Author Archives: gravelyspeaking

What do you see?

Posted on November 4, 2026 by gravelyspeaking

In the Markers XXV article, “Scottish Discoid Gravemarkers: The Origins and Classification of a Rare Type of Mortuary Artifact”* author George Thomson discusses an unusual gravestone form—the discoid.  It is unusual because it doesn’t occur very often.  However, examples can … Continue reading →

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Check the sleeves

Posted on October 28, 2026 by gravelyspeaking

IN MEMORY OF THOMAS ADAMS, Native of Castine, Maine. Born May 13, 1819. Died January 10, 1871. THOMAS R. ADAMS, Born July 21, 1853. Died January 21, 1898. MARY GARITTY ADAMS, Wife of Alex Telford Born March 31, 1831. Died … Continue reading →

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The Love of a Mother

Posted on October 20, 2026 by gravelyspeaking

John Kennedy Toole December 17, 1937 – March 26, 1969 One of my favorite books is A Confederacy of Dunces written by John Kennedy Toole about a hapless character named Ignatius J. Reilly who lives and works in the French … Continue reading →

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Spooky Fun!

Posted on October 8, 2026 by gravelyspeaking

I’ll be volunteering as a tour guide this coming Saturday supporting my local cemetery and historical center.

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QUEEN OF THE BAREBACK RIDERS

Posted on October 4, 2026 by gravelyspeaking

ZEFTA LOYAL SEPTEMBER 23, 1916 – APRIL 26, 1996 Beloved Mother of Dolly and Gina Original Loyal Repensky Troupe The Showmen’s Rest section of the Mount Olivet Cemetery in Hugo, Oklahoma, is the final resting place for some of the … Continue reading →

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Mud Show Elephant Man

Posted on September 27, 2026 by gravelyspeaking

Mud Show Elephant Man TERRY DUANE FENNE Feb. 10, 1950 – June 14, 2006 Have A Seat On Me It seems that it was more common to run off to join the circus than one might have thought.  Barely a … Continue reading →

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Elephant John

Posted on September 23, 2026 by gravelyspeaking

JOHN CARROLL MARCH 3, 1926 APRIL 25, 1980 ELEPHANT TRAINER Al. G. KELLY – MILLER BROS. CIRCUS 1948 – 1968 CARSON AND BARNES CIRCUS 1969 – 1980 FOUNDER OF THE JOHN CARROLL’S SHOWMEN’S REST TRUST FUND Circuses are full of … Continue reading →

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The Pink Lady with a High-Flying Past

Posted on September 18, 2026 by gravelyspeaking

Grace Sykes McIntosh McFarland July 25, 1915, Walkerville, Essex, Ontario, Canada October 28, 2016, Hugo, Choctaw County, Oklahoma Buried Showman’s Rest, Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Hugo, Oklahoma I am at the age where people don’t notice me—they just look past the … Continue reading →

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The Big Top

Posted on September 15, 2026 by gravelyspeaking

Jack Bonham Moore January 18, 1919, Marshall, Texas March 15, 1969, Hugo Oklahoma The Big Top-shaped gray granite monument in the Showmen’s Rest section of the Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Hugo, Oklahoma, commemorates the grave of the Carson and Barnes … Continue reading →

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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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