Cemetery tour relives history of Council Grove's Early Citizens
By Frank J. Buchman - Special to the Gazette
Monday, November 14, 2011
It was as if the ghosts of several notable early Council Grove residents came to tell their story.
A passerby might have thought Halloween came a day early had they passed Greenwood Cemetery Sunday afternoon.
Iron gates of the native limestone fence wall built in 1871 were open.
Lynne Burns, executive director of the Morris County/Council Grove Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, greeted several dozen visitors from a wide area who came to hear about the historical community from those who had lived it.
Present-day local citizens, authentically clad in styles of their forefathers, were at tombstone-marked-gravesites and told about the lives of six town folks from the 1800s.
As portrayed by Christy Alexander, Susie Huffaker was the first White child born in Morris County. “I was born and lived at the Kaw Mission, but I drowned in the Neosho River at just 19, in an accident attempting to cross high water behind my home with Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Somers and P. B. Roberts, all who also drowned,” Huffaker related.
Annis Baker Sommers, with Shirley McClintock enacting, was first married to town Judge Baker, who was murdered by Bill Anderson and company. “I later married J.B. Sommers, and we both died in the same drowning accident with Susie Huffaker,” Sommers said.
Derrick Doty portrayed his distant relative B.R. Scott, a prominent builder and businessman in early Council Grove. “I was a Civil War veteran and active in many organizations including being an officer of the Farmers & Drovers Bank,” Scott stated.
Bobby Alexander told the life’s story of his great great grandfather A.G. Alexander, a prominent Morris County businessman. “I had major livestock and land holdings over a wide part of the county,” Alexander related.
Most famous Council Grove early-day citizen was Seth Hays, as portrayed by Kenneth McClintock.
Hays was the first White settler and trader with the Kaw Indians in the area. “I helped organize and settle the city of County Grove and also donated land for Greenwood Cemetery here where I’m buried,” Hays commented.
Most infamous Council Grove frontier community townsman was Jack McDowell, as perhaps also most-authentically-depicted by B.J. Bremer.
Confident that he is buried in an unmarked grave at the cemetery, McDowell described himself as a thief and murderer who rode with Quantrill. “I was hung by the hand of vigilante style justice,” said long-haired, bearded McDowell, while his 45-revolver remained holstered.
Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and the Morris County Historical Society, the cemetery tour, featuring the stories of those who rest there, was concluded by a grave stone rubbing experience, coordinated by the Community Arts Council.
Bryan Grove, retired Emporia Sate University art professor, instructed the group about the technique of grave stone rubbing.
The process is started with a piece of white paper placed on the grave stone, and then Grove rubbed a crayon or graphite over the lettering, which can be followed by a watercolor wash on top.
Made on the tombstones of the individuals portrayed during the tour, “the rubbings create a visual story of the history of Council Grove,” explained Grove, who detailed how the rubbings can be framed and displayed.
According to information provided by Burns and McClintock, in 1862, Col. Samuel N. Wood donated land to be used as a cemetery, located west of the original town site, about one block north of Main Street.
“Soon after, Seth Hays donated an additional tract just inside the city limits, adjacent to the Wood land,” McClintock explained.
First internment in the cemetery was in 1863, when Sarah Conn, wife of local merchant Malcolm Conn, was buried in the portion donated by Hays.
Prior to creation of Greenwood Cemetery, burials were said to have been made near the Kaw Mission on North Mission Street, although exact location of that graveyard is unknown.
“Remains of those interred near Kaw Mission were later moved to Greenwood Cemetery,” McClintock assured.
Early burials were made in an irregular fashion, until the Independent Order of Odd Fellows assumed operations of the cemetery in 1870. That lodge group turned the cemetery over to the city of Council Grove in 1917.
EmporiaRocks (anonymous) says...
And that, Emporia, is how it is done!
November 14, 2011 at 2 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tourguide (anonymous) says...
YES, That sounded like an educational , and fun event. Different than Emporia had planned. On a Sunday AFTERNOON, No flashlights, No noise makers. But with amateur actors in period costumes (nice touch). I didn't read of crowds / group of citizens wandering about. To bad the organizers in Emporia had to screw it up, how ever thats the Emporia way. BOOOO!
