The Cemetery Trio- Clue #2
In this town we have “Old and New”
Explain to us why we have two
A third was built in 1865
You could not get out of these
alive.
Answer:
Montgomery Old Cemetery, New Cemetery, and Memorial Cemetery
“I believe we should begin with the cemetery,” Matthew suggested,
“We may find some evidence as to if Marcus Sebastian were a real residence of
Montgomery, or if the journal was fake.”
“Good Idea,” Peter supported, “If so, we should get going right
away; before the sun sets.”
Once Peter and Matthew walked down Liberty Street, toward Eva Street
to the South, they began to near the Old Cemetery. Next, they took a right on
Caroline, then a left onto Pond to arrive at their destination.
“That was a long way!”
rasped Matthew as he gasped for air. Slightly panting, Peter exclaims, “This
place looks nothing like the place on the coin! We walked all this way for
nothing!” “We can still learn more about this cemetery though; it may contain
information that will lead us to the one on the coin!” Matthew suggested
optimistically.
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Striding up to the low chain link cemetery fence, Peter gulps with
fear. “This place doesn’t look friendly at all; in fact, and it looks so dark!”
he trembles. “Stop being such a coward! It’s broad daylight!” Matthew pats
Peter on the back and grins cheerfully. The pair spots a marker standing beside
the fence of the cemetery. “Look at that!” Matthew gazes, “Just what we need, a
Historical Marker!”
Peter eagerly begins reading from the Texas Historical Commission
marker while Matthew walks up beside him and too, starts reading. “It says here
that in January of 1839, a log meeting house was constructed upon land gifted
by the founders of Montgomery when Reverend Isaac Strickland organized a
Methodist Church,” muttered Peter, “According to the marker, not before long,
the churchyard was started being used for burials in 1840.”
After Peter finishes his sentence, Matthew snatches out the
journal by Marcus Sebastian and flips to a page describing Pastor G. W. Rabb. “I
heard earlier today that the Pastor G. W. Rabb had died. However, he requested
that his body be buried beneath the altar of the Methodist Church; then under
construction in order to replace the previous log meeting house. A monument
memorializing clergy who were assigned with a job to minister settlers, also
known as circuit riders in the earliest years of the United States, along with
G. W. Rabb’s grave mark the original Methodist Church.”
As Matthew switches to reading from the historical marker, Peter
steps cautiously into the cemetery and peaks around at the grave markers and
memorials. “Did you know,” Matthew shouts out to Peter, “That here, in this
cemetery, are graves of American Revolution soldiers who help settle
Montgomery, Texas; Civil War; War of 1812; Texas Independence; & Mexican
War veterans along with many civilians, such as pioneers, county officials,
merchants, physicians, & ministers.
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Peaking at Matthew’s phone screen, Peter exclaims, “Let’s
get going then! What are we waiting for?” Slipping his phone back into his
denim pants pocket, Matthew agrees and the duo begin towards the New Cemetery.
Crossing the street, walking along double story shop
buildings laden in bricks, the two friends continued walking on the sidewalk
and passing into an area of shrubbery and finally taking a left to arrive at
the New Cemetery.
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Looking up towards the right corner of the sky, the Sun’s
glare shines brightly into Peter’s eyes and as he looks towards the valley of
the cemetery, the flora glows around the cemetery beautifully. “This place is
so stunningly gorgeous compared to a typical cemetery!” Peter observes.
Acting as if a light bulb lit in his mind, Peter’s eyes
shined and as a result he suddenly asked, “So why did they build this new
cemetery?” “The reason they founded this new cemetery was in order to relieve
the Old cemetery, which was starting to fill up. The first burials were of three
men murdered by vigilantes on land donated by P. J. and R. S. Willis. On the
other hand, a fourth victim was laid to rest nearby,” summarized Matthew from
the journal.
“Interesting,” Peter responded, “But have you found any
clues as to where or if Sebastian was a residence of Montgomery?”
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“Not me,” Matthew shrugged, “However, I know that there
is a Memorial Cemetery not far from here that was founded circa. 1865.” Peter
seems impressed at Matthew’s knowledge of Montgomery and asks, “Did you read
the whole journal?” Matthew responds proudly, “Half of the journal.”
The pair receives their parent’s permission and driving
assistance as they ride swiftly to the Memorial Cemetery, located North of Eva
Street, on HW 1097.
Jumping out of the silver SUV, Peter & Matthew take a
look at the journal. “It says here that the Memorial Cemetery was a ten acre burial
ground dedicated to African Americans in an era of segregation after the Civil
War with an approximately eight hundred graves. However, specific numbers are
unable to be determined as some graves are unmarked,” Peter read.
“That’s a tremendous amount of graves!” Matthew
exclaimed, dumbfounded with eyebrows up and jaws wide open. “Just to make sure,
you said that the cemetery was built in order to provide a graveyard for
African Americans due to segregation?” Matthew questioned. “Yes,” Peter
assured, “That’s why there are three historic cemeteries in Montgomery.”
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As they headed to find the First State Bank in Matthew’s
Mom’s car, Peter suddenly notices that they have forgotten something. “Um, I
think we forgot something,” Peter whispered nervously towards Matthew to the
right, “We forgot to look for Marcus Sebastian in the cemeteries.” Matthew’s
eyes widened with alarm as he sat comfortably on the right-hand leather seat in
the back row.
A moment past, and Matthew’s emotions relax and he sighs,
“I looked at the gravestones, there was no Marcus Sebastian, but slid into the
journal is a paper note yellowed with age that is signed by Kirk Sebastian. The
note wrote that Kirk was Marcus’ nephew who stated that Marcus was buried, not
in a cemetery, but unfortunately for us, in an unmarked grave said to be below
a young oak tree that stands beside a fence.”
Feeling the fear drain out of him and relief pouring in,
Peter comments, “Maybe we should ask whoever owns the First National Bank about
Marcus. They may have records of him being a customer!” Matthew’s mood rapidly
lifts as he replied gladly, “That’s a great idea! If Marcus was truly a
resident, there could be evidence in the First State Bank!”
The boys decided that they would find verification of
Marcus while Matthew gives Peter an encouraging tap on the back. “This is going
to be an interesting summer!” Matthew exclaimed after the car left the Memorial
Cemetery. Peter flashes back to the previous day when he thought the same; maybe this summer isn’t going to be so bad
after all! The silver SUV glistens in the sunshine as it turns onto the
adjacent road with a roar along with a light brown cloud of dust and sand.
