Making History

There is no greater joy for an historian than finding a diary, heretofore unread, written by someone who lived through momentous events -- the battle at Gettysbury, the burning of Et-lanta, Stoneman's Raid. There is no greater woe than to reach those dates only to find the diary entries scant or missing entirely. Why? Because there was no time to write. So much was happening so quickly, there was no time to document it all. By the time the writer got back to keeping a journal, there was no point in recording what had happened days or weeks earlier.

That's where I find myself, Dear Reader. In preparing for the upcoming nuptials and remodeling a house, I haven't even had time to do my nails much less write about the momentous goings-on of present day or days gone by. I wanted to write about the passing of that great American Fess Parker, and I am not being facetious when I say that. Here was a man, idolized by millions of children, who recognized that and lived in such a way that he would not tarnish the names of Daniel Boone or Davy Crockett, the men he so wonderfully portrayed. I would so like to have known him. Tom Perry did a very nice tribute on his Free State of Patrick blog so check that out. I wanted to write about the discovery in Tombstone of the coroner's reports following the shootout at the OK Corral (These should be online shortly if not sooner). Alas, no time.

I so look forward to a home and an office where real work can be done. . . . Alas! Life gets in the way!

Top photo: My granddaughter, Lulu, who will be my maiden of honor at said nuptials. . . . Baby blue, white and silver will be our colors. . . . Cotton candy all around!

Mary Washington College

I have spent the last hour on the phone with someone I haven't seen since the summer of 1975. Heather Palmer and I attended Governor's School for the Gifted and Talented at Mary Washington College, Fredericksburg, Virginia. (Don't laugh!!! It's a big deal!!!!) She was encouraging a friend's child to apply and googled our year--1975--to find others willing to offer testimonials. I was blown away to hear from her, especially when I discovered that she, too, is an historian of the 19th century. We promised to keep in touch, exchange books, and to visit each other this fall. She has a book coming out in November and we're speaking in Boston and Providence in October. Hopefully, we can make our paths cross again.

Above, the entry to Mary Ball Hall where Heather and I spent that magnolia-scented summer. My roomie, Lisa Hardy, would sneak down with me and "decorate" the lovely marble statue of the grandmother of our country. Heather did not have, as I recall, such evil inclinations.

What wonderful memories.

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Ararat

I called home and my uncle, Charles, was down at the Willis Gap Community Center listening to the weekly jam session. It made me homesick. Which reminds me. . . if you haven't looked at the Free State of Patrick lately, Tom Perry has some great stuff. Link to the right.

Smoking Hot Jeb

My, but May was a tough month in the Confederacy. As I wrote on yesterday's blog, Stonewall Jackson passed away May 10, 1863; Jefferson Davis was captured May 10, 1865; William Clarke Quantrill was captured and wounded May 10, 1865. It just gets worse. On this day in 1864, Cavalry Commander J. E. B. Stuart was mortally wounded at Yellow Tavern, near Richmond, Virginia. He would die the next day.

The colorful Cavalier was a main character in Kirke Mechem's opera, John Brown, which I had the pleasure of attending with friends this week. I instantly recognized Jeb with his plumed hat and yellow sash, though I'm not sure that's what he would have been wearing while serving in the federal army in Territorial Kansas. What I did not recognize was the cigarette he smoked.

A cigarette??

We had just re-watched Ron Maxwell's Gods and Generals (I know, I know, but it has some great scenes!) Have I said how much I despise the portrayal, or perhaps the direction, of J. E. B. Stuart? Anyhow, in the movie when he meets General Jackson, Old Jack asked Jeb if he used tobacco and Jeb replied, "no, not in any form." My expert and Jeb biographer, Tom Perry, thinks this was based on a conversation the two had concerning alcohol, not tobacco. Even so, Tom said he had found a couple of references to Jeb's enjoying a pipe now and then, but certainly never a cigarette, and there was no indication of regular use of tobacco "in any form."

A cigarette is just about a total anachronism in the 1850s. Tobacco was primarily chewed or smoked in pipes, which were much more common than is portrayed in film. Likewise, cigars were gaining in popularity.

So why did Kirke Mechem have Jeb smoking? Literary license, I guess. In the opera, Jeb's character stood in for all things Southern, a "self-appointed Cavalier" in contrast to Brown's "Puritanical" and "Cromwellian" roots. Perhaps it was as if slavery wasn't enough, but it was necessary also to portray the sin of raising tobacco. I don't know.

