Author Archives: gravelyspeaking

Italian Model or Angel, updated

Posted on November 20, 2015 by gravelyspeaking

There is a story about “the girl in the shadow box”. It is an ancient story told and re-told of unrequited love that is also told about this statue. According to local St. Louis lore, the Herman Luyties’ (1871-1921) Monument in … Continue reading →

Posted in Saving Graces | 6 Comments

The Knight’s Helmet

Posted on November 17, 2015 by gravelyspeaking

The Knights of Pythias metal marker features many of the symbols that are significant to the Knights.  A knight’s helmet sits atop crossed battle axes with three letters, “F”, “C”, and “B”, which stand for the fraternal organization’s motto, FRIENDSHIP, … Continue reading →

Posted in Symbolism, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Eagles

Posted on November 12, 2015 by gravelyspeaking

Members of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, like many other society members, choose to be buried in common burial grounds.   Sometimes these burials are in separate graveyards and in other cases a portion of the cemetery is dedicated to the … Continue reading →

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A Carver’s Legacy, Take Two

Posted on November 10, 2015 by gravelyspeaking

Michael Shea of Rochester, New York read the gravelyspeaking blogpost about Ivan Adams—the Bloomington stone carver who carved the simple and elegant depiction of the Virgin Mary to mark his own grave. Mr. Shea has shared photos of a statue, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Straw Hats

Posted on November 8, 2015 by gravelyspeaking

KATIE DAU. OF P.M. & M. J. MOBLEY DIED OCT. 24, 1890 AGED 6Y. 5M. 9D. LITTLE AUSBORN M. & A. E. FINN. BORN JAN. 31, 87 DIED FEB. 13. 90. ZORA DAU OF J.C. & M. E. BENDER MAR. … Continue reading →

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Halloween Aftermath

Posted on November 5, 2015 by gravelyspeaking

The day after Halloween, jack o’ lanterns turned up in Rosehill Cemetery at Bloomington, Indiana.

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Take a seat

Posted on November 4, 2015 by gravelyspeaking

The rustic movement of the mid-nineteenth century was characterized by designs that were made to look like they were from the country. Elegant and slim curved lines in furniture gave way to bulkier and heavier forms made from pieces that … Continue reading →

Posted in Treestump gravestones, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

The Plow

Posted on November 1, 2015 by gravelyspeaking

  JAMES PATTERSON BORN OCT. 10, 1823, DIED JUNE 11, 1886 Gone but not forgotten JOHN PATTERSON DIED AUG. 13, 1873, AGED 76 YRS. 4 MOS. 9 DYS. SARAH, WIFE OF JOHN PATTERSON, DIED SEPT. 5, 1854, IN THE 46TH … Continue reading →

Posted in Zinc Markers | Leave a comment

Henry Ford’s Mort Safe

Posted on October 28, 2015 by gravelyspeaking

HENRY FORD JULY 30, 1863 APRIL 7, 1947 CLARA BRYANT FORD APRIL 11, 1866 SEPTEMBER 29, 1950 Next to a busy thoroughfare in Detroit, Motor City, lies the tiny and inconspicuous Ford Family Cemetery fittingly wedged between a 4-lane busy … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Sprig of Roses

Posted on October 22, 2015 by gravelyspeaking

  SOPHI, Consort of JAMES EDGAR: DIED July 17, 185o: Aged 27 years & 13 days. Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. Romantics have waxed poetic about the rose and the connection to love for … Continue reading →

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