Sunday, October 31, 2010

Happy Halloween / Samhain Everyone!


And so it is, we gather again,
The feast of our dead to begin.
Our Ancients, our Ancestors we invite, Come!
And follow the setting of the sun.

Whom do we call? We call them by name.

The Ancients have come! Here with us stand
Where ever the country, where ever the land
They leave us not, to travel alone;
Flesh of our flesh, bone of our bone!

Grandmothers, Grandfathers, Great be their Power!
Past ones and present-at this very hour!

Welcome within are the dead who are kin,
Feast here with us and rest here within
Our hearth is your hearth and welcome to thee;
Old tales to tell and new visions to see!


**********************************************************************
Samhain is one of the eight annual festivals, often referred to as 'Sabbats', observed as part of the Wiccan Wheel of the Year. It is considered by most Wiccans to be the most important of the four 'greater Sabbats'. It is generally observed on October 31 in the Northern Hemisphere, starting at sundown. Samhain is considered by some Wiccans as a time to celebrate the lives of those who have passed on, and it often involves paying respect to ancestors, family members, elders of the faith, friends, pets and other loved ones who have died. In some rituals the spirits of the departed are invited to attend the festivities. It is seen as a festival of darkness, which is balanced at the opposite point of the wheel by the spring festival of Beltane, which Wiccans celebrate as a festival of light and fertility.

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Saturday Symbol: Fire Department (Maltese Cross)



The Maltese cross is known around the world as a symbol of the fire service. It is often seen painted on fire trucks, on the clothing of firefighters, depicted on firefighters badges, and is quite often the chosen design of firefighter tattoos.

The Maltese cross has its origins going back to the era of the Crusades and is named after the island of Malta which came to be the home of the Knights of St. John. The Knights of St. John existed during the 11th and 12 centuries. To help identify friend from foe during the fighting, they needed a symbol that could be used to quickly and easily identify themselves. They chose the Cross of Calvary (which would later be known as the Maltese cross) as their symbol because the Crusades were battles fought for a holy cause. During these battles, the enemies of the knights commonly used fire as a weapon. It was not uncommon for a Knight to have to risk his own life to extinguish a fire or rescue a comrade. Because of their ability to fight fires, and the pride and honor they took in the care of their sick and injured, the Maltese cross evolved into a fitting symbol of the modern fire service. The cross has since come to represent the principles of charity, loyalty, gallantry, generosity to friend and foe, dexterity of service, and protection of the weak. (Credits)

******************************

Matltese Cross
"Symbol of Honor, Courage, and Dedication"

The eight-point Maltese Cross is the international symbol of the fire service's willingness to make great sacrifices in order to protect others from the ravages of fire. It is a badge of courage and honor and it's story is a hundred years old.

This honored symbol originated with a group of eleventh century knights who were serving in a Jerusalem hospital. They became known as the Order of Knights Hospitaller and later became the Knights of St. John. This charitable organization cared for the ill with great compasion.

Later they assisted the Knights of Crusaders in thier effort to win back the Holy Land. As the Knights of St. John and Knights of Crusaders attacked the city walls, the Saracens first threw glass bombs containing highly flammable liquids and then flaming torches. Many knights were severly burned, some suffering agonizing deaths. Risking horrible death, those knights who were able struggled desperatly to help thier burning comrades, beating out the flames and dragging them to safety. In acknowledgment of thier heroic deeds of rescuing fellow knights and fighting fires, the cross which they wore was decorated and inscribed.

In 1530, the Island of Malta was given to the courageous knights. The symbol on thier flag, the eight-point cross, became known as the "Maltese Cross." The cross, which had originally helped the knights distinguish between friend and foe, became the ultimate symbol of heroism and service. The cross, which is considered sacred, represents the principles of charity, loyalty, chivalry, gallantry, generosity to friend and foe, protection of the weak and dexterity in service.

Today, firefighters wear the Maltese Cross to symbolize thier willingness to risk thier lives to save others.

