That was an interesting workday

Tales from Pioneers and Soldiers Memorial Cemetery

By Sue Hunter Weir

In the 1890s Congress passed legislation allowing a number of organizations to apply for military surplus equipment. This “decorative” cannon and mortar were placed in the cemetery in the1920s and removed during World War II ”“ they were most likely used for scrap.

162^nd in a Series

Albert Nelson, caretaker at Minneapolis Pioneers and Soldiers Cemetery from 1927 until his death in 1953, had a keen awareness of the role than many in the cemetery played in the state and city”'s history.  It seems unlikely that he had any idea about his own role in that story.  He had intended to write a book about the cemetery, but it appears that he ran out of time.  Nonetheless, he left us an amazing amount of information that Mike Barth, current caretaker, found in one of the cemetery”'s ancient file cabinets.  

The file contains Mr. Nelson”'s monthly reports to his supervisor between January 1939 and March 1944.  There are 95 pages, carbon copies, most no more than one or two pages long.  In addition to reporting on routine maintenance tasks ”“ mowing, raking, shoveling, etc.… Read the rest “That was an interesting workday”