARY the

28 th 1864

AGED 18 Y 11 M

yay though i walk through

the valle of the shaDoW of

DEath i will fear no eviL

for thew ??? with me

(note: on this one all the "u"s are printed backwards.)

Just for fun - Unusual Coffins/Fantasy Coffins

http://www.ripleys.com/ripley-videos/ripleys-fantasy-coffins/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nottingham/content/image_galleries/crazy_coffins_gallery.shtml?1
http://www.nmfh.org/exhibits/fantasy/index.html
http://damncoolpics.blogspot.com/2009/10/fantasy-coffins-from-ghana.html

Pelican In Her Piety

A pelican represented in the act of wounding her breast to feed her young with her own blood. This came from a tale told in the Middle Ages,  which made the bird the adopted symbol of the Redeemer. 

Likewise a folktale from India says that a pelican killed her young by rough treatment but was then so contrite that she resurrected them with her own blood. 

As a result, the pelican became a symbol of the Passion of Jesus and of the Eucharist.

Oh Captain My Captain

I found this wonderful marker in Pierce City Cemetery located in Pierce City, MO.  This elaborate of a marker is rather rare for my area so I was pleasantly surprised to find him. I would have guessed he was ranked as a General or higher but he was only a Captain.  Here's the information I was able to find on Captain E.P. Linzee:

Personalized Stone

While visiting the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Eureka Springs, AR I discovered this beautiful marker. It caught my eye and I had to investigate.

The Fenced Areas

In my constant exploration of cemeteries I have found a number of beautifully fenced plots.  They are fascinating to me.  The fence work ranges from simple to the very elaborate. 

(Located in Love Cemetery in Dean Springs, AR)

Sunday Styles: Gothic Tablet

Tablet tombstones are the most common style of headstone. The tablet tombstone includes many variations on the basic rectangular shaped headstone. One variation is the Gothic Tablet. Similar styling as that of the Gothic peaks popular in Gothic Architecture. The tablet style tombstone is generally set directly into the ground, although it may be found set atop a foundation. This type of marker usually date from the eighteenth century through the first decades of the nineteenth century.

Single Tablet

(Located in Rogers Cemetery in Rogers, AR)

The Cemetery Companions

I love the trees in the cemeteries. I know many will disagree with me on this topic. But I think the trees add to the serenity of a cemetery. And for some reason they always seem to have more character to them then the ones you find elsewhere.

What would these stones lean on if it weren't for their companions?

(Word Cemetery in Decatur,AR)

My Famous File: Dred Scott & Harriet Scott

Located at Calvary Cemetery in St.Louis, MO.  You can read about the historic case here.

This marker for Harriet Scott is a Cenotaph. Her body actual rest at Greenwood Cemetery in Hillsdale, MO.

Meet The Owsleys

Located in Owsley Union Cemetery in Longview, MO.

Unsolved Murder Mystery

As soon as I climb out of the car, at Cummings Cemetery in Tiff City, MO., I noticed the tall obelisk that is postioned near the back of the cemetery.  Immediately I know that is where I am heading. It is hard to miss, being it is the tallest marker in the cemetery.

Knocking on Heaven's Door

Located at Pierce City Cemetery in Pierce City, MO.

The Thinker

Located in Forest Park Cemetery in Fort Smith, AR.

Hearses

Hearse, often referred to as a funeral coach, originally referred to the horse-drawn carriages that conveyed the casket to the place of burial.  The use of the word began in the 17th century. The word "hearse" comes from the Middle English "herse," which referred to a type of candelabra often placed on top of a coffin.

A unique stone

I found this stone in Calvary Cemetery located in St. Louis, MO.

Sunday Styles: Comb graves

A Comb or Tent grave is a stone structure built over a grave that is triangular in shape and resembles the gabled roof of a house. Consisting of two triangular end pieces and two large slabs to form the top part of the roof.

(Located in Love Cemetery in Dean Springs, AR)   

Cause of Death ... For the Graveyard Rabbit Carnival

Perusing a cemetery, my eyes are flooded with stones that bear the customary information. They have names, dates of births and deaths, the occasional description of a personality or character trait. The stones that draw my attention, toward which I gravitate, are the ones highlighting an unnatural death, one that came amidst unique or tragic circumstances. I have discovered stones that say "killed by lightning," "killed by black widow spider," and "died in the line of duty." But my interest is peaked by those stones with a simple epitaph declaring the deceased "assassinated," "murdered," or just "killed." Often, I find only short articles detailing the "five W's" in the whodunit: who, what, where, when and how. There may be no real details on the deaths, let alone the grizzly ones, and no accounting of suspects or eventual punishments for the convicted. But sometimes I get lucky. This is the case of Dr. A. W. Chenoweth.

My Famous File: William Clark

William Clark (August 1, 1770 – September 1, 1838) was an American explorer, soldier, Indian agent, and territorial governor. Clark led the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1803 to 1805 across the Louisiana Purchase to the Pacific Ocean.

Clark died in St. Louis on September 1, 1838, and he was buried in the Bellefontaine Cemetery, where a 35-foot gray granite obelisk was erected to mark his grave.

Exploring Lawrence County MO

I have explored Lawrence County MO a number of times in the past year and have discovered a great deal of amazingly beautiful spots and stones.  My favorite would have to be the Trinity Lutheran Church cemetery in Freistatt.

Another Angel Please.

I found this gravesite at Forest Park cemetery in Fort Smith, AR.  Only thing that comes to mind is WOW.

A Genealogist's Dream Stone

I found this stone in Beaver Cemetery in Beaver, AR.  This is the most detailed family info I have ever seen on a stone.

It reads:
A soldier of the Union
A soldier of the Cross

Samuel Lundy The 2
Born in Warren Co NJ Mar 24, 1817
Died Mar 29, 1913  At Beaver Carroll Co Ark
Son of George Lundy 2 and Rurh Adams
of George Lundy 1 and Esther Wilson
of Samuel Lundy 1 and Ann Schooley
of Richard Lundy 2 and Elizabeth Large
of Richard Lundy 1 and Jane Lyon
of Sylvester Lundy -
of Axminister England

They always let us know when the season is changing.

Sunday Styles: Cradle Graves

Cradle graves, sometimes referred to as bed graves, are one of the many styles one may encounter while meandering through a cemetery. They first made their appearance in the graveyards somewhere around the Civil War and their popularity petered out around the 1920's. They can be found in cemeteries throughout the United States. But seem to be more popular in the southern states. Here are a few examples I have photographed.

This is a very basic version.

( B. M. located in Rogers, AR)

Ted must be very special

While wandering around Fairview cemetery in Joplin, MO I came across this headstone.



When I first saw it from a distance, I thought it was kind of neat. Then as I got closer, I saw Ted.

Exploring Joplin, MO - Cox Cemetery

Camera in hand, along with a list of places I want to visit, I am off to see what treasures await me in the cemeteries of Joplin, MO.

Cox Cemetery is my first stop. The cemetery is located on private property. Luckily the man who owns the property is in his garden with his wife and dog. So I have the pleasure of meeting the groundskeeper who gladly lets me in to wander around and take pictures. He never does tell me his name but he has a ton of stories to tell about the cemetery and its residents.