Friday, October 29, 2010

I Find This Sad

Guss Brown
1879 - 1937

I always think "how sad" when I see one of these place markers for someone that has never had a marker to replace it.  This one has been in since 1937.  Wonder why no one gave him a proper marker? But at least he has a great spot under a nice big tree.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

A Mother And Her Children

Located at Gill Cemetery in Van Buren, AR.
Mother
Ollie Irvin
1872 - 1914

She is the only one in this grouping that had a name on the stone the rest just had dates.  Sadly they were all children.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

War of 1812 Veteran & Vinet Fine's Son

Located at Newberry Cemetery in Alma, AR.
This Cenotph is located next to Vinet Fine's marker.
William Fine
1781 - 1865

Wed Apr 2, 1807

Catherine Fine
1791 - 1881

Buried in Greenland Ark

Catherine (Sivley) Fine
Daughter of
Jacob Sivley
And
Alsey Sivley

William Fine
Son of Vinet Fine
Born New Market Virginia 1781
Veteran War of 1812
Settled Fayetteville Ark 1828
Father of Johnathon Fine First
Settler at Fine Springs.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

American Revolution Veteran - Vinet Fine

This is My first Revolution War Veteran. I was so excited to find him even if it is a Cenotaph.
Located at Newberry Cemetery in Alma, AR.
Vinet Fine
1755 - 1783
Veteran
American Revolution
1776 - 1781

Born in Virginia 1755, son of Phillip Peter Fine. Both fought along with 4 of Vinet's brothers in the American Revolution 1776-1781. Descendants of Dutch Settlers New York (New Netherland at the time 1609- 1664) Vinet and brothers moved to Newport, Tenn. 1781 where Vinet was killed by indians 1783. His body was placed under ice in what is now Fines Creek North Carolina. His body was not recovered and he never had a proper burial. This monument was erected in his memory. He is ancestor to all Fines and all Fine relatives in this cemetery.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Shibley's Old Cedars

These beautiful cradle graves are located at Gill Cemetery in Van Buren, AR.
Eliza A. M.
Wife of
Henry Shibley
Born near Frankford, KY
Oct 12, 1818
Died in Van Buren, Ark
Apr 12, 1883
Aged
64 Yrs 6 Mos

Henry
Shibley
Born
Dec 1, 1815
Died
Sept 22, 1902
Aged 87 Yrs

They are located beneath a group of wonderful old cedar trees. I was so pleased to find this sign nailed to the tree directly behind Eliza's headstone. What a wonderful tribute to his wife.
Theses Cedars were
planted Jan 1, 1891
by Henry Shibley and family.

(There is a bit more to the sign but I can't make it out.)

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Last Freed Slave in Benton County

Located at Bentonville Cemetery in Bentonville, AR.
Mary Ann Gilbert
1860 - 1957

Married 68 Years

General C Gilbert
1870 - 1956

According to the Bentonville City web site, Mary Ann Gilbert was the last freed slave in Benton County Arkansas.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Saturday Symbol: Caduceus & Rod of Asclepius

The caduceus is often used as a symbol of medicine and/or medical practice primarily due to widespread confusion with the traditional medical symbol, the rod of Asclepius, which has only a single snake and no wings. 

To find the caduceus, with its two snakes and wings, used as a symbol of medicine instead of the correct rod of Asclepius, with only a single snake, is extremely common. This usage was popularised as a result of the adoption of the caduceus as its insignia by the US Army medical corps in 1902 .


The rod with two snakes is a Caduceus (3 of the shown) and the rod with one snake  is a Rod of Asclepius (Bottom left corner).

The caduceus is a herald's staff, a symbolic object representing Hermes (or the Roman Mercury), and by extension trades, occupations or undertakings associated with the god. It is today typically depicted as a short staff entwined by two serpents in the form of a double helix, and is sometimes surmounted by wings. This staff was also borne by Iris, the messenger of Hera.

The rod of Asclepius is an ancient symbol associated with astrology, the Greek God Asclepius, and with medicine and healing. It consists of a serpent entwined around a staff. The name of the symbol derives from its early and widespread association with Asclepius, the son of Apollo, who was a practitioner of medicine in ancient Greek mythology.

