‘Tales from Pioneers & Soldiers Cemetery’ Archives
A Memorial Tribute
By Sue Hunter Weir Walter and John Carpenter, War of 1812; Edwin Barnum, Civil War; and to all men and women who ‘gave the last full measure of devotion” in service to America On May 28, 2012, Americans will pause to pay tribute to the men and women who have died in war. It is a tradition that goes back to 1868 when General Logan [...]
LOW after ZOO ANIMAL on TOMBSTONE STAGE June 9th fed by Hola Arepa and Dandelion Kitchen
By Sue Hunt Weir Zoo Animal performing at 5:30 p.m. and Low taking the stage at 7:00 p.m. Hola Arepa and Dandelion Kitchen will sell some great food during the concert. This is an alcohol-free, family-friendly event. In addition to the music, there will be fun activities for kids and If you missed last year’s benefit concert at [...]
Suicide by Melancholy Dane leaves family of 12 children
On April 1, 1904, the Minneapolis Journal ran a human-interest story under the headline, “A Big and Happy Family in Peter Clausen’s Home.” They were, according to the reporter, “probably the most interesting family in the city of Minneapolis.” What made them interesting is that Peter and his wife, Marie, had 13 children, ranging in age [...]
“Who Dyed?” “What is next to Which?” “Who’s on First?” *
By Sue Hunter Wier Uncle Peter first? Joan Wardwell second?, all at Hodsdon’s at Bloomington and Lake Farm next to Layman’s In the late 19-teens and early 1920s several newspaper articles claimed that “Uncle” Peter Wardell (sometimes Wardwell or Waddell) was the second (or even the first) person buried in Minneapolis Pioneers and [...]
Deaths of entire family grieves Cora Stickney Deaths of husband and three children within 15 years grieved Cora Stickney greatly highlighted by 80 day vigil of daughter’s “trance”
By Sue Hunter Weir It wasn’t often that the death of someone buried in Layman’s Cemetery was reported in the New York Times, but the story of Cora Stickney’s burial was a most unusual, almost gothic, tale. Cora was the daughter of John H. and Ann Stickney; her parents were transplanted New Englanders, who moved to Minnesota shortly [...]
Potter’s Field Tales no less rich and fascinating! Generosity doesn’t tell it all!
By Sue Hunter Weir There are 350 people buried in the cemetery’s Potters Field whose remains were used as research subjects in anatomy courses at the University of Minnesota during the years 1914-1916. They were, to the say the least, a colorful lot: homeless men, prison inmates, men who were both the instigators and victims of crime. [...]
Bra·vo! Bra·vo! Bra·vis·si·mo!
By Sue Hunter Weir It was an event like no other in Minneapolis. As far as we know the concert on October 8th was the first rock concert ever held in a Minneapolis cemetery. And, what a concert it was! It was one of those days when everything came together: beautiful weather, fantastic music and a wonderful, wonderful crowd. How big was the [...]
It’s the “The Cat’s Meow”– Jeremy Messersmith in Concert on “Graveyard Stage” at Cedar and Lake
By Sue Hunter Weir We are honored to have Jeremy Messersmith on the “Graveyard Stage” preceeded by Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles perform as part of a Cemetery Open House Gate Saturday, October 8th in conjunction with the Partners in Preservation Voting. Ticket sale proceeds will be used to continue our 1,853 foot fence restoration [...]
Amusement, Medical Innovation, and Transit Allied for Success
By Sue Hunter Weir The story of the Wonderland babies is as much of a crowd pleaser today as it was when Wonderland Park was in operation between 1905 and 1912. When Wonderland opened its gates in 1905, it was not just a big news story—it was a huge story. It wasn’t just that having a modern amusement park was important to the city’s [...]
“White Bronze” Monument claimed to “Bridge” centuries
by Sue Hunter Weir-83rd in a Series When Sylvester Cook needed to buy a headstone for his wife, Mary, he wanted one that was beautiful and that would last. He took the somewhat unusual step of ordering a marker for her from the Monumental Brass Company in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Despite the company’s name, the marker he bought isn’t made [...]