I thought the opera was wonderful, though. John Brown's life lends itself to such dramatic portrayal. The music was incredible; the staging was just nearly perfect. The history, well, this is drama, not documentary, if only people can remind themselves of the difference.

I just wish Jeb could lose the cigarette.
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Icy's Scrapbooks

Icy Bowman Brown was my Grandpa's cousin, and she and her husband, Sug, owned Laurel Hill where Jeb Stuart was born. Icy reveled in the history of her home, and saved every newspaper clipping, photograph, event program--anything related to the history of this site. When I was a kid, I would go over and go through her scrapbooks with her. She even let me take them home one time! I still can't believe that. I was 15 and writing a regular column for The Enterprise in Stuart. Icy's scrapbooks were the first historic documents I ever used.

Tom Perry tells me he is concerned that they are not being properly cared for and suggested to the Patrick County Historical Society that they go to Virginia Tech with the other papers Tom donated. I think that's a great idea. It's difficult for local history groups to preserve items properly. Think of this when you're making your will or donating items. Who has the ability to care for your items and who will make it available to future researchers?

Here's a photo of Icy and her son, Bowman Brown. What a beautiful image. She had a tremendous heart, and such class. Read more on Tom's blog at the freestateofpatrick.com.

Forward, Lads!

No matter how much Andy Waski, left, and John Sirlin, right, urge them on, the Yankees still can't whoop Stonewall!

"At Pennsylvania's Neshaminy Park, we recreated 'Actions at Chancellorsville, VA,' May 3, 1863, as a 145th Anniversary event. We were portraying units of the 3rd Division, II Corps," said Andy. This was the 19th Annual Civil War History Reenactment, held on April 26-27.

They look so nice in their blue uniforms. It's a shame they lost :)
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Clinton in Mount Airy

I was not able to attend Bill Clinton's speech at the Mount Airy Middle School (left, compliments The Surry Messenger) a few days ago (and I don't think Freddy got his sign ready in time), but my on-the-spot reporter, Tom Perry, was there in my stead.

"We did not wait for hours to see Clinton," reported Tom, "and we were some of the last to get into what I estimated was a crowd of about 600, not thousands as the media reported." Read the rest of Tom's account at: http://freestateofpatrick.com/blog/2008/05/02/sox-for-president/

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A Sad Story From Home

Pfc. Adam Marion (right) was laid to rest in Surry County, North Carolina, today. He was killed in Iraq a few days ago. Our prayers are with his family. He was a beautiful boy.

From Angela Schmoll in The Surry Messenger:

DOBSON — Jack and Tanna Wermes had never met Adam Marion, yet they stood with dozens of other people along the route that lined his return to Surry County Saturday morning.

Pfc. Marion, 26, of Turner Mountain Road, Mount Airy, died last Monday while serving with the Army National Guard in Iraq.

“We just got through grocery shopping,” said Tanna Wermes. “We didn’t know he was coming home today, but we saw all the fire trucks at the intersections and I thought, ‘It could be that boy that died.’ When we found out it was, we decided to wait.”

The Surry County Sheriff’s Office escorted Marion’s parents, Donnie and Pam Marion, to Greensboro early Saturday to meet the plane bringing their son home. There they were met by Guilford County deputies and joined by representatives of the other Surry County law enforcement agencies and the Patriot Guard Riders motorcycle group, which rides with U.S. flags and yellow banners.

“Every jurisdiction we passed through they had blocked exits and some traveled with us for awhile,” Sheriff Graham Atkinson, who drove one of the escort vehicles, said Sunday. “We saw the first people waiting for him on I-40 behind the concrete barrier. All along the way there were people pulled over and standing outside their cars, some were spontaneous and some had obviously been waiting.”

The numbers increased after the procession reached U.S. 52 and intensified more when the vehicles reached Surry County. “They were on the overpasses with flags, standing with their hands over their hearts, and a group of veterans saluting at the [Pilot Mountain] state park exit,” he said.

The numbers grew as the group neared Mount Airy. Every intersection was blocked with an emergency vehicle or personnel, and some joined the procession as it traveled across the county.“I think all the businesses on 601 [in Mount Airy] must have shut their doors,” Atkinson said. “There were employees and people lining the street.”