Symbolism (From Wikipedia)
The serpent and the staff appear to have been separate symbols that were combined at some point in the development of the Asclepian cult. The significance of the serpent has been interpreted in many ways; sometimes the shedding of skin and renewal is emphasized as symbolizing rejuvenation, while other assessments center on the serpent as a symbol that unites and expresses the dual nature of the work of the physician, who deals with life and death, sickness and health. The ambiguity of the serpent as a symbol, and the contradictions it is thought to represent, reflect the ambiguity of the use of drugs, which can help or harm, as reflected in the meaning of the term pharmakon, which meant "drug", "medicine" and "poison" in ancient Greek; we know that today antidotes and vaccines are often compounded from precisely the thing that caused the poisoning or illness. Products deriving from the bodies of snakes were known to have medicinal properties in ancient times, and in ancient Greece, at least some were aware that snake venom that might be fatal if it entered the bloodstream could often be imbibed. Snake venom appears to have been 'prescribed' in some cases as a form of therapy.
The staff has also been variously interpreted. One view is that it, like the serpent, "conveyed notions of resurrection and healing", while another (not necessarily incompatible) is that the staff was a walking stick associated with itinerant physicians. Cornutus, a philosopher probably active in the first century CE, in the Theologiae Graecae Compendium (Ch. 33) offers a view of the significance of both snake and staff that is worth quoting at length:
“ Asclepius derived his name from healing soothingly and from deferring the withering that comes with death. For this reason, therefore, they give him a serpent as an attribute, indicating that those who avail themselves of medical science undergo a process similar to the serpent in that they, as it were, grow young again after illnesses and slough off old age; also because the serpent is a sign of attention, much of which is required in medical treatments. The staff also seems to be a symbol of some similar thing. For by means of this it is set before our minds that unless we are supported by such inventions as these, in so far as falling continually into sickness is concerned, stumbling along we would fall even sooner than necessary. ”
 —Asclepius: A Collection and Interpretation of the Testimonies, Baltimore, 1945

In any case the two symbols certainly merged in antiquity as representations of the snake coiled about the staff are common. It has been claimed that the snake wrapped around the staff was a species of rat snake, Elaphe longissima.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Henry Disston

One of many mausoleums found at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia, PA. According to Images of America Philadelphia Graveyards and Cemeteries by Thomas H. Keels, this monument is one of the largest in Laurel Hill and cost $60,000 to erect in 1878.



Thursday, October 21, 2010

In Memory of Pops

Located in ForestPark Cemetery in Ft Smith, AR.
Billy Dean Yandell
September 16, 1955
December 6, 2006

Son, Brother, Uncle, Grandpa

Son of Frank and Dorothy
Grandson of Myrtle Mae Willis
"I'm home with Granny now."

Father of Robert & Bryan
Dedicated to my boys who gave me so much love,
laughter & joy in life from their first breath until
my last. Life is waiting for you so get going.
Pops will be waiting until we all get home again.

Grandpa loves his little angels that
God shared with me.
Kadence Savannah     Hayden William
Jenna Sue    Kaleb Dean    Keygan Sebastian

Grampy loves his special kiddos
Wilbur 95 Mister    Rascal & Jewels
I'm taking a napper till you get here.


Mr. Billy Dean Yandell
Mr. Billy Dean Yandell was born September 16, 1955 in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. The son of  Frank Delbert Yandell and Dorothy Juanita Willis Yandell. He was a casino food and beverage executive in Las Vegas, Nevada and the Mayor of Moffett, Oklahoma. Mr. Yandell passed this life on December 6, 2006 in Ft. Smith, Arkansas after having attained the age of  51 years, 2 months and 21 days.