November 14, 2011 at 4:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Malique (anonymous) says...
tourguide,
A bunch of amateurs prancing around in costumes is NOT a "nice touch"! I find it insulting that they were allowed to mock the deceased in such a manner. I can't believe these people were allowed to parody the dead by dressing up in costumes and carrying props. (a 45-revolver is a pretty "spooky gadget") This is a level of disrespect unheard of before. I pray their zombie bones don't arise to seek revenge for these atrocities!
It's sad that a few old folks in Emporia didn't allow us to learn about history while some adults were allowed to dress-up and play pretend up in Council Grove. It's sad that a few superstitious, elderly Emporians are allowed to ruin this town.
November 14, 2011 at 5:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tourguide (anonymous) says...
Sorry if my post upset you. I thought this was better than an after dark parade between the graves with flashlights & noise makers. These people stood at the iron gates. They didn't "prance around". Each told a life story of the citizen, and how they died. It was organized by the Morris Co. Historic society. FREE. But if you would rather have another style party, Let's grab a sixer,park by the big Sauder rock,& use headlights to play hide & seek. HELL I GIVE UP....
November 14, 2011 at 7:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
tour, i thought the very same thing. he wants it both ways....
November 14, 2011 at 8:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
disgusted1 (anonymous) says...
I dont find it disrespectful one bit. I find it educational and I am very disappointed I missed it. What better way to learn how our forefathers lived than to see how they dressed and how a town came to be....You must not watch movies or enjoy renaissance faires or reenactments....If you do you are very hypocritical....I am also disappointed that Emporia didnt do their tour. I have always wanted to see a ghost tour like the ones they have in Gettysburg and Harpers Ferry and New Orleans...But while people like you keep preventing change in this town I am made to suffer at a dead end job paying higher taxes than those in the bigger cities so I can pay for your narrow mindedness(sp*) and can not pay for such visits....Get over yourself...
November 14, 2011 at 9:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Malique, shawnadwa, slivernblack,billy bob, Henry,CRACKINSACK,
Whoever you are today,
You are a dumb a$$ and you know it.
if you can't bring something real to the table, stay at home.
And you cant, so maybe you should shut the heck up.
Do you even have the $7.00 to pay for your fun night ?
Come out of the darkness, Malique, and tell us your name. If you feel this strongly about this issue, let's hear who you are.
HOW ABOUT YOU DONATE 14 DOLLARS TO THE REC CENTER OR HISTORICAL SOCIETY TODAY?
I DIDN'T THINK SO
You are just another one of these complainers on here, that likes to bitch and moan, but have no answers to problems,
geesh, you are a sad example of living tissue.
November 14, 2011 at 10:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
really !
November 14, 2011 at 10:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
O.K. maybe i am a little rough on poor old malique,
but really, if this is that big a deal to her/him, maybe if he/her donates a hundred dollars or so, they can have their tour next year. PROBLEM SOLVED !
November 14, 2011 at 10:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandman (anonymous) says...
Tourguide, like you, I am sorry I missed a bit of history concerning Council Grove. For you see, we have used actors for years, "Billy the Kid", in fact, how many films have we seen that depict a certain U.S. President (depends on time period). I don't believe there was anything distasteful but only EDUCATIONAL, pride in our various communities. It has been my understanding that Council Grove was the last stop for the pioneers going westward to purchase necessary items they would need on their long and dangerous trip across the OREGON TRAIL.Yes, lots of PRIDE in their community.
. With some thought and effort, Emporia could do much the same but on a larger scale. We not only have currently the people which could make it happen, but also many generations past would be reliving their story and therefore the story of Emporia..
November 14, 2011 at 10:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandman (anonymous) says...
No Steve, you said it quite nicely, THANK YOU!!!! Malique, do you even have anyone buired in that cematery? Do you know of any of its history? How was it placed there originally? I truly have my doubts. What is worse, you wish to have power over those of us who do wish to be informed.. Sad............
November 14, 2011 at 10:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Well stated, Steve. Thanks for saying what is on my mind.
