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Cedarvale Cemetery

As we explored the back roads around our campground, we came across this cemetery.  It’s odd that it’s named Cedarvale Cemetery since its right outside a tiny town called White Oaks.  And, there’s no Cedarvale anywhere around here!  Oh, well – one of those quirky little mysteries that I don’t suppose I’ll ever know the answer to! This cemetery seems to be in current use, as there are a number of new, or redone, headstones mixed in with some that are very old.  Of course, it’s the very old ones that tend to attract me…..

Jim Leslie Headstone

Some of the headstones clearly appear to have been hand carved, like Jim Leslie’s.  His wife is buried right next to him – her name was Callie, and hers looks just like his.  It’s hard to imagine his life – a life that ended before the start of the century before last!

Jesse Leslie Headstone

When Jesse died, at the young age of 34, he was already a husband, father and brother.  And, from the dates, I am guessing he may have been the grandson of Jim, who died at 81.  Jesse’s life wasn’t nearly as long, and altho he did live into the 20^th century, he died before the Great Depression.  Again, it’s amazing to think of how much he missed.  Also, I wonder what happened to the rest of his family – like his wife – her headstone isn’t here.  Perhaps she remarried, and is buried with the husband after Jesse.  From an artist perspective, I do really like the texture in his headstone – the shading is in the marble, and isn’t caused by light. 

Soldier Headstone

We saw a number of these headstones in this cemetery.  They were interesting in what they didn’t reflect, as well as the military information they did contain.  We have no idea when John (or any of the soldiers with these headstones) were born or died – only their military rank and where they served.  John was a corporal in Kentucky and must have moved here to New Mexico at some point in his life, but other than that, we don’t know anything.  There were several of these types of headstones in the cemetery – perhaps something the government did for those who served in the military?  Jeff & I wondered if they still did that.

Exact Lifespan

Here’s a headstone that has clearly been restored/replaced.  I’m including it in this posting because I found it so interesting for a couple of reasons.  First, John Slack was clearly a Mason – note the insignia at the very top of the headstone.  Also, I was struck by how the exact length of his lifespan is shown on his headstone, down to the days!  I calculate he was born May 20, 1820.

Dual Wooden Headstones

Next, I came across these 2 very, very old headstones.  They are wooden, and any writing there may have been on them has worn away over the, years.  There’s a dignity in their simplicity, isn’t there?  I don’t know what the smaller markers are – perhaps marking the end of the grave?  There were a number of these very old and I’m guessing forgotten headstones and the souls that lie beneath them.

Billy the Kid Victim

Here’s another restored/replaced headstone, and I’m including it because it is a slice of history, carried over into today’s world.  Billy the Kid is a famous (perhaps infamous?) outlaw of the Wild West.  I have read some accounts that say he was actually born as William McCarty in New York City in 1859, but most people know him as William H. Bonney, which supposedly was an alias.  He’s buried here in New Mexico, in the same county (Lincoln) where this cemetery is, but he’s an hour or so away from where we were on this day.  There have been recent efforts to pardon Billy the Kid, who died when he was only 22.  I’m not certain what the reasoning is behind that, but the family of Sheriff Bell (who died when he was 28) are some of the folks who are fighting that effort. 

Heartbreaking Headstone

Life was certainly hard in the West in days gone by.  It’s not unusual to see headstones such as this one, but I find each and every one of them heartbreaking.  This little one must have died at or very shortly after being born, since only the one date is shown on this tiny little headstone.  Makes me wonder at how lucky I was to have been born and lived when I did, not that this type of heartbreak doesn’t still happen every day.  The message here – live your life to the fullest.

Enjoy!