Survivors are:
2 Sons and Daughters-in-law: Robert William and Jessica Yandell of Bella Vista, AR.,
Bryan Christopher and April Yandell of Moffett, OK.;
1 Granddaughter: Kadence Savannah Yandell of Moffett, OK.,
and triplet grandchildren on the way: 2 boys and 1 girl;
1 Sister: Bobbie Urso of Bullhead City, AZ.,
4 Brothers: Donnie and Timmy of Moffett, OK., Jimmy "J.D." of San Pedro, CA.,
and Ricky of Washington;
Many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends

He was preceded in death by his parents and his Granny Willis.
(Obit taken from http://www.agentfuneralhome.com/z_Yandell_B.html)

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

William Emlem Cresson

Another find while I was in Philadelphia, PA.  It was so hard to take pics on this day (8/10/09), it was so hazy and I am not used to photographing during this type of condition so my pics arn't the best. But I think you can still appreciate the beauty of this bronze monument.

Located at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia, PA.

A promising young artist, William Cresson entered the Pennsylvania Academy at age 17 in 1860 and also became a member of the Philadelphia Sketch Club, serving as secretary in 1863 and 1864. He died at age 25, and his wealthy parents gave the bulk of their fortune to the Academy to endow the Cresson Traveling Scholarship in honor of their son so that other artists could travel to get exposure to art. (Source: William Patterson & David Zellin, "Thomas Eakins and His Fellow Artists at the Philadelphia Sketch Club")

William Emlen Cresson
Only Child of
Emlen and Priseilla P. Cresson
Born March 15, 1843
Died August 5, 1868
-
A Lover of Art

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Bird Statue

 Located at Mt Hope Cemetery in Web City, MO.
This interesting statue of birds in flight is located directly in front of the Scorse's markers.

Beatrice Ann Scorse
Feb 20, 1911
Mar 30, 1994

Sidney W Scorse
MAJ US Army
World War II
March 22, 1906
Aug 18, 1983
Medical Corps

Monday, October 18, 2010

The Murder Of Christina Bishop and Louise Bishop

Located at St Vincents Cemetery in Avoca, AR.
Christina Bochenek
Bishop
Nov 20, 1968
Feb 17, 2010

(Note: Feb 17, 2010 was the day they located her body.)


Benton County Daily Record Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Christina Louise (Bochenek) Bishop, 40, of Bentonville, Ark. Born in Poland Nov. 20, 1968, adopted at age 3 by Chester and Louise Bochenek. Christina was raised in Cicero, Ill., a suburb of Chicago and later in Rogers, Ark. Christina Bishop was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Rogers, as well as St. Stephens Catholic Church in Bentonville. Survivors include two sons, Nicholas and John Johansen of Garfield; and daughter, Leslie Conner, who was given up for adoption; two stepbrothers, Scott Bishop of Boise, Idaho, and Christopher Bishop of Bentonville; and many cousins and nieces. Christina's cousin George Joseph Skupien and his wife had recently relocated to the area to care for Christina and her mother, Louise Bishop, who both died suddenly together. Visitation will be at the Benton County Funeral Home, 306 N. Fourth St., Rogers, on Friday, March 5, 2010, from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral Mass will be at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 1416 Poplar St., Rogers, on Saturday, March 6, 2010, at 10:30 a.m., with Monsignor David LeSieur officiating; burial in St. Vincent Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Rogers, Ark.

 Chester S Bochenek
Nov 5, 1924
Oct 15, 1987

Louise Bochenek
Jan 29, 1927
Feb 17, 2010

(Note: Feb 17, 2010 was the day they located her body. Chester was her second husband who she requested to be buried next to because she had spent most of her time in Arkansas with him.)


