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Show Mav 19. : 1998- - Page 13 Uintah Basin Standard Altamont & Altonah cemeteries teach lessons in history By Lezlet E. Whiting members from Oct 17, 1918 through Feb. 6, 1919. They included old William Edgar, old 24-ye- ar The processions up the hill to the windswept Altonah cemetery in the Leonard, old Abraham and winter of 1919 must have been old Celista Emeline. finally, marked by more grief than the surWhile the tombstones in the cemvivors thought was possible to bear. etery provide a link to the past, at The hardy pioneers had shouldered the same time some supply mystertheir share of burdens and experiies. A presumably old headenced untold sorrow; some choose it stone unique, for Hazen Heath lists a birth by homesteading the Uintah Basin, date as April 14 and death date as others were born to it. Sept. 13, but there is no year enIn the winter of 1919 many left it graved. The large headstone tilts when the influenza epidemic struck backwards, the words "our the thriving settlement of Altonah. are in the center in small darling lettering Thirteen Altonah residents died of giving the only clue that the grave the illness at one time. The hard pan is most likely that of a young child. earth of the Altonah cemetery is A flat rock embedded in the difficult to dig today with a back-hoground between two other headone can only imagine how painsstones has etched in letters slow and arduous it was to "ZEANDODGE. It capital takingly leaves one to dig the ground in the early 1900s wonder if the stone marks a grave, with just a pick and shovel. or could it be a memorial left by a Many of those who lost their lives grieving parent, child or friend? in the influenza epidemic of 1917 The Altonah cemetery holds the 1919 were laid to rest at the Altonah not only of pioneers, and graves cemetery. The graves of two famithose who we still remember the lies, the Burgess and Cclbys, are last time we saw them driving down marked with a single, slender fourthe road, it is also home to at least sided white column. On each side of one man who went to war and never the column names, birth dates and came home. The headstone at the death dates are engraved. In a line of World War II veteran, grave to the side of the large marker are old Douglas Allred reads, He four smaller markers bearing only his life in freedoms cause. gave the initials of the deceased. It seems that no matter how Raymond Burgess died of influsmall a community is, they have a enza on Feb. 3, 1919 at the age of 46. cemetery to call their own. Altamont Hie next day his old son, is unique in that it has two cemeterRaymond L. succumbed, four days ies in its care - the Altonah cemelater his old daughter and the Altamont cemetery (forThelma passed away. The family tery known as the Mt. Emmons merly matriarch, Ester Burgess, lived for cemetery). The town inherited the ten more years and then was buried Altonah cemetery in a land exchange with her beloved husband and chilwith the LDS Church. Altamont dren at the age of 50. wanted some land the church owned The Colbys buried four family 22-ye- ar 60-ye- e, -- 29-ye- ar 23-ye- ar 19-ye- ar & life for a park at the time the Church was in the process of divesting its ownership in cemeteries. Along with the property for the park, the town got the Altonah cemetery as well. The two cemeteries are both d for, but are diverse when it comes to scenery. The Altonah cemetery sits atop a hill covered only by green grass, the Altamont cemetery is in a more secluded area, its grounds have towering pine trees. In 1918 Ira B. Cannon, bishop for the Mt. Emmons Ward purchased 40 acres for a cemetery from Lafayette Emily Holbrook for $200. Men and boys of the ward cleared the ground winch had been plotted for the cemetery and when they returned to town there was a feast and dancing. The marker at the entrance to the Altamont cemetery tells everyone the cemetery was originally established in 1918 by the Lake Fork Bench Pioneers. At the Altamont cemetery the oldest grave belongs to Clarence A. Peacock who was born in 1864 and died in 1918. A concrete border marks the grave and a relatively new headstone, presumably purchased by Peacocks descendants, simply reads father. Engraven images of a young married couple tell family and strangers they lost their lives on the same day in 1985, leaving behind four small children. Pictures protected from the elements on the headstones of two children touch visitors to the cemetery so they too experience the loss the families felt at the early passing. The theme of families is prevalent in these two rural cemeteries. The names of grown children are frequently listed on the backs of parents headstones. The message families are forever resounds, giv- ing hope and reasons to remember those who have departed this life for another. well-care- SOLEMN