Where the procession exited U.S. 601 at E. Atkins Street, small flags lined the side of the road near Lowes where Marion worked as a teenager. Residents from across the county, including Lowes’ employees, stood among the flags. Deputy clerks, who work with his mother, who is clerk of Superior Court, held a large yellow sign that read, “We love you Adam.”

“I remember that red hair and that smile,” said Laura Wright, who worked with Marion and recalled him with a smile. “He had the greatest personality and never met a stranger. My heart goes out to his sister, his mom and dad and his niece and nephew. I’m keeping them in my prayers. I wish they would send all the soldiers home.”

C.J. Karcanes, who waited with his motorcycle adorned with flags at the top of the exit ramp, said he felt Marion needed to be honored with more than people showing up. He’d been waiting more than an hour for the procession to arrive. “He’s a fallen hero and he deserves every bit of recognition we can give him,” he said. “I wish there could have been a parade with a brass band and him coming home alive.”

The groups of residents lined the route all the way to Moody-Davis Funeral Home on Kapp Street, where emergency and military personnel formed a double line. Marion’s family received friends Sunday evening at Piney Grove Baptist Church with hundreds of people turning out to pay their respects.

The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to The Children’s Center of Surry, P.O. Box 692. Dobson, N.C. 27017. Online condolences may be made at www.moodyfuneralservices.com.



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Post Script

Of course, though Chancellorsville was a Confederate victory, General Thomas J. Jackson was mortally wounded. On this day in 1863, he lay dying. On May 10, he would utter his last immortal words, "Let us cross over the river and rest in the shade of the trees."

Amen.

Southerners and Others

Talked to my "brother" Dave Chuber on the phone last night. Dave is the historian at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and is originally from Statesville, North Carolina. Short and full of it --and speaking with the same accent--folks just assume he's my brother. Close enough.

Dave just led a staff ride for his non-commissioned officers to the battlefield at Centralia, Missouri. Sadly, the guerrilla war in Kansas and Missouri during America's Civil War is starkly relevant to today's soldiers.

For an account of the battle, click here http://centralia.missouri.org/massacre/index.shtml. A very young Jesse James, left, was said to have taken part in the battle and personally killed the Yankee commander. It is difficult to confirm, however, and Jesse had been wounded a couple of weeks prior and might not have been able to take part.

Dave passed out copies of draconian orders issued by America's government in the 1860s, orders designed to quell the growing rebellion but which had exactly the opposite effect. As his men read these documents and considered what their own reactions would have been, the light bulbs went on.

"They got it," Dave said. "They also got it that we have to be careful in the Middle East with the way we treat civilians so that we don't push them into the arms of the insurgents."

Studying history has become not only interesting, but crucial.
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Jeb Stuart Birthplace

Our friend Tom Perry is on a tear over the conditions and management of the Jeb Stuart Birthplace back home in Patrick County, Virginia, an entity he created then stepped away from in the hopes other folks would carry on his work. It has not transpired the way he had hoped. Tom believes it would be best if the state or some other public entity took over the site. I side with him on this issue, and this hallowed ground is too important for hagling and neglecting. We need action. Check in at the www.freestateofpatrick.com and share your thoughts and ideas.

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Salute, Marmaduke!

Celebrating a birthday this week was John Sappington Marmaduke, right. His name is so unforgettable and so, so Southern!!! Born in Missouri on March 14, 1833, Marmaduke attended Yale, Harvard, and graduated from West Point. He would rise to the rank of major general in the Confederate Army and die in 1887 while serving as governor of the "Show Me State." Ain't he something? Born today in 1767 was another famous Southerner, General and President Andrew Jackson, left. Ain't they a pair? Born on March 16, 1822, was Union General John Pope. One of my favorite quotes of the Civil War was said by Robert E. Lee in reference to the Yankee general: "Pope, the miscreant! He must be suppressed!"

Free State of Patrick

Big news from Patrick County, Virginia. The Jeb Stuart Birthplace was recently vandalized by fire, and lots of important folks are taking it personally--including me. Our friend Tom Perry was instrumental in saving and preserving Jeb's boyhood home. Read his thoughts at http://freestateofpatrick.com/blog/2008/02/10/i-take-it-personally/ . Also, Tom sadly reported the death of Libba Robertson, wife of Stonewall Jackson biographer, Bud Robertson. Libba was a pistol. She was vivacious and gracious and precious. She was Bud's heart and inspiration and our prayers are with him. Libba died on the birthday of Jeb Stuart, and those of us who were fans of hers and Jeb's find comfort in this fact.