Benton County Daily Record March 3, 2010
Louise (Szoctacka) Bishop, 81, of Bentonville, Ark. Louise was born in Poland on Dec. 29, 1927, and became a "very proud" U.S. citizen in 1957. Louise lived through the war and told stories of running from planes dropping bombs near her home in Poland. She relived the horror throughout her entire life. Close friends said that Louise had shrapnel from bombs removed from her shoulder and leg. While Louise was a proud American citizen, she never forgot her Polish heritage. Accordion music of polkas, waltzes and classical music once played throughout her home. Louise retired from Zenith Television Corp., in Cicero, Ill., a suburb of Chicago, and later owned several businesses to include "The Sandman Motel" in Rogers, Ark., which was once located on Walnut Street across from the now Frisco Mall. Louise was a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Rogers, as well as St. Stephens Catholic Church in Bentonville. Preceded in death by her daughter, Christina (Bochenek) Bishop; two brothers in Ukraine; and husbands, Edward Skupien, Chester Bochenek and Lacy Bishop. Louise had requested to be buried next to Chester to whom she spent most of her life with here in Northwest Arkansas. Survivors include two grandsons, Nicholas and John Johansen; as well as a granddaughter, Leslie Conner; and two stepsons Scott Bishop of Boise, Idaho, and Christopher Bishop of Bentonville; as well as two sisters living overseas in Ukraine ;and many nieces and nephews, to include George Joseph Skupien of Chicago, her godson and nephew who had recently relocated to Arkansas upon her request. Visitation will be at the Benton County Funeral Home, 306 N. Fourth St., Rogers, on Friday, March 5, 2010, from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral Mass will be at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 1416 Poplar St., Rogers, on Saturday, March 6, 2010, at 10:30 a.m. with Monsignor David LeSieur officiating; burial in St. Vincent Cemetery.
***************************************************

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Cemetery Related Events

Bentonville, AR

Eureka Springs, AR 


Saturday, October 16, 2010

Saturday Symbol: International Organization Of Rainbow For Girls (BFCLR)


International orginization of rainbow for girls is a nonprofit organization that strives to give girls the tools, training, and encouragement to let their individual spirits shine bright. By providing members with a safe, fun, caring environment where responsible, older girls can interact and mentor younger girls through family involvement. You can see more at http://www.gorainbow.org/whatisrainbow/whatisrainbow.taf .

High Tweleve international Rainbow Girls

Friday, October 15, 2010

The Lose Of 5 Young Girls



Fire Kills Five Girls In Bentonville

Tue. Mar 25th 2008
By Richard Dean Prudenti

The Morning News

BENTONVILLE - Five sisters who slept together on the second floor of their Bentonville home died together in a fire early Tuesday morning.

The girls parents' Jamie Dale Frazier, 33, and Karry A. Mahmens Frazier, 27, were downstairs and escaped without injury after a smoke detector alerted them to fire and smoke at 402 S.W. "B" St. about 1:22 a.m.

By the time Bentonville firefighters reached the house at 1:24 a.m., the couple's five children were dead. Police identified them as Kristan Frazier, 13; Kimberly Frazier, 11; Katelyn Mahmens, 9; Kaila Frazier, 8; and Kiya Frazier, 5.

"This is the nightmare firefighters dread," said Bentonville Fire Chief Dan White, noting 44 Bentonville personnel along with some Rogers firefighters responded to the scene.

Firefighters arrived and found the fire making its way from the second floor down a narrow stairwell, which was the only access to the second floor except for a small window that would have been difficult for person to get through, White said.

All of the children were in "sleeping positions" in a room where two of them were lying on twin beds side by side and three of them were on the floor, White said.

"They were exposed to the smoke for too long," he said.

Investigators sent a portable electric heater to the state Crime Laboratory, said Bentonville Police Chief James Allen.

"It looks like this is accidental based on the space heater," which was between the beds and the wall on the south side of the house, Allen said. He said autopsies at the medical examiner's office in Little Rock will help determine causes of death.

The parents were distraught when firefighters arrived, Allen said. "Apparently the dad tried to go back upstairs even after the fire department got there," he said.

Police also are investigating the presence of drug paraphernalia and small amounts of what they believe to be methamphetamine and marijuana in the house. There were no signs that methamphetamine was being manufactured in the house, and neither parent was tested for drug use, Allen said.

The Fraziers had lived in Bentonville for several years and the children had been in the public schools for some time, said Superintendent Gary Compton.

Compton said teachers and principals were reeling Tuesday from the loss of five students.

"It's always a really sad day when somebody young loses their lives. The schools are struggling," Compton said.

He and school administrators met with principals at Lincoln Junior High School, Ruth Hale Barker Middle School and Sugar Creek Elementary School on Tuesday morning to help those schools' staffs handle their emotions and determine what to tell students.