SPOT-- A weathered picket fence surrounds the Summarell family plot at the Cedarvicw Cemetery. The enclosed area holds the remains of six family members and was women and her begun when a 19 year-ol- d infant daughter died in 1912. Cedarview Cemetery retains frontier charm and memories Neilsons home on part ofhis land, according to information from this There is a enveloping sense of Early History of Duchesne County, however when Annie died, a meetreverence when one stands among the tombstones at the Cedarview ing was held to find a permanent burial ground. cemetery; a solemn regard for the The cemetery was founded on hardships endured, tears shed over the graves. There are questions, part of the James and Sarah Summarell homestead, the plot of dozens of questions, about the peoland overlooking the western ple who lie there. Cedarview valley. Young Annie, wife Cedarview Cemetery was estab- of Joseph Stephen Souther was burlished by the township when 19 ied holding her babe, Dorothy Annie Summarell Souther year-ol- d and her infant daughter passed Ethelynn on February 7, 1912. A weathered picket fence suraway. Previously two children had rounds the family plot, where five died and were buried on the north mounds of earth show evidence of edge ofthe woods, north ofRaymond other graves. Annie's father was laid to rest there in 1920. Another headstone indicates that John Thomas Summarell, perhaps Annies younger brother, passed away on Christmas day 1925. He was 27 years old. Sarah J., Annies mother lived a long life after suffering such losses. She passed awsy a few months after celebrating her 88th birthday. One single headstone to the north marks the grave of Mary Ethel Summarell Brown, born June 11, 1895. Was she also a sibling? Annies daughter was given a similar middle name. If so Mary would have been just three years younger than her sister, and certainly would have grieved her loss at the tiny family imaginations, until corrected when historical fact is unearthed. The Cedarview Cemetery, located just off of the Neola highway in Cedarview has dozens of family plots such as the Summarells. Some are enclosed with rod iron, and tall gates, others are outlined in cobble rock. The plots, an old fashion standard - give an impression of privacy, the sense that it is natural for those who loved and shared in the intimate family circle to be brought together in rest. This final resting place for so many homestead families has retained its frontier quality. Aside from a few stands of lilac bushes, it is mostly covered in wild grasses and vegetation. Headstones, throughout the cemetery, some beautifully carved in marble, others lovingly cast by the grieving hands ofmourners remind all who tread there, this is sacred ground. A cluster offour tiny graves, outlined in small rocks, and marked by temporary posts sits on the eastern side of the cemetery. Surely there is a story in every mound of earth be it Fenns, Summarells, Roberts, or Browns that there once was a land so wild, so arid and untamed that it took everything homesteaders had, and then some. There are those who remember, who pull weeds, and rake the rocks away, who tend to the graves of their ancestors. The folks that sacrificed so much to make our lives as good as they are. By Cheryl Mecham plot. Questions. There are so many. Does the plot hold only immediate family? Or were cousins buried there? Annie could have been an only child. The story forms in our INFLUENZA VICTIMS-Ma- ny of the Altonah residents who succumbed to the influenza outbreak of 1919 were laid to rest in this cemetery which sits atop of the hill north of Altamont. HAND CRAFTED IN MOURNING Two hand made headstones stand as a reminder of those who have passed before. Homesteaders put their heart and their ingenuity in making memorials to stand for their loved ones. Strawberry Cemetery is lovingly cared for Neola Rodeo Queen Contest The Neola Rodeo Queen contest will be May 30. The age divisions are Queen: 16 years and over. Princess: 5 years. Jr. Princess; 9 years and under. Contestants must by May 20, 1998. Contact Robin 4 Bastian at for more information. er 353-433- Duchesne Co. Rodeo Jr. Princess Duchesne County Rodeo Jr. Princess, Princess, & Queen Pageant will be held June 10 & 11. All girls that are interested in trying out contact : Kerri lee Iverson 7 or Janice White Deadline is June 1. You must be a resident of Duchesne County. 