On another interesting blognote, Eric Wittenberg celebrated Jeb's birthday in style in Richmond, Virginia. Read his account along with some great photos at http://civilwarcavalry.com/?p=682. As I commented, I am sooo jealous!!!

Now, gentle reader, I am off to "jine the cavalry!"

News North and South, East and West

According to the Evansville, Indiana, Courier Press, an ornament honoring the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial in Lincoln City is prominently displayed on this year's official White House Christmas tree.

The tree, part of an overall decorative theme recognizing National Parks, is located in the Blue Room and is adorned with handmade ornaments representing each of the country's 391 National Park Service sits.

The Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial ornament was designed and painted by Rockport artist Thomas Kennedy. It features four vignettes: the Lincoln cabin, the Indiana sculpture from the Memorial Building, the tombstone from Nancy Hanks Lincoln's grave and a youthful Abraham Lincoln. - Gavin Lesnick

What a fitting place to memorialize. Some of the best memories Tom and I have were made in this part of Indiana. I hope they duplicate this ornament, so that one can adorn a Collins Park Christmas tree as well.

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Congressman Virgil Goode
to Receive Stephen Dill Lee Award

Christopher M. Sullivan, Sons of Confederate Veterans Commander-in-Chief, will present the Stephen Dill Lee Award to Congressman Virgil Goode at a ceremony Wednesday. Congressman Goode (which rhymes with mood) represents the 5th District of Virginia in the U. S. Congress. (This includes the Southside of Virginia to Charlottesville.) He served in the Virginia Senate beginning at the age of 27 as a Democrat. He later became an Independent, and ultimately in 2002, a Republican Congressman. Goode (right) is a member of the Liberty Caucus which meets each Thursday while in session and is hosted by Congressman Ron Paul. Goode will speak at the Rosslyn banquet honoring him on his favorite subject, Robert E. Lee. The event is the annual Christmas party for the camp and their guests. It will be held on Wednesday, December 5th at the Holiday Inn, Key Bridge, in Rosslyn, VA, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. Tickets for the banquet and program are $27. All members and friends of the SCV and Congressman Goode are cordially invited to attend.

Wish I could do this one! Virgil Goode was our state senator when I was in high school, and was a good, patient man. He is an exceptional politician, and I am so proud that he represents my home. While my name was Debra Hiebert, I wrote a column for our hometown paper, The Enterprise, and when I wrote about Congressman Goode, he sent me the most gracious letter in response. I hope when we get back to Washington we can pay him a visit.

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Email

. . . From Tom Perry, Ararat, VA

Forgive me, for I have blogged. I have started a new blog and added you to the links on it. If you know of any Patrick County or regional blogs that might enhance the links please let me know.
www.freestateofpatrick.com/blog

DG-The blog is great, Tom, and glad to be included on the links. Check it out, folks, and tell Tom that Deb sent you.

. . . From my Sister, Pine Ridge, NC

Counseling, Southern Style. . . .


Earl and Bubba are quietly sitting in a boat fishing, chewing and Drinking beer when suddenly Bubba says, "I think I'm gonna Divorce my wife - she ain't spoke to me in over 2 months." Earl spits, sips his beer and says, "Better think it over - - - - - Women like that are hard to find."

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PS--The new issue of Cowboys and Indians will be on the newsstand shortly, and watch for an article on Bloody Bill Anderson written by our bud, Fred Chiaventone.

Leslie's Philosophy

While browsing the internet I came across the website for a high school friend, Leslie Shelor. Leslie is a weaver and has a shop in Meadows of Dan, Virginia, at the top of Squirrel Spur. For the uninitiated, Squirrel Spur is about the crookedest mountain road I've ever been on. Once, we were on a school bus headed up the mountain to the Dan River Queen Riverboat and the bus had to stop while a dumptruck backed up to let us by. The scenery is spectacular. Anyhow, Leslie has her shop, The Greenberry House (above), where she sells original creations from the yarn she spins with the cooperation of her pet Angora rabbits. Leslie and I traded correspondence. As usual, all roads lead to Tom Perry:

Tom Perry's new book is out and it is terrific. I have copies here at the store and he's supposed to do a book signing here December 8. If he can sit still long enough!

