The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1905-07-27
CHAPTER rwgNrYNlNE.
oskalooss's cemeteries---Eariy Funer.
~Fiecolleotions Of Dead,

In tho very early years, when death
came 10 tho home Of the western
traveller. some ridge or hill was He'
iected on which TO bury the dead.
II would be a spot we'll marked by
huge tree or grove or stream.
Sometimes, III the necessity OF keep.
Ing MP with tho caravan, a grave was
hurriedIy dug Dy the side OF the
trail.
Thomas A. Stoddard who passed
through Fort Kearney July ~, 1862.
on his return 10 Iowa, counted ak
hundred fresh graves by the roadside
between that point and his Iowa
home. He also states that up 70 the
foregoing date the government rec.
ords showed that Al ,15G emigrants
had passed through Fort Kearney
going westward.
The frat cemetery near OBkaloosa
was laid out on an acre OF land dom
ated for that purpose by Judge John
white, Who lived on the ridge just
southwest Of town. Mr.. white was
me first probate Judge in this county
(Isf4-49) and retained the title
throughout his lifetime in distinction
10 John White, the 6nancier and
banker, whose home was Just north
" Oskalooga.
This cemetery was located on the
ridge southwest OF the Second ward
school building. Mr.. George White,
son OF Judge White, states that the
first person buried there was a Cal.
lfornia emigrant who died while his
caravan was passing through on
their westward journey.
Quite q number Of the early settlers,
who're names hay enot come down TO
ug, we're buried In this old grave
yard. One pioneer, who was boy
at that time, describes clearly the
simple burial service. The crude
walnut cofins and the wooden head
boards which had the name Of the in.
TERED inscribed upon II with oil and
lamp black
II Ii . serious reflection on the In.
gratitude " this city that thlg ga
cred spot has been allowed 10 be des.
ecrated In 10 many ways. The pco.
pIe whore bones lle there, whoever
they may be, fought the battle Of civ
iIizatfon for Us, enduring hardships
and giving up life itself for the con,
quegt of the wilderness. They have
bequeathed 20 us this good land for
which we aid not toll. Their last
resting place deserves 10 be protected
and treated with reverence and
gratitude. Uniegs we vet the example
20 future generations, Gods acre will
only have a commercial value in the
mind Of the multiplied thousands who
shall take our places. Az the plain
marble slab and the unmarked grave
have meant nothing To us, 80 the pol
ished monument and the splendid
Mausoleum viii mean nothing 70 the
children Of men who shall Struggle
for an existence In Mahagka county
IN one or two hundred years from 20.
day. May Heaven bless the memory
of the unseIish life Of the pioneer
and keep w from being ungratefui
TO his dust
On account Of the wet and spongy
condition Of the roll in this 6rstcemc.
terry tile ladies OF the city organized
d society in 1913, which had for IT'S
DurpOgs the raising OF SUFFICIENT
means TO purchase and improve a
hye-acre lot a mile north Of town.
They raised money by making differ.
'cnt articles Of plain clothing and
placing them On sale at the stores in
Oglalooga. With means mus acquir,
"a they purchased from John White
the plat Of ground now known az the
old cemetery. This was used az the
city'g burying gfouDt until 1860. In
June 81 that year a public meeting Of
citizens was called 10 organize Gem.
etary association. At this meeting
r. Myers, ,. II. Necdhan, q. y. Childs
end VIM. Loughridge were appointed
as a committee 10 report articles Of
incorporation for adoption at the next
meeting. Another committee consist
mr. of Wesley MoreIand, w. o. Edgar
and WIN. g. Rhinehart we're appoint.
"a 10 select gite and ascertain the
cost Of lands suitable for the location
Og new cemetery. At the next
meeting the committee on articles Of
incorporation reported suitable
CHARTER. we give the preamble in
fuIl beeauSe II contains good list Of
welLknown NAMES and shows the
spirit Of the founders OF The new
movement:
BE it known By these presents that
we. James Rbinehart, j. n. Chiidg,
Henry Lyeter, jar. A, Sewers. J. II.
Macon, III Ketner, John y. Hopkins,
John n. Ncedbam, James McQuiston,
D. Warren Lowring. Henry Howard,
philip Myers, A. r.. Gecberger, Benja. |
min n. Ingels, y. &, Crawford VIII.
lam Ioughr.dge, James p. Dixon,
gamnel a. Rice, VI. J.. Jackson, VIM.
NJ WeIls, John ID. Gaunt, VIM. 3. Ed
gaI, Samuel IngeIs, ami Solomon r.
Hhlneharfy desiring 10 estabIiEh
now cemetery At o. near the city of
r,rt1ioorA IN fhts comfy n Mahanka Il