‘Tales from Pioneers & Soldiers Cemetery’ Archives
Tales from Pioneers and Soldiers Memorial Cemetery: #211
No Justice for Martha By SUE HUNTER WEIR On September 9, 2012, the University of Minnesota hosted a dedication ceremony to honor the 250 adults who served as research subjects for medical students in the years 1914-1916.The University provided a marker in their memory. Photo: Tim McCall Gilbert Seashore, the Hennepin County Coroner, ruled Martha Rossa’s death as an “intentional homicide.” But despite the fact that Nick Piritano, the man who shot her, confessed, her case never went to trial. Instead, the county prosecutor devoted his efforts to prosecuting Piritano for killing Nick Bruno, a man who was in the same house as Martha on the night that she died.The transcripts of Piritano’s trials, both of them for the murder of Bruno, appear to no longer exist. And newspaper accounts about what happened on the night of May 5, 1913, are confusing and contradictory at best.What is known is that on that evening she was at the home of Nick Piritano. The papers referred to her [...]
Memorial Day Program 2023
The Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery Lot at Pioneers and Soldiers Memorial Cemetery. Credit: Minnesota Historical Society Please join us for the 153rd Memorial Day observance at Minneapolis Pioneers and Soldiers Memorial Cemetery on Monday, May 29. The program begins at 10 AM. Music by the Seward Community Concert Band. Readings by students from the Minnesota Transitions Charter School. Rifle team from American Legion Post One. Everyone is welcome. Seating is somewhat limited so please bring a lawn chair if you can. There will be a one-hour, seated talk about the cemetery’s history at 1 p.m. Free and open to everyone.We will have plenty of seating.
Tales: Remembering the Fallen, Memorial Day 2023
Tales from Pioneers and Soldiers Memorial Cemetery 210th in a Series By SUE HUNTER WEIR Thousands of people gathered at the intersection of Minnetonka and Washington Avenues on May 30, 1870. They formed a parade that stretched for two miles as they marched to what became known as Layman’s Cemetery. Flags were flown at half-mast and business throughout the city came to a standstill since “there were none in the stores to sell nor to buy.” The Civil War might have been over but the trauma remained. Disease and disability continued to claim lives. The war and its aftermath left unimaginable numbers of widows, orphans, and bereaved parents in its wake. The first division of the parade was led by the Fort Snelling Twentieth Infantry Band followed by members of the Grand Army of the Republic, a benevolent organization that advocated for veterans. Their motto was “Fraternity, Charity, and Loyalty.” They were followed by other former soldiers and their families.The [...]