So, dear readers, here is the golden opportunity to drive up Squirrel Spur, visit with Leslie and sample her wares, and get your autographed copy of Patrick County by Thomas David Perry. From Arcadia Publishing's website:

Book Description: Formed in 1790, Patrick County is named for the Commonwealth of Virginia’s first governor, Patrick Henry, who lived in neighboring Henry County. Located along the border of North Carolina where the Blue Ridge Mountains of the Appalachian Range cross the state line, the “Free State of Patrick” is half Piedmont and half mountain plateau. This dividing geographic feature is reflected in the mountain people of Scots-Irish and German descent along with English living below the mountain heights. This divergent population produced tobacco magnate R. J. Reynolds; Civil War general J. E. B. Stuart; Virginia governor Gerald Baliles; Virginia’s highest-elected female, former attorney general Mary Sue Terry; and World Series pitcher Brad Clontz.

Ain't we something!

Tom produces a monthly e-mail newsletter about regional history from his Web site, http://www.freestateofpatrick.com/ Here you can order this title or one of his many others if you're unable to make it up Squirrel Spur. The cover of this book features a vintage photo of Allen Culler, father of Benton Culler. Isn't it a smashing picture? Tom is in Philadelphia on a talking tour right now. The Civil War world is small and incestuous.
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The Dark Side of Mayberry

For years, I covered court in Dobson, North Carolina, reporting for the Mount Airy News. (Dobson is the county seat of Surry County.) I still go online to read the paper, where my high school bud and former editor, Tom Joyce, still labors in the journalistic vineyard. I couldn't help but laugh at this story:

Brother charged in shooting

Published: Friday, November 2, 2007 11:27 PM CDT
Staff Report

A felony assault charge has been filed against a Mount Airy man who allegedly shot his brother in the back. Richard Lee Thomas, 48, of 628 E. Haymore St., is accused of assault with a deadly weapon, inflicting serious injury, in connection with the Wednesday afternoon incident. Thomas spent Wednesday night in the Surry County Jail before being released Thursday afternoon on a $25,000 secured bond.

Thomas allegedly shot his brother, William Burley Thomas, 46, of the same address, about 5:30 p.m. Wednesday after a heated argument at their home, according to the Mount Airy Police Department. At last report, the victim, who was wounded with a .22-caliber pistol, was in good condition at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem.

The brothers had been arguing and the situation escalated into violence, police said. At one point, William Thomas allegedly pulled out a gun and fired shots at Richard Thomas inside their house, said Lt. Detective Bill Bunker. That prompted the older brother to get a gun and shoot at his sibling, who was hit in the back. The pair has a long history of fighting between themselves, dating to the early 1980s, according to local authorities. Mostly, the altercations have been limited to fist fights, wrestling and hitting each other with brooms, they say, with Wednesday's shooting representing the first time that either of the two has been seriously hurt. In addition to residing in the same house with their mother, both brothers are employed by a local recapping business, according to police records.

The elder Thomas faces a Dec. 14 appearance in Surry District Court.

I think they're my cousins. Check out the news yourself at mtairynews.com.

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Email

Deb-
Just catching up on your blog (I've been away in smoky San Diego) and noticed your mention of Paul Tibbets. I live near the Wendover Airfield where Tibbets and his crew planned and trained for the atomic bomb drops. It's an amazing place. Most of the structures remain intact and largely untouched. There are buildings that still have shelves full of some kind of literature, wall hangings, and furniture original to the base- just sitting there just as the men left it when the base was abandoned. In some of the hangars and offices, it looks as if Col. Tibbets and his crew could come back, sit at their old table, grab their training materials, and resume their conversation where they left off in 1944. I was at the base recently and I snapped a whole bunch of pictures, which include much of the still-standing structures as well as the bomb pits. If you're interested, I'll upload them to a web album and send you the link.

Pretty. dang. interesting.
Clint Thomsenwww.bonnevillemariner.com

DG--Clint, that is fascinating. Yes, please send the link and I'll share it.

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Mrs. Virginia Senator

On this day in 1982, Elizabeth Taylor divorced John Warner (Her 7th divorce). Virginians loved having her as part of their history. A friend of mine, a dear and gracious lady, hosted the Warners at her Marion, Virginia, home and commented to me on how much she enjoyed Elizabeth's visit, and though Miz Taylor had been married these many times, at least the moviestar was not living in sin like so many of her contemporaries.


