The inscription on the front of the schoolhouse:
HARRY M. HAYS
1850-1923
EDWIN (POP) BOWERS
1873-1940
HIS WIFE
LU. NELL BOWERS
1876-1973
The inscription on the front of the schoolhouse:
WM. A. HAYS
APR. 14, 1879,
MAR. 29, 1880.
ALBERT HAYS
JULY 8, 1852,
SEPT. 17, 1877.
The inscription on the side panel of the schoolhouse:
ALEXANDER HAYS
OCT. 30, 1850,
APR.30, 1896.
HARRY BAKER
SON OF E. H. & N. BOWERS
MAY 6, 1895,
APR. 28, 1896.
Side panel of the schoolhouse:
JOSEPHINE BOWERS
JULY 1, 1909
MAR. 15, 1983
ELLA M. BOWERS
MAY 2, 1907
MAY 12, 1987
EDWIN H. BOWERS
NOV. 22, 1905
AUG. 11, 1988
Cave Hill Cemetery at Louisville, Kentucky, has many examples of monumental art. In this example, the Hays family chose a schoolhouse. What is unclear is what the significance to the schoolhouse it to the family.
This is my family’s monument. While the significance of its design seems to be unknown to our family, the significance family members’ lives is not. Though materially impoverished, my ancestors passed along the riches of civility, humility, courtesy, loyalty, dignity, faith, determination, humor, and love to my sisters, my cousins, and me. They taught us that our integrity is all we can truly call our own. The love and guidance bestowed upon us by our vast extended family was a godsend. My great grandmother, great aunts and uncles were long-lived persons who provided my sisters and me with a stability that was missing within our immediate family. This stability enabled us to know how to be functional parents when our turn came. My debt to them can never be fully paid.
That is a beautiful tribute to your family.