‘Tales from Pioneers & Soldiers Cemetery’ Archives
First burial 160 years ago
There is one Depression-era photograph of the cemetery in the Library of Congress collection. It was taken in 1939 by John Vachon, a 25-year-old St. Paul, MN native. Vachon was hired by the Farm Security Administration to document living conditions, especially of the poor, during the Depression. The view is of the southwestern section of the cemetery. Note the two buildings in the background; both still exist although the one of the southeast corner of Cedar and Lake is one story shorter. Also note how small the trees were and the systematic planting of trees along the Lake Street edge. September 11, 2013 marks the 160th anniversary of the first burial in Layman”'s (now Minneapolis Pioneers and Soldiers Memorial Cemetery). Carlton John Cressey, son of a Baptist minister, died of consumption at the age of ten months and nine days. His was the first of what would be 27,000 burials in a little less than 60 years. The base of a marker is located on Carlton”'s grave; the [...]
Ashes to Ashes* and Dust to Dust
By Sue Hunter Weir Cremations Today and Years Ago at Pioneers and Soldiers Last year over 40% of all burials in the United States involved cremation. That”'s a number that has been steadily increasing over the years, and, that, given the high cost of funerals, is not likely to decline any time soon. That wasn”'t always the case, however. The vast majority of burials in Minneapolis Pioneers and Soldiers Cemetery were full-casket burials. There are a few cremations (or “cremains,” as the they are sometimes called) but most of those were burials that took place after 1919 when the city passed an ordinance that severely restricted who could be buried in the cemetery. Before that, cremations were rare. Religious beliefs prevented most people from considering it but there was at least one notable exception. (more…)
On a Cool 145th Memorial Day Thoughts and Emotions Gathered and “Warmed” by Music, a Call to Youth, and Challenge for Peace “without a Shot-Fired
By Sue Hunter Weir It was hard to tell whether summer has passed us by or is just late in coming. Memorial Day was a gray, somewhat chilly day this year. The crowd wasn”'t as big as it has been on sunnier, warmer days but that didn”'t dampen their enthusiasm. People have turned out at Pioneers and Soldiers Memorial Cemetery for 145 years to honor those who have died during wars. Given that purpose, it is for the most part a solemn event--except for the music. There is nothing quite like a John Phillips Sousa march to get a crowd tapping their toes. The Seward Concert Band helps set the mood for the day with marches and patriotic songs. When the band plays a medley of service songs veterans of the Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Air Force and Navy rise in turn, salute the flag and are applauded by an appreciative audience. This year”'s observance was a blend of old and new. The words and the music were all familiar. There were several new faces leading different [...]
