Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-06
HIS LAST RESTING PLACE
A Kentuckian Who Has Ideas All His
Own.
And Has Worked Them Out In His
Cemetery Lot-A Remarkable
Group of Statuary.

INA 1t lLLO, n.y., ANoSCihDCi -, 1919.
Here in Mayfield, a. fourishing little city
in the PeEnyroyal district Of Kentucky,
| lives one of the most interesting characters
in the state. He has passion. like unto
which there was never one possessed be-
fore-a passion for tonrbstones. Seventy
five years old and well preserved, this man,
Mr. Henry G. Woodbridge, has only begun
the task of fitting UP his last resting place.
Uncle Henry" as he is Familiarity
known to every one, was born in middle
Tennessee, November 20, 1922, and was the
youngest of a family of eight children.
His father died when he was but two years
old, and his mother died fifteen years after.
His four brothers and three sisters are
all dead now, leaving him the sole sur
vlyor of the family and 1.-The last of his
race
About five years since Mr. Woodbridge
purchased lot III the Mayfield cemetery
and had q marble shaft erected to mark
his grave, when he should be buried there.
On this shaft he had the date of his birth.
Masonic n.bcm and a horse chiseled.
leaving a space for the date of his death
to be carved, when he died. He was not
pleased with this monument. and had
statue of himself made in Italy and mount
ed by the side of his monument. He then
concluded to have his statue mounted on
his favorite horse. "Fop." placed with the
group, which he did, and then had a mar
bic saEcophaSus erected. which he had
In Honor of His Prowess.
"Uncle Henry" was never married, never
having experienced a thrill of love for the
faircr sex. hence his affections were CEN
tered UPON his dumb animal friends. He
was great hunter in his younger days.
and many a buck has felt the sting Of
death from his gun. He was very fond of
chasing the cunning fox, and had fine
pack of hounds at his home at all times.
Mounted upon his hunting horse, "Fop,"
with his favorite fox hound, Bob" in the
lead, he has spent many night in the
chase His deerncund. "Towhead," was
with Bob is placed in front of his
| mounted statue. A deer is placed in front
of '"Towhead," in the act of running. and
fox is before the fox hound, Bob" Thus
does he do homage to the memory of his
fast friends in the chase of earlier days,
He had dear little girl friend who kindly!
| attended him during a severe. spell of sick
ness, and he has caused to be erected
statue of her on his lot.
His Family Not Forgotten.
He next turned his attention to the fam
lily, and the first to be remembered was his
mother Her statue stands to the right of
| his and that of his father directly in front
of her. Then favorite niece, Maude, was
| remembered with statue to the rear of
his mother. The last work of the sculptor
has just been placed among the group his
three brothers-Join H., William F. and
Alfred T. Woodbridge. All these statues
and monuments are erected iii an nclosure
| IL by 30 feet and are surrounded by
iron fence. Tie old man is not yet salts
| fed with the silent guards he will have
anove him while ne sleeps the long sleep,
! anu will enlarge his lot soon to have th%
statues of his sisters erected with his 9TH
| er relatives.
| The arrangement, as well as the idea, is
| very unique, and it is very rare thing
| that a stranger visits Mayfield without GO
| ing out to the wonderful collection
| which stands upon Mr.. Wooldridge'e lot.
| His lot is situated on the brow of a small
| hill, to the right of the entrance, and can
| be seen great distance from the ceme-
| terry.
To Make 1t Complete.
| "Uncle Henry wants every person and
| every creature he loved represented In his
| collection. and says he will have them all
| there. il he lives long enough to see it car
| ried out. While he has excellent health for
one Of his age, he is constantly preparing
! for the final summons, and has purchased
his metallic casket, and his robe, in which
| he wishes to be laid IN the tomb to rest.
| He has spent thousands of dollars in pre-
| pairing his lot, and has much more at his
command, being very wealthy man. He
! has no near relatives living 10 whom he
will leave his estate, and his greatest de-
| sire Is to have his loved ones close to him
| in death.
| Ee lives with none of his relations but
! has built him home and has housekeep-
/ ers to attend his wants. He takes a drive
every day, and always takes look at his
lot in the cemetery while he is out driv-
| ing.
| His life is nearly spent now, and, when
| the summons has come at last, and Uncle
| Henry lies down to rest, the sweet notes
of the southern hooking bird will cheer the
craven images during their silent watch
Ger his to,rIb and the coming generations
| VIII nave cause to wonder what manner
| OF man could have possessed such q pc
| culiar passion.