Why I am here

This blog was started to connect with and keep family and friends up to date on life in Texas as I know it. A place to share my love for this area through photography, history, and stories of this adventure Shaun and I call life.... and what an adventure it is!
Warning: Some or all of this blog may contain nuts or stories of nuts, proceed with caution
Love to y'all

Sunday, April 1, 2012

The Spirits of Oakwood

Saturday was the annual Spirits of Oakwood ghost walk. I must say that the response you get when you mention you are going on a ghost walk around a cemetery can be pretty interesting. From looks of disgust and shock to responses like "cool", "why?" "seriously?" and my all time favorite..."that's just not right". Ha!

NOW Before you think of having me committed, let me explain what a ghost walk is. At the Oakwood Cemetery in Tyler, TX it is held by the Oakwood Cemetery Restoration Society. The society has many members of The United Daughters of the Confederacy, very cool. They do this to educate and share this important piece of history and to raise money and awareness of these historical treasures. They use any money raised to help preserve/repair/replace damaged headstones and care for this historical cemetery.
As you walk to a certain headstone you are met by the "spirit" of someone representing or of the person buried there, (a member of the historical society dressed in period clothing, who will tell you their story). It is an amazing way to learn about the history of the area, a history lovers dream. I would like to share a few of their stories. I have also included some pictures (surprise) in both color and sepia tones. Mostly because I think sepia is a beautiful way to experience what it might have looked like then.
I hope you enjoy the ghost walk as much as I did.


Oakwood Cemetery is the oldest cemetery in Tyler. Established in 1846
During the War Between the States (Civil War) 30,000 soldiers trained near Tyler. A Confederate marker was erected to the memory of the 231 unknown Confederate soldiers buried in Oakwood who died from measles, pneumonia, and other diseases. This is that plot and the "spirit" of one of their commanding officers who shared the story of their sacrifice.


The Soldiers Plot ....now and then


Dicy Ann Yarbrough 1890 ~~ The clasped hands on her headstone means "welcome home" you see this carving on several soldiers stones


This is the "spirit" of Kate Stone, her family had to flee Brokenburn plantattion in Louisiana during the War Between the States (Civil War). She is speaking of her friend Dr Carson who is buried at her feet. Dr Carson and his family gave her family shelter during the unrest.


This is one of my favorite "spirits" by far. He is the commanding officer of Thomas Jordan Epperson, 19 years old whose body was the first CSA (Confederate States Army) soldier to be buried in Oakwood, and is speaking on his behalf.


.......and then


If you look closely you can see that the headstone has been restored and set in a new base. This gentlemen reminded us of the sacrifice this young man made for freedom and what he believed in. How he was someone's son, grandson, brother, something we often forget when looking at a name on a veterans headstone in any cemetery.
After listening to this Vietnam Veteran speak of the sacrifice of this young soldier with such respect and compassion I was reminded of all of our service men and women who have and are still making that sacrifice. What we owe them and what a large part of our history they will be. Reminded that they are someone's son or daughter, sister or brother, someone loves and misses them every day.

What will people see and say over our graves 150 years from now? Will they feel a sense of pride in their ancestors (us)? Will we have made a mark on the world we lived in? Will we have made a difference in someone's life?
There is always time to change the future. Think about it....make a difference today.

Love to all of you
Jeanne



using BlogPress from Jeanne's iPad

No comments:

Post a Comment