An Arvest Bank account has been set up for the Frazier family to help pay for the children's burials, said Carol Martin, a friend of the children's grandmother, Kathy Mahmens. For more information, call Arvest at 271-1253.

The Morning News' Lana Flowers contributed to this report.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

First Woman Doctor in Arkansas

Dr. Pearl Tatman resting in the IOOF Cemetery in Eureka Springs, AR.
Dr. Albert E
Tatman
1870-1925

Dr Pearl
Tatman
1867-1944

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Lean On Me

Located at Twelve Corner Cemetery in Pea Ridge, AR.
Frank
Son of
 J.C. & L.A. Moore
Died
Dec. 17, 1879
Aged
 11 years 3 months 25 days

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Field Of The Unknown

Located at Pace Chapel Cemetery in Garfield, AR.
  Each of these markers bear the inscription "Unknown" on them.
There were well over 25 of these "Unknown" markers in this cemetery.  I know there were a number of graves moved from a cemetery that was inundated by Beaver Lake.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Wow...a really bad correction

Located at Hillcrest Cemetery in Gravette, AR.
If you look close you can see two names Evelyn & Warren.  You can also see to birth dates 1888 & 1910.
Personally I think the monument company could have done a much better job of this corresction.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Larry Franklin White

Located at Bluff Cemetery in Springdale, AR.
In Memory Of Our Son
Larry Franklin White
1922 - 1945
Who served 2 years in the US Navy
Saw action on the USS Abner Read

We pray that God will give us the will
and the strength to preserve the free-
dom for which our son gave so much.

Friday, October 8, 2010

Christian Chistopher Sager

Located at Pace Chapel Cemetery in Garfield, AR.
Christian Christopher
Sager
Christian was born 30 June 1813 in
Sabbenhausen, Lippe - Detmold, Prussia
(Germany). He was baptises 4 July 1813
in the Evanfelical (Lutheran) church
as Christoph Christian Sager
He was the son of Friedrich and
Dorothea (Maris) Saeger.
He came to the United States of America
in 1836 and to Benton County
Arkansas in 1837.  The year after statehood.
Christian married Winifred Matney in 1845.
They had three sons. WInifred died in 1853.
He married Macy Cook in 1856
at War Eagle Arkansas,
They had three sons and two daughters.
Their younger daughter Louvina J Sager
Married Robert P Pace (Graves Nearby)
Chritians older brothers were
Simon Sager of Siloam Springs (Hico), Arkansas
and Henry Carl Sager of Kansas City (Westport)
Missouri. Christian was a renowned furniture
maker and owned a store and water-powered
sawmill on Praire creek at its confluence with
White River.  His business partner was his cousin
Frederick Greene, also from Prussia.
Christian died 13 February 1872 at Praire Creek,
Arkansas.  Sager and Greene were buried near
their mill.  The graves were relocated in 1961
prior to the inundation by Beaver Lake.
Ledger placed - 2009

Here is some info I found on him:
Greene & Sager Bedstead
The Sagers
The town that Frisco built

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Can't Forget Hiedi Sue

Located at Centerton Cemetery in Centerton, AR. 
Patty Sue
Stubbs
Sept 17, 1939
May 29 2006

Yes there are
stars in her crown.

And we can't forget Hiedi Sue.


Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Just Outside The Gate

Ok so this is not inside a cemetery but it is right across the street from the Forest Park Cemetery in Ft Smith, AR. And its a memorial also.  I liked it so I thought I'd share.

Dedicated to the memory
of our comrades
who entered the service
of their country
from Fort Smith, Arkansas
and who gave their lives
on the World War
----
Victor Ellig Post No. 31
The American Legion


Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Must Have Been A Cat Lover

This unique marker can be found at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in hiwasse, AR.
Bryonna Dayle
Sullivent
Oct 30, 1988
Oct 6, 2001
Momma's precious gift from God. 

Monday, October 4, 2010

Died at 103 years old

Located at Bethel Cemetery in Gravette, AR.
Aunt Nellie
Austin
Grandmother of
L & E Austin
Born Oct 1789
Died Jan 1892
Aged 103 Years
The gates of Heaven for
her will open wide

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Identifying Major StoneTypes

This information was taken from The Association of Gravestone Studies. It has been very helpful to me so I though I would share it.


