MANCHESTER CEMETERY

TOO MANY TO LIST

Posted By: Nancee Seifert (email)
Date: 10/16/2014 at 12:57:41

From: Nancee Seifert
Date: 5/8/2010 10:19:57 AM
To: IADECATU@rootsweb.com
Subject: MANCHESTER CEMETERY

Yesterday, I headed for the Manchester Cemetery -- with the expert
directions Janet Jelsma gave to me.. I have a feeling she knows more about
Decatur County than we are aware of.. (She seems to be pretty quiet... smile
..) Again, you can see the location of this cemetery on the Decatur Co.
Maps; Eden Township, on the Decatur Co. website.

The weather was not all that pleasant, having just had rain and the wind was
blowing, with temps in the high 50s.. Of course, that does not deter me in
the least. This cemetery is fenced and mowed, however, it is in very poor
and declining condition. I took pictures of all the stones I could find (a
couple I couldn't lift) and put them on the Iowa Gravestone Photos for
Stacey to approve.. While I'm on the subject of the cemetery condition, I
would be happy to forward some of the pictures to anyone who might want to
see them.. I continue to try to share these things with others on the List,
but am getting little or no response, which also disappoints me..

When I left Manchester Cemetery, I went on over to Meek to take the
remaining headstone pictures I didn't get when I was there the other day.
The lane leading to Meek is interesting and a bit difficult to navigate
because of rain and deep ruts -- but, onward!!!

I, then, decided to find Chastain Cemetery, which is just on down the way
and sits back on one of the large farms there.. Not seeing any way to enter
the cemetery, I stopped at the farm and talked with the owner, his son and a
couple of other area farmers.. One thing about it, they have a sense of
humor when they see an old lady in white sneakers who wants to walk over to
the cemetery.... The young fellow said, "well, you'll have to walk in mud."
I said, "how much mud?" Of course, what he was saying translates to --
And
just how much cow manure do you want to trudge through?" ha... Well,
seeing as how I hadn't brought my 'hog boots' with me (and, yes, I do have
them) I told them I'd come back later.. I can go through the white iron
gates whenever I want.. They were busy -- but I think the young fellow
would have taken me for a ride on/in his 'gator' thing over to the cemetery.
I will go back soon!!
They said it doesn't dry out until August.. while they all grinned.....

The farm owner said he has to pay taxes on all six cemeteries in Eden
Township -- he is also a trustee. I didn't want to take up anymore of their
time, so we didn't really discuss anything else..

The ticks were out in record numbers..Of course there are always a couple
that come home with me. So, I make another note of 'things to take when
going to old cemeteries' -- camera, extra batteries, single handle tire iron
witching wires, chalk, water to drink and wash my hands with, toilet paper

paper towels, snacks & coffee or coke, -- and -- HOG BOOTS..

Well, just an update from the 'cemetery gypsy'.... Nancee