848-535- 454-317- 6. American Legion Post 64 American Legion Post 64 will be at the following cemeteries on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25. Lapoint 8:30 a.m., Tridell 9 a.m., Neola 9:30 a.m., Cedarview 10 a.m. and Roosevelt at 11 a.m. age to their family members in their own distinct style. By Dixie R. Brown 19-1- I Perched on a bluff above Starvation Reservoir Just above the bridge, the cemetery looks close to what ones envisions it may have decades often using a cane, Hamblin guesses that she spends 20 hours a week ago. Founded in the early 1900's when Roosevelt Belestristics Club will meet, Wednesday, May 20 at 7:30 p.m. Where Light and Shadow Meet Author Emilee Schlindler. Officers will be elected for the coming year. For more information call Deanna Fish at the home of Carol White's House. Carol will review the book 722-928- 3. Open House! Come see the home built by the Uintah Basin Applied Technology Center building trades students. Friday and Saturday, My 22 and 23, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., 600 W. Lagoon Street, Roosevelt Veterans Outreach Program Mr. Ron Bacher,Department Service Officer for the Disabled American Veterans will be available during the month of May to provide assistance with Department of Veterans Affairs on Tuesday, May 19, Roosevelt Workforce Office, 9 - 10:30 a.m.; Ft. Duchesne, Bottle Hollow, Room 302, 11:30 a.m. -- 1:00 p.m.; and Vernal, Workforce Office, 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. COPY 71-ye- ar Struggling with bad knees and ' during warm weather at the tery. ceme- Approximately ten other people assist Hamblin and Peatross in making the decisions that effect the longetivity and maintenance of the cemetery. The two women organize clean up days, sell plots and collect annual maintenance foes. The fees, which are very nominal, are used to help hire someone to help with the maintenance of the grounds and pay the annual water usage. The cemetery tells the stories of many of the families who first tied along the Strawberry river. Down any row, you will find the Its been tough to find someone who will help us. We cant pay them much, but neither of us can do this resident Peter history of the Motts, the Rasmussens, the Millers and the Ivies. Some graves are marked with elaborate wrought-iro- n fencing, bugling bull elk gracing the side. Others have simple wood markers and pine trees planted near the grave. Each family paying their own hom , . : A SILENT HISTORY The Strawberry Cemetery, which was founded in teh early 1900s, sits on a knoll above Starvation Reservation adn quietly tells the history of the area. cared for. Rasmussen donated the land, the cemetery has been carefully tended and cared for over the years by individuals who want to insure that the final resting spot of their family members provide a peaceful respite. Rasmussons old daughter LaVon was the first person to be buried on the peaceful knoll in 1914. ar Open House Betty Hamblin and Jessie Peatross have undertaken a labor of love and have been the care takers of the cemetery off and on for the past 20 years. Hamblin's Father Orson Mott, was an early caretaker and the old has followed her father in making sure that the cemetery is well Strawberry Belestristics Club Duchesne residents In a quiet eternal vigil, those buried at the Strawberry Cemetery seem to watch over the road leading into Duchesne and the rest of the Uintah Basin. They welcome those who have traveled to visit loved ones and bid a silent farewell to those who head west on US Highway 40. by ourselves anymore, said Hamblin. The association has approached Duchesne City to help them with the annual maintenance and hope that they will have a decision some time this year. aims to keep Utahs children healthy Well Child Program Its a medical fact: Preventive care saves lives and money. Practicing what it preaches, TriCounty Health Department (TCHD) offers d exams, including hearing, vision, and developmental screenings for all children- - in Duchesne and Uintah counties. TCHD's Well Child Program is an early prevention program aimed at keeping Utahs children healthy. Exams, which are performed by a registered nurse, include a general head to toe looking over. During the exam, a public health nurse checks a childs general health, gives necessaiy immunizations, examines a child for diseases, discusses developmental and growth expectations with parents, and if a problem is found, makes necessary referrals.' Coqt of the exams at TriCounty well-chil- Health range from $5 to $35, depending on a familys yearly income. Through the Child Health and Evaluation Care Program, well-chil- d exams are free to children who have a current Medicaid card. As part of the Well Child Program, TriCounty Health also offers sport and scout physicals for a $10 fee. d In Vernal, TCHD conducts exams by appointment on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8:15 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. In Roosevelt, one day a month is set aside at the d exams TCHD office for for both Roosevelt and Duchesne clients. For more information or to schedule an appointment. Please call the health department office closest to you. The Vernal offied may be reached at Roosevelt, well-chil- well-chil- 781-547- 5; |