GRANITE
  • Igneous rock with visible grain, primarily quartz and feldspar
  • Speckled appearance with sparkly mica and dull black flecks
  • Extremely hard rock that is difficult to carve by hand
  • Grays, pinks in a wide range of colors
  • Commercial granites include gneiss and other rocks not strictly granite
  • Exhibits a full range of grain sizes with uniform surface patterns
  • Granular with no discernable bedding planes
  • Often used for monuments and tombs
LIMESTONE
  • Soft, sedimentary rock primarily composed of calcite
  • Fossils may be recognizable and are the most diagnostic trait
  • Tan, buff or gray colored that darkens with age
  • Matte surface almost never polished
  • Somewhat rough texture, rarely “sugars” like marble
  • No marked veining like marble
  • No definite layers or bedding planes like sandstone
  • No sparkly mica grains like granite
  • Often gets gypsum crusts
MARBLE
  • Hard, dense crystalline or granular metamorphic limestone
  • White when new or in new breaks, but older marbles may appear gray from soiling
  • Capable of taking a high polish, yellows with age
  • May have veins of gray or gold
  • Commercial marble is any lime carbonate capable of taking a polish, could include limestone and many colors
  • Tennessee marble is medium-grained similar to limestone in texture with a pink cast
  • Georgia marble is very large-grained, somewhat gray in color
  • Predominant stone for gravestones in the 19th century
  • Many early marbles are eroded and “sugaring”
SANDSTONE
  • Sedimentary rock composed of cemented sand grains – “bedding planes”
  • Red and brown (Brownstone) in color, can be gray, tan or blue (Bluestone)
  • Fine-grained stone with sand grains
  • Often flakes and delaminates
· SLATE
  • Metamorphosed shale, hard and brittle
  • Usually black, gray or blue
  • Sometimes fades with time
  • Extremely smooth, fine-grained stone with even bedding planes usually running parallel with the stone’s face
  • Holds carving very well, inscriptions usually very clear
  • Uniform surface appearance
  • Gravestones tend to be thin and simple in shape, generally not more than six inches
SOAPSTONE
  • Metamorphic rock
  • Largely composed of the mineral talc and is rich in magnesium
  • Easily carved and darkens over age
  • Smooth to the touch
  • Used in 19th century, commonly for slot and tab tombs in Georgia
  • White, gray, greenish gray, pale green -- commonly discolored in reddish or brownish hues and mottled

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Saturday Symbol: Gold Star Mother

The Gold Star Mothers is an organization for those who have lost a child in the service of the country.

Friday, October 1, 2010

Famous File: General Abraham Whinery

Located at Bethel Cemetery in Gravette, AR.
General
Abraham Whinery
1795 - 1866
Served under General
Andrew Jackson in the
War of 1812, Battle of
 Horseshoe Bend. Elected
Colonel of Bedford Co.
Tennessee Militia, 1827.
Moved to Cane Hill,
Arkansas in 1828. Represented
Washington Co. at territorial
legislature from
1831 thru 1835. Auctioneer
of original town lots of
 Fayetteville, 1835 thru 1837.
Represented Washington
Co. at Constitutional Convention
in 1836. State Representative
Washington Co. 1836 thru 1838. State Senator
Washington Co. 1838 thru
 1840. Appointed Lt. Commander
of 8 companies. Removed to
 Spavinaw in 1839 after murders
of Ridge and Boudinot.
State Senator Benton and
Madison counties 1840 thru
1842. Inspector General of the
 state of Arkansas 1840. State
Representative of Benton County 1854 thru 1855.
Charter member of Wash. Lodge
No. 1 AF & AM 1836. 1838 delegate
to form Grand Lodge of Arkansas.
Charter member Far West chapter Fayetteville.
US and CSA Postmaster of Spavinaw
1852 thru 1866.
Trustee Spavinaw Methodist Episcopal
Church South.