Malique, give it a rest.
Great story about Council Grove's method of learning about their cemetery. I wish our people would have been as creative and sensible.
November 15, 2011 at 5:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tourguide (anonymous) says...
I apologize for the remark about the 6-pack party. And I certainly meant no disrespect to the Sauder Family about the rock comment, he just pi$$ed me off. SORRY
November 15, 2011 at 6:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
On a different note.
It sounds like a great concert was heard last night at the Granada. Because of the major sponsors help, The Emporia Arts Council made some serious cash last night, and everyone had a good time too boot.
Good Job All !
November 15, 2011 at 6:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tourguide (anonymous) says...
The Dirt Band does a great show, Iv'e know the boys since 2005 when they opened for the Eagles Tour.. Wished I could have been there. GOOD JOB EMPORIA Arts Council...Keep it up..
November 15, 2011 at 7:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Malique or whoever you are !!!! You are a " Crass " a$$ . Since the Council Grove Cemetery Tour apparently did not cost anything, the bottom line was genuinly " educational " in purpose and form.
Where as , the ERC effort was strictly monetary in purpose and form and would have had, in my opinion, very little " educational/learning " value !
Another difference was the fact that the Council Grove tour was organized and conducted by the Morris County/Council Grove Chamber of Commerce and Tourism . Not a Recreation Commission, just for the sake of making a buck .
Now, if the Lyon County/Emporia Chamber of Commerce/Convention & Tourism wanted to conduct a free, Daylite, educational tour of the surrounding Empoira Cemeteries or Historical sites in and around Emporia . I would have no objections to that at all ! What better way to promote Emporia, than a " Free " educational/learning tour of Emporia and it's history/historical sites and promote the local merchants/businesses ? After all those " Tourists " that come for the tour, will have to eat, fuel their cars and possibly grab a drink, etc..
And by all means, keep the RDA out of the equation, unless you want to " muck up " a good idea !
FYI, I am an old person and I will embrace change, as long as it is done properly, the right way, without undue, excessive/uneeded, extra expense/cost to me and other Emporia taxpayers !
By the way Malique or whatever you are calling yourself these days, if you are lucky enough, you will also become an old person, someday !
JMO
November 15, 2011 at 8:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Malique (anonymous) says...
Easy there, friends! I'm glad so many of you found my post outrageous; that was my intent. Somehow, people thought the Council Grove tour was acceptable, yet ours was not. Personally, I don't see any problem with either of the events. My post was intended to illustrate that people can take offense of anything these days. Those opposed to the Emporia tour latched on to the time of the tour and "gadgets" provided, so I did the same for the details of this tour. You see? Anyone can gripe about anything, but it doesn't mean we should listen to them. (me included) All I ask is that we don't let a few crybabies ruin our fun.
Have a great day!
November 15, 2011 at 8:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Glitterbird (anonymous) says...
I think it's a grand idea reguardless of day or night, free or fee. I find cemeteries endlessly fanscinating. I have gone on tours in Gettysburg no one on the tour was disrespectful. The groups were small enough that it could be well supervised. I hope they are able to do a tour in Emporia learn some of the stories of our past citizens, everyone has a story. Not just the famous people.
November 15, 2011 at 9:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
93shocarguy (anonymous) says...
This is somewhat off the subject, but I didn't know where else to start and speaking of history...
I thought the Broadview Towers was on the National Register of Historic Places, and if it's not, are the Lowther buildings? Reason for my question is, who/what is allowing the glorified car ports to be built over the old parking lot and old Broadview 66 gas station. They look like crap and do not fit in with ANY of the area around it. I don't recall anything mentioned about putting up covered parking for the residents, just that a parking lot was going to be made. I'm all for progress, but ...
Again sorry for posting this here, if someone can direct me to another place to post it, I will gladly move it.
November 15, 2011 at 2:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Malique (anonymous) says...
93shocaguy,
Why do you want everything to look old? I suppose you think the residents should all drive 1950's cars if they're going to park them in that lots because the new ones don't look old enough...
The rules on these "historical" districts are killing our town's progress! If you want downtown to prosper, let people build modern!