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Leslie's Philosophy

Knowing Leslie, I was not surprised to read her blog and find this guiding principle there. Visit her site, At the Top of Squirrel Spur,http://greenberry.blogspot.com/, and enjoy the beautiful photographs there. In the meantime, reflect on this eloquent philosophy:

"To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly; to listen to the stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart; to bear on cheerfully, do all bravely, awaiting occasions, worry never; in a word to, like the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common."--William Henry Channing

Busy, Busy

I had two school buses full of 7th Graders from Shawnee Heights at the Topeka Cemetery yesterday (and tours today at 10 and 2). Then, Noel and I built our own cemetery on the lawn and placed headless ghouls on the porch. I haven't had the time to download the photos from our trip, which I'm anxious to share with you, or to write about some of the interesting discoveries. Later today, I promise.

In the meantime, check out the Life of Tug link at right. It's a great blog, and Byron does several others which are worth looking at. Just below that link, you'll find the link to Old West/New West Ezine. Michelle Martin is working on a new website that looks great and is in the middle of promoting The Natural Prairie Table Cookbook that she co-wrote with her boss, Bill Kurtis. Look it up on Amazon. Tom Perry has a new book with Arcadia that is available so visit the Free State of Patrick link for details. That will keep you busy til I get back. . . .

(Top photo: fog from Lovers Leap Mountain, Patrick County, Virginia, The Enterprise)

Pretty People

This is the best looking man I've seen in a long time. Too bad he's dead. (Ain't that always the case?)
William Alexander Stuart was the older brother of our hometown hero, Gen. J. E. B. Stuart. He moved to Saltville, Virginia, before the war and became rich from the saltworks and land investments. After the war, he took care Jeb's family and just about everyone else it seems.

I have always thought Jeb handsome. We had a photo of him hanging in our office and my friend, Karen, also a Patrick Countian but hailing from Woolwine rather than Ararat, thought the picture was John Travolta in some movie role. Yes! He was that impressive! But he pales in comparison to his older sibling.

When our friend and Jeb chronicler, Tom Perry, was here last week, this image was in the slide show he presented. He forwarded me a copy so I can drool in private.

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Mayberry Days Update

Thelma Lou came to Mount Airy, North Carolina, last weekend to join in the town's celebration. In the AP photo at right, the 81-year-old Betty Lynn poses with the statue of Andy and Opie at the Surry Arts Council. There is a wonderful interview, discussing her feelings about the show and Mount Airy, at this link:
http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/TV/10/02/backtomayberry.ap/ ____________________________
Free State of Patrick

Tom Perry works very hard to share the history of our fair homeplace. Recently, he added a page on the soldiers from Patrick County killed in Viet Nam. One of those was my cousin, Roger Dale Bowman (left).

Roger Dale was only 21 years old when he was killed in August, 1968. I was 10. He was an only child and he and his parents lived with his widowed grandmother, Aunt Venie. I loved Aunt Venie. Granny and I would walk through the woods to her house and I would read the newspaper to her, or comb her hair which hung to the floor. When word came that Roger Dale had died, the relatives started pouring in--so many relatives. But Roger Dale was Aunt Venie's favorite grandchild. They adored one another. I believe it was a week or so from the time the family received the news til Roger Dale was buried.

The churchyard where Roger Dale, my grandparents, my mother, our great-grandparents, cousins, uncles--all rest together--was set aside by my great-grandmother. The first grave was her son, "a homesick soldier boy," who died on Christmas Day at Camp Lee, Virginia. On the day of Roger Dale's funeral, my brother and sister and I stood with Mama in the shade of a little pine tree as taps were played. My sister picked up the shells from the 21-gun salute. It was very hot.
Thank you, Tom, for keeping the memory of these men alive.

Grave Matters

Oh, to be in Philadelphia for the cemetery tour!

The first time I was at Laurel Hill Cemetery, beautifully situated on a hillside overlooking the Schuylkill River, Andy Waskie was leading a group of little old ladies through the historic graveyard. They tittered and talked amongst themselves about how wonderful Andy was and we all ran to catch up as he hurried to the next stop. The second time I was there was for Andy and Carol's wedding in the cemetery gatehouse. But oh, I'd love to be there on April 14 for the Titanic Tour!

