Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-08-08
NO. 1876
THE GRAVE OF LOvEJoY.

A correspondent of the Rutland (Vt.)
Daily Herald has paid visit to the burial
place of Eli P. Lovejoy, who was muir
dersd by some ruffians from Missouri be-
cause he was an abolitionist. Lovejoy
was a native Of the town Of China, Maine.
where he grew to manhood and where the
house is still standing in which he was
born.
You now find me at Upper Alton. H..
accompanied TO the cemetery, situated on
the upper plateau of the Missouri, mid
way between the two villages. Here we
entered the resting-place OF many q de-
serted form. As by instinct alone. / was
led directly to the sequestered spot. The
Rev. Elijah p. Loveloy's remains we're de-
posted at the westerly end OF the public
grounds, over which a small tombstone
preserved the memory of q deceased rela-
tive and martyr. II was simply q plain.
oblong block of blue marble, supporting
white marble scroll thereon, and one
lonely stem of live-forever plant. was all
that pointed out as guide and seminal over
the remains of this once firm, formidable
foe, now earthed to rest. We seemed 10
be alone as we neared the grave, and en-
tering the arena, or the halo Of some in
visible occult power, subjecting this living
framework TO o peaceful, mild shiver,
which moved in wayy silence all over and
through us. 1t was good to be there and
sense the harmonious welcome greetings
as they were showered down by the spirits
of the living dead. This exquisitely fin
ished white scroll beneath our gaze bore
in beautiful raised letters the inscription
"IIic jacet corpus Lovejoy,
Jam paice seputto."
which was readily interpreted by A. A.
Kendrick, president of Shurtleff College,
as follows -
"Here lies the body of Lovejoy,
Now spare his tomb"
After returning home, grandson--Ed-
ward Kendrick-now ten yesrs OF age,
translated the monument inscription ut
once thus -
'Here lies Lovejoy's body.
Keep off my grave"
Kendrick and the narrator set out to-
gether with desire to visit the "Lower
Town." and more especially the old stone
building where Lovejoy ran his printing
works, and the spot where this bold and
honored marty lost his life while advo-
eating the rights OF rnan,-the fundamen
tai doctrines of State, life, liberty, indie.
pendence, human rights.
The east gable window of the ware
house is now closed with brick and mortar,
where his fragmentary press took it's final.
leap to the ground. small sacricce, max
ing room for the triumphant Ph9nir which
soon rose from its ashes. This pile of
stones stands in statue quo, an emblem of
death unto life. living monument, for
lorn and deserted; its only friends are
owls, moles and bats, and in fact the
whole downtown still bears that sombre
appearance. H..
Previous and up to this event in the his
tory of Alton, it ranked as the most prom
sing business settlement on the waters
above New Orleans, and was considered
the inland commercial mart of the CEN
trail West. Thus it was not uncommon to
find letters addressed to ST Louis bearing
notice near Alton These town sites are
both located near the junction or confu-
ence Of the two great waters of the world,
Missouri and Mississippi" 10