Recollections of the Max Cemetery
by E.S. Sutton
(who visited the site October 10, 1938)
by E.S. Sutton
(who visited the site October 10, 1938)
“At one time it was a beautiful plot of ground, commanding a wide sweep of the Republican Valley. Up and down the valley was a velvet green carpet of green grass, with a background of large cottonwoods along the river bank.
“Today, the grass is all but dead, just a turf here or there. It was too dry for the Russian Thistle to grow more than a few inches high. There was a rank growth of weeds. But at each grave, the spot was easily identified by a small clump of sunflowers, and some thistles slightly larger than those scattered about the yard.
“Long ago the mounds had disappeared as the wooden vault crumbled away and let the soil settle. Winds helped to sweep away the loose soil. One would drive by this place of ancient sorrows without knowing they were passing the last resting place of some of Dundy’s pioneers.
“Not satisfied with the slow repossession of the soil, nature was assisted by the flood of 1935 which swept over these graves, tumbling down the marble markers, even washing them years away from their original setting.
“A huge bull snake was preparing his winters habitation in the depression of a sunken grave. The soil was loose and he would crawl into the hole, diligently work and soon return with a heap of soil on his flattened head. Time after time he would go down for the meager load and each time he returned to pile outside until there was now a sizeable dump.
“There were but three markers in this cemetery. Perhaps others were moved away for there is evidence of graves having been removed.
“Today, the grass is all but dead, just a turf here or there. It was too dry for the Russian Thistle to grow more than a few inches high. There was a rank growth of weeds. But at each grave, the spot was easily identified by a small clump of sunflowers, and some thistles slightly larger than those scattered about the yard.
“Long ago the mounds had disappeared as the wooden vault crumbled away and let the soil settle. Winds helped to sweep away the loose soil. One would drive by this place of ancient sorrows without knowing they were passing the last resting place of some of Dundy’s pioneers.
“Not satisfied with the slow repossession of the soil, nature was assisted by the flood of 1935 which swept over these graves, tumbling down the marble markers, even washing them years away from their original setting.
“A huge bull snake was preparing his winters habitation in the depression of a sunken grave. The soil was loose and he would crawl into the hole, diligently work and soon return with a heap of soil on his flattened head. Time after time he would go down for the meager load and each time he returned to pile outside until there was now a sizeable dump.
“There were but three markers in this cemetery. Perhaps others were moved away for there is evidence of graves having been removed.
Edith, dau of WG and JL Price Jun 3 1889 age 5 mo For this is the Kingdom of Heaven | Francis, wife of S Bailey Dec 15 1892 Age 62 | John Breedon Age 58 My flesh shall Rest in Hope |
“At first I thought there were markers of at least six graves, perhaps seven. Later, by examining base stones, dies, and columns I discovered there were but three marked graves, but the flood had been of such force as to break the monuments from their bases and then scatter the pieces many yards.
“The three parts of the Breedon monument were separated, the cement base laid near its original placement; the marble die, a square design was nearby, while the marble marker, perhaps 3 ft high and a foot wide on each side, laid within the lot.
“Directly east of the Breedon lot, perhaps 25 feet away was the Bailey lot. This had been encircled with a brick border, two brick deep. The flood had washed most of the brick away, some being scattered over the cemetery in a northeast direction. 75 feet away was found the marker which was very similar to the Breedon stone. This was northeast of the grave and at first caused me to believe it was two separate graves, but upon close examination I found the marble die at the grave, which had been cemented to the marker and also further strengthened by an iron pin, matched. Strange to say, the cement base upon which these two pieces of marble were cemented, was found about 50 feet due east of the grave. The base would weigh at least 100 pounds. The Marker would weigh about the same. One was found 50 ft east, while the other had been washed a good 75 feet northeast. The lighter piece, the marble die which connected the two was intact, it was marked Frances Bailey.
“Due east of the Bailey lots was the Price burial plot. Here I found a similar situation comparable to the Bailey monument. At first I thought the headstone, which layed [sic] about 50 feet northeast, and the cement block were two different graves. Upon examination of the block I found there was a deep slot in its top. Measurements of the slot and measurements of the white marble slab which carried the inscription proved to match. The flood had separated the two pieces.
“The three graves above mentioned are all in the same tier of lots which laid east and west and about two thirds of the distance across the cemetery, from the north side.
“Directly north of the Breedon lot, in the second tier of lots, was a deep indentation, which was surrounded by two-by-four boards laid in the ground. There were no marks of identification.
“Likewise, southwest of the Breedon lot was another depression, but without identification.
“Several other depressions scattered about the cemetery leads one to believe there are the only remaining evidences of burials.
“Notes:
By Earl Lemon – grandson
W.A. Gardner
Two children buried in trees back of old house – about across road from present Richard Gardner ranch house on Indian Creek.