Apparently, 45 passengers on that ill-fated voyage were destined for Philadelphia. Twelve of those are entombed or memorialized at Laurel Hill and West Laurel Hill. For $75 you can have dinner and a lecture and get a tour of their graves, or you can just have the tour for $25. Visit their website at theundergroundmuseum.org for more details.

Laurel Hill is a National Historic Landmark and is the second rural garden cemetery in the country (the first is Mount Auburn in Boston which was patterned after Pere Lachaise in Paris (right). Founded in 1836, it is the resting place of many notables not only in Pennsylvania history, but American history. Foremost is Gen. George Meade, Union commander at Gettysburg. Ironically, buried not far from him is Gen. John Pemberton, a Philadelphian who fought for the South and defended Vicksburg against Grant's siege, losing the same day Meade won.

Being a necro nut myself, the first thing I did upon moving to Topeka was write a book about its cemetery. I was struck by the history, the "stories in stone," and didn't think most people were aware of what a visual and historic treasure it is. A couple of years ago, thanks to our friends, the Roussels in France, we visited the "city of the dead," Pere Lachaise, where we found, after four hours, the grave of Confederate Secretary of State, Judah P. Benjamin.

Even if you can't get to Philly for the Titanic tour, stop by Laurel Hill some other time. Or stop by Topeka Cemetery, or Mount Auburn if you're in Boston. One of the most beautiful graveyards we've seen is Cave Hill in Louisville, Kentucky, the final resting place of George Rogers Clark, among others. Then there's the cemetery in Lexington, Kentucky, where Henry Clay, the Todd family, Basil Duke, John Hunt Morgan, and too many other Civil War figures to list rest peacefully beside one another (though in life they may have been enemies). Now that spring is upon us, just visit a cemetery. Help clean up a cemetery. Write a book about a cemetery. Believe me, once you visit you won't want to leave. Just ask the residents!

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While We're in Philly. . .

Just received this photo of Charlie Zahm (left) at the recent Lincoln Ball held at Philadelphia's Union League. What a grand location for a party. Also attending was Brigadier Gen. David McMurtry Gregg, (below) aka Carl Popadick. Those folks are always having a fun! Of course, with Charlie's wonderful music, what's not to enjoy? This is the ideal time for you to check out his website and get the perfect background music for Saint Patrick's Day. My personal favorite is "Mingulay," about a small fishing village. It's like hearing a hymn. One of Charlie's reviewers said, “Charlie Zahm is a big man with a powerful and expressive singing voice. Listening to him sing Scottish and Irish music is like a deep draught of a thick, heady stout, rich in taste and body. His latest recording, 'Among the Heather,' is more like a luxurious dram of Irish cream--smooth and sweet, yet intoxicating all the same." I'll have a stout to that! http://www.charliezahm.com/.

And while we're on the subject of Irish music, Connie Dover. Never did a Gaelic ballad have a better friend than Connie's ethereal voice. But Connie has a love for the West, too, and is doing more and more cowboy music. My favorite, "Where shall I go?" from her Wishing Well album. It is moving and wrenching, and if it doesn't get to you, you have granite for a heart. http://www.conniedover.com/.

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News from the Blue Ridge

Our friend Tom Perry is speaking Monday night at the Carroll County Courthouse in Hillsville, Virginia. The program starts at 7 p.m., and the subject is "J. E. B. Stuart’s Long Ride To Yellow Tavern." Tom is the founder of the Jeb Stuart Birthplace Trust and I hope if you find yourself in southwestern Virginia you'll attend his talk or go by the birthplace in Ararat.

While we're talking about the Hillsville Courthouse.... There was a little incident there in March of 1912 that still starts arguments all over the county. One Floyd Allen, a distinguished citizen, was on trial for a misdemeanor charge for which he was found guilty and for which he was about to be sentenced to prison. (Many people believe this was politically motivated, and I'm inclined to agree). Anyhow, when Floyd stood to be sentenced, the shooting started and when it was over, the judge, the commonwealth's attorney, the sheriff, a juror, and a witness were dead. Floyd was injured. The melee was on the front page of Eastern newspapers from New York to Atlanta until a month later when the Titanic sank and grabbed the headlines.

For more on Tom's appearance, check out the freestateofpatrick.com.

And now you know...the rest of the story!