Final Resting Places for Those Passing Through

Subject: Final Resting Places for Those Passing Through Fri 01 Jun 2007, 9:33 pm

Prior to the expansions of the railroads and the advent of the automobile, family members and even strangers not uncommonly (I suspect) were given burial in plots far removed from their places of residence or origin. Folks were known to open their family cemeteries to individuals with whom they had never spoken in this life, as an act of charity. Such is a possibility to be kept in mind by those of us who research our family histories; should the member of a mobile family unit seem to disappear -- burial place unknown.

Two of the cemeteries which are believed to have opened their gates to strangers are in Collin County. The first -- the Routh Cemetery in the southeastern corner -- was sometimes referred to as the 'Stagecoach Cemetery,' during the old days, as Jacob Routh's home served as a station on the Sawyer and Fisher line .... which extended from Bonham, through McKinney, and to Dallas.* Tradition relates that several individuals who were buried in this still-tranquil setting were passengers who had been traveling on the stagecoach. Similarly, the Ware family said is to have offered a space in their small cemetery -- located near the community of Rhea Mills in northwestern Collin County -- to at least one person: a drover who found his final reward while guiding cattle along the Shawnee Trail.*

Other examples may be found. The story of Immigrant Cemetery in Coke County can be read on this page:
http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/tx/coke/cemetery/immigrant.txt?o_xid=9872&o_lid=9872&offerid=0%3a694%3a0 ; little Spring Creek Cemetery in Cooke County has its 'Stranger's Row;'* and beautiful Oakwood Cemetery in Huntsville (Walker County) -- burial place of Gen. Sam Houston -- traces its earliest grave to that of Mrs. Lucy Cabiness, who in 1846, had been traveling with her family in hopes of a destination further west.*

The stories are sad, but at the same time, comforting. Let us follow in the tradition of hallowing and protecting the places of rest wherein lie our predecessors, be they our kindred or strangers far removed.

Sincerely,

Holly

*Sources drawn from: 'History of Richardson' (Braithwaite); 'Collin County: Pioneering in North Texas' (Hall); 'Cooke County: Past and Present;' 'Walker County History'

This short article in an online excerpt of Les Crocker's, 'Tarrant County Historical Journal,' tells of a burial place which still is looked after, though the identity and origins of the young one buried there have been lost to time. The grave is located in the community of Sipe Springs, which I hadn't known of before.

Just scroll about 3/4 of the way down the page to find the article.

http://www.tchj.com/edition08.html
_________________
The woman of the frontier made the best of her situation, for she had developed a respect for the land that gave her freedom as well as the courage to live in it.
~~~ from the perspective of Anne Seagraves

That's good she wasn't forgotten but the decorations look sort of unusual. Are those little steps her gravestone ?

Love, Mari

Yes, the decoration seems unusual to me too, Mari, though it is a good thing that this little girl's grave is so remembered. I'm uncertain of the origins or meanings of the stone, but check the links under the posting for 'Sipe Springs.'

Thanks, lady Smile

Holly
_________________
The woman of the frontier made the best of her situation, for she had developed a respect for the land that gave her freedom as well as the courage to live in it.
~~~ from the perspective of Anne Seagraves