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THE RECORDING OF A CEMETERY

By Thelma Greene Reagan

 

Today we walked where others walked

On a lonely, windswept hill.

Today we talked where others cried

For loved ones whose lives are stilled.

 

Today our hearts were touched

By graves of tiny babies.

Snatched from the arms of loving kin,

In the heartbreak of the ages.

 

Today we saw where

the grandparents lay

In the last sleep of their time.

Lying under the trees and clouds -

Their beds kissed by the sun and wind.

 

Today we wondered

About an unmarked spot.

Who lies beneath this hallowed ground?

Was it a babe, child, young or old?

No indication could be found.

 

Today we saw where Mom and Dad lay.

We had been here once before

On a day we'd all like to forget,

But will remember forever more.

 

Today we recorded for kith and kin

The graves of ancestors past.

To be preserved for generations hence,

A record we hope will last.

 

Cherish it, my friend.

Preserve it, my friend,

For stones sometimes crumble to dust

And generations of folks yet to come

Will be grateful for your trust.

 

Welcome to the

Mower County MNGenWeb Project

 

Mower County Cemetery Information

Visit Find A Grave for more information on Mower County Cemeteries

 

Tombstones Found in Austin Yard

Last Spring (2006) several old tombstones were found in a yard in Austin, Minnesota. They present a great mystery! Below is a newspaper article regarding the stones, and below that are photos of the stones.

If anyone can shed light on any of these individuals, please contact the Mower County GenWeb coordinators.

 

No Leads in Tombstones Research

Thu, Sep 21, 2006
By Tim Ruzek
The Post-Bulletin

A search for information on five, old tombstones found last May in an Austin backyard turned out unfruitful.

An intern working in the archaeologist's office this summer was unable to find more information on the tombstones, which date back to the late 1800s, state archaeologist Scott Anfinson said. He had hoped to find the headstones' original location.

In early June, Anfinson visited the northwest Austin yard in which the tombstones were found buried face down and determined the land wasn't an old cemetery. They likely were brought in from a small, area cemetery to be used as paving stones, he said in June.

Florence Hatleli, one of two tenants to discover the tombstones near their apartment complex's parking area, said she and tenant Jesse Stayton had hoped officials would find more information. She had wanted to give the markers to descendants of the people whose names are on the stones.

Hatleli, who still has the markers, said she and Stayton don't have specific plans for what to do with the markers.

The names on the headstones are Albert Childs, Dora Nutter, Anna Kistler and Charlie Bartell. The fifth name is unreadable.

The markers are for five people -- adults and children -- who died between 1874 and 1882.

A construction worker expanding the apartment's parking area in May unknowingly dug up the first headstone and set it to the side where Stayton discovered it was for a woman who died in 1879.

 

 

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       Anna Kistler

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     Charlie M. Bartell

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    Dora Nutter

 

 

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    Albert A. Childs

A close - up of a tombstone

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   Unknown Individual

           Died 1874

 

Photos taken by Michelle Lane; submitted to Mower GenWeb by Kathy Pike

©2006 Kermit Kittleson for MnGenWeb

Posted Sept 24, 2006

Updated Oct. 2, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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