November 15, 2011 at 3:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sail (anonymous) says...
oh "m" , if my idea of fun is the same as yours its just just peachy, but if my thoughts dont match up to your standards of gaiety, then its your way or the highway......dont think so pilgram.....
November 15, 2011 at 3:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hogan77 (anonymous) says...
This is how it is done where I live. Period dress actors giving a play by play of the history of our county and the people that helped found it. The stories of their lives and their death are particularly interesting.
Afterward everyone is invited to a spaghetti feed, where, for a free will donation you get a heaping plate of spaghetti made by good-hearted Christian women, some salad and warm french bread. All donations go to the cemetery board, and they use the funds to help ease the burden of the restoration of the veterans memorial that sits in the middle of the largest cemetery in the county.
November 15, 2011 at 3:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hogan77 (anonymous) says...
Malique...
your comments are about the most asinine I have seen posted on this site, besides ole' KB's conspiracy theory posts of course. But they are in the top running with his... be careful how you word things or you may be the next EG "loon"
November 15, 2011 at 3:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mike_nelson82 (anonymous) says...
I've actually given a cemetery tour when I was a student at Coffeyville Community College. I was a member of Phi Theta Kappa, an honor society for students, and was asked to volunteer to do a Halloween tour of a cemetery. I, along with other members, took on the role of someone in the cemetery. I was not paid for this event, and simply wanted to have a fun night while entertaining and informing people about the residents of the cemetery. While I was the teacher/actor at the event, I became a student when researching the stories behind those in the cemetery. Yes, the event was made to be somewhat spooky, with it being night, and various candles lit throughout the cemetery, but I found the event not to be distasteful. While at face value Emporia deciding against a similar event seems inconsequential, I think it speaks volumes about the underlying issue with Emporia and the college students deciding to attend another college/town.
I must preface this by saying that I loved my seven years in Emporia, and only on a few occasions felt like my safety might be in danger. I now live in Wichita, and hearing gun fire and having someone murdered here is not a rare occurrence. With that said, for most students, I know this because I taught and interacted with well over 200, felt that Emporia was boring. I’m not saying that one must have danger for one to have fun, but Emporia lacks even the inkling of danger, which one day hoping to raise a family Emporia would be the perfect setting, but most students come to Emporia to explore/experience things outside of family.
November 15, 2011 at 9:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
93shocarguy (anonymous) says...
Malique - you have definitly sparked some comments and got people thinking. I wasn't complaining about the progress, my complaint is that the carports they are putting up look VERY out of place in the neighborhood. At this point, they tie in with NOTHING around them and I thought they were restoring the Broadview to be historically correct from the outside. Car ports don't look very historic. I am not against progress at all. I LOVE what Mallon and his group are doing with the old Lowther building in the same area. They have already really dressed it up considerably.
November 16, 2011 at 11:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
93shocarguy,
Give it a chance. maybe when completed, those carports will look like old fashioned grape arbours or something. Who knows?
November 16, 2011 at 8:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Can we grow wild Kansas grapes on those carports?
It's for the birds.
Really.
The cars parked downtown would receive some purple tinted whitewash.
November 17, 2011 at 6:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
create,
A little purple bird poop doesn't hurt ;>)
I'm thinking these carports might not be as bad as 93shocarguy thinks they will be. I haven't seen the design sketches but they seem to keep adding more and more to the structures each day.
I don't think they will be anything like the ones at 4 seasons apartments or Greenbriar.
In my opinion, (for what it's worth), anything will look better than what WAS there.
November 17, 2011 at 7:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tourguide (anonymous) says...
I am not that familiar with the residence of Broadview Towers. I thought the majority there were elders or handicapped persons? Is their a need for that many automobile parking places? Nothing against them protecting their cars, just wondering. And like Steve C. said , any down town improvement should be welcomed. Maybe the new parking is not for Broadview, but for the expanded class at the Adult Ed. building? You can't build everything downtown to look goth. The new building in 1100 block of Comm.st. is not. And Thanks to John & Fred & crew for cleaning up the old school. It needed it...
November 17, 2011 at 7:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )