Author Archives: gravelyspeaking

Showman’s Rest

Posted on September 9, 2026 by gravelyspeaking

On February 19, 1913, a small group of devoted circus performers gathered at the Saratoga Hotel in Chicago, Illinois, to form the Showmen’s League of America.  The club’s first order of business was to elect superstar Wild West showman Buffalo … Continue reading →

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A Tribute in Bronze

Posted on August 31, 2026 by gravelyspeaking

DON KNOTTS 1924 – 2006 He saw the poignancy in people’s pride and pain and turned it into something hilarious and endearing. Recently while driving the Route 66 leg from St. Louis to Santa Monica, I took a side trip … Continue reading →

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A Correction in Stone

Posted on August 25, 2026 by gravelyspeaking

IN Memory of ELDRIDGE PAULEY Who was Born 10th March 1824 Died July 20th 1837 The small gravestone of Eldridge Pauley in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Bloomington, Indiana, was carved with a misspelling—a crucial mistake.  Every journalist is taught … Continue reading →

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Packed with Meaning

Posted on August 13, 2026 by gravelyspeaking

EVA PEARL Dau. of R. C. & G. Ellison Died Aug. 20, 1901 Aged 1 Yr. 2Ms. & 26 Ds. Of such is the Kingdom of Heaven The gray marble gravestone commemorating the grave of Eva Pearl Ellison in the … Continue reading →

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What are the odds?

Posted on July 31, 2026 by gravelyspeaking

Alfred Patton Born Oct. 10, 1834 KILLED BY LIGHTNING Died July 13, 1856 Aged 21 years While volunteering in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Bloomington, Indiana, I came across a gravestone that was broken into two pieces and partially buried.  … Continue reading →

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Beyond the flight of time

Posted on July 23, 2026 by gravelyspeaking

HOMER DUANE Son of J. & C. CORSAW BORN … 1846 IN THE 25th Year of His Age The Rose Hill Cemetery in Bloomington, Indiana, is conducting a survey of the oldest section of the cemetery—gravestone by gravestone.  Volunteers log … Continue reading →

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MYTH and MARKETING

Posted on July 20, 2026 by gravelyspeaking

The dusty, rock-laden graveyard in Tombstone, Arizona, was originally called the Tombstone Cemetery—not very creative but accurate and to the point.  It was only “active” for five years from 1879 to 1884 and contains about 270 burials. When the Tombstone … Continue reading →

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Death Intrudes

Posted on July 12, 2026 by gravelyspeaking

EVA MAUD Dau. of N. D. & E. H. BARNES. BORN Aug. 12, 1878. DIED Sept. 7, 1898. You are not dead to us, But as a bright star unseen. We hold that you are ever near, Though death intrudes … Continue reading →

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The Stag

Posted on June 29, 2026 by gravelyspeaking

BEN. T. CLARK SEPT. 15. 1867 OCT. 28. 1935 MY FAULTS WRITE THEM UPON THE SANDS OF THE SEA; MY GOOD DEEDS WRITE UPON THE TABLET OF THY MEMORY. ERECTUM AD MEMORIAM ME AM. Alongside Alternate Route 58 in Abingdon, … Continue reading →

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A Tribute to My Father

Posted on June 21, 2026 by gravelyspeaking

Today is Father’s Day—a Hallmark Card holiday like someone’s birthday, Valentine’s Day, or Mother’s Day.  But unlike Mother’s Day, Father’s Day is undoubtedly a second-rate holiday especially when compared to Mother’s Day.  Consider that on May 8, 1914 after decades … Continue reading →

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