Burial of Hunter
Sanford Stoneberg was told when first here of an old hunter buried up against draw side, across road from Frank Stoneberg homestead – on Rudisill place. He thought he could see the depression and noticied a different stand of grass there.
Burial unknown –
ESS 1938”
“The three parts of the Breedon monument were separated, the cement base laid near its original placement; the marble die, a square design was nearby, while the marble marker, perhaps 3 ft high and a foot wide on each side, laid within the lot.
“Directly east of the Breedon lot, perhaps 25 feet away was the Bailey lot. This had been encircled with a brick border, two brick deep. The flood had washed most of the brick away, some being scattered over the cemetery in a northeast direction. 75 feet away was found the marker which was very similar to the Breedon stone. This was northeast of the grave and at first caused me to believe it was two separate graves, but upon close examination I found the marble die at the grave, which had been cemented to the marker and also further strengthened by an iron pin, matched. Strange to say, the cement base upon which these two pieces of marble were cemented, was found about 50 feet due east of the grave. The base would weigh at least 100 pounds. The Marker would weigh about the same. One was found 50 ft east, while the other had been washed a good 75 feet northeast. The lighter piece, the marble die which connected the two was intact, it was marked Frances Bailey.
“Due east of the Bailey lots was the Price burial plot. Here I found a similar situation comparable to the Bailey monument. At first I thought the headstone, which layed [sic] about 50 feet northeast, and the cement block were two different graves. Upon examination of the block I found there was a deep slot in its top. Measurements of the slot and measurements of the white marble slab which carried the inscription proved to match. The flood had separated the two pieces.
“The three graves above mentioned are all in the same tier of lots which laid east and west and about two thirds of the distance across the cemetery, from the north side.
“Directly north of the Breedon lot, in the second tier of lots, was a deep indentation, which was surrounded by two-by-four boards laid in the ground. There were no marks of identification.
“Likewise, southwest of the Breedon lot was another depression, but without identification.
“Several other depressions scattered about the cemetery leads one to believe there are the only remaining evidences of burials.
“Notes:
By Earl Lemon – grandson
W.A. Gardner
Two children buried in trees back of old house – about across road from present Richard Gardner ranch house on Indian Creek.
Burial of Hunter
Sanford Stoneberg was told when first here of an old hunter buried up against draw side, across road from Frank Stoneberg homestead – on Rudisill place. He thought he could see the depression and noticied a different stand of grass there.
Burial unknown –
ESS 1938”
Hand drawn map of the Max Cemetery, by E.S. Sutton. (Please note that Mr. Sutton has somehow reversed the information regarding Frank Wesley. It was actually Olive Selby who said Wesley was buried in the Max Cemetery at the time of the flood, and it was Otis Rickard, Burt Ostrom and Addie Powell who said Wesely's body had been reburied in Benkelman.)
The following notes were written by Mr. Sutton in the margins of the above hand drawn map:
“Price Vault walls stood straight as day dug – one end scooped out – many cans of canned beans – beets – corn – in glass – washed in.”
“Bailey Vault opened like a cellar.”
“Francis Bailey – stone taken to Benkelman 1974 by Harpers. Res up on Lot 1 County West addition Bln 43
Born 8-11-1840
Died 12-13-1892”
“Silas Bailey buried [undecipherable] 65 yrs. Silas murdered by Bush 1890 – Body was exhumed for trial – re-interred after trial at Max next to wife – no stone.”
“Grandson Williams 18 months old also buried son lot 1”
“Daughter of Silas Bailey married Ed Williams”
“LeRoy Hickman died Nov 11 -1908 Buried Benkelman”
“North of Max – on Hill overlooking town Pitney to Bartlett to Harley Howard 1970 – Olive Selby says – John Breedons granddaughter buried – Pitney requested it be removed to Benkelman”
“Bailey obituary – he was buried Max Cemetery at side estranged wife. But no stone. She was a sister of Hank Harper.”
“Price Vault walls stood straight as day dug – one end scooped out – many cans of canned beans – beets – corn – in glass – washed in.”
“Bailey Vault opened like a cellar.”
“Francis Bailey – stone taken to Benkelman 1974 by Harpers. Res up on Lot 1 County West addition Bln 43
Born 8-11-1840
Died 12-13-1892”
“Silas Bailey buried [undecipherable] 65 yrs. Silas murdered by Bush 1890 – Body was exhumed for trial – re-interred after trial at Max next to wife – no stone.”
“Grandson Williams 18 months old also buried son lot 1”
“Daughter of Silas Bailey married Ed Williams”
“LeRoy Hickman died Nov 11 -1908 Buried Benkelman”
“North of Max – on Hill overlooking town Pitney to Bartlett to Harley Howard 1970 – Olive Selby says – John Breedons granddaughter buried – Pitney requested it be removed to Benkelman”
“Bailey obituary – he was buried Max Cemetery at side estranged wife. But no stone. She was a sister of Hank Harper.”