re: #55 marjoriemoon

Alabama has a number of old graveyards dating back to the civil war. Some that no one but the locals know about. My ex’s uncle always took us. Just during the day, and we would look at the headstones. A lot of young women who died in childbirth, 17-20 yrs old with a little grave next to it. “Baby Smith” some would say. Sad.

They lived in Eufaula. The founder of the town and his family were buried in a mausoleum way off the beaten path. Huge trees with hanging Spanish moss. The sun would shine through in a haze. About 150 yrs old. Their slaves were buried next to them in unmarked graves with railroad ties to mark off the area. It was said to be an honor for them to be buried in the same graveyard, if you can imagine something like that.

Several small town historical societies around Eufaula mount annual graveyard tours, with actors telling the stories of the inhabitants. We did the one at Columbia last year. The town was tied to the Mississippi River showboats, and wintered 19th century circuses.