McQuaid Family Plot- Bodie Cemetery

Fenced Grave- Arthur McQuaid.

The McQUAID family plot- Bodie Cemetery….MOTHER ( 60 years), Hugh McQuaid (16 months), Arthur McQuaid (18 years)

The fenced McQuaid family-plot in the Bodie Miners’ Union Section of the Cemetery contains Hugh McQuaid- an infant, who died in 1883, next in death was Arthur McQuaid- a son who died at 18 years of age and their Mother- who died 1909 at the age of 60 years.

A Christian Cross is on top of the Memorial and Ivy is carved at the bottom of the Memorial. The “expense of the stone” and carving of three different Names and Death Dates, plus the ornate fence surrounding the grave- shows the expense the family went to Remember their children, and Mother, who died in Bodie.

Arthur Mc Quaid -Died -Dec. 26, 1890. Aged 18 years.

Hugh McQuaid- Died September 7, 1883. Age 16 Months.

“Mother” is written on the Side of the Memorial Stone- Died October 10, 1909. Aged 60 years.

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Alexander Nixon (1847-1878)

Alexander Nixon Headstone grave Bodie Cemetery

Gone but not Forgotten- ALEXANDER NIXON (1847- 13 June 1878)- Shot by Tom McDonald in a “drunken argument.”

Alexander Nixon (1847 - 1878) Aged 31 years.

President of the Miners Union. Native of Tyrone, Ireland. Nixon was killed in a shootout at Gallagher and O'Brien's Saloon by his friend Tom McDonald in “a drunken argument over which was the better man.”

Epitaph reads: "Gone but not forgotten."

Sacramento Daily Union, 6/14/1878

Alex. Nixon was shot and killed by Thomas McDonald, Wednesday night, at Bodie.

Pacific Rural Press, 6/22/1878

Thomas McDonald shot and killed Alexander Nixon, at Bodie, in a drunken brawl. Nixon was President of the Miners' Union

Sacramento Daily Union, 6/14/1878: 

Killed in a Drunken Brawl. Bodie, June 13th. – Thos. McDonald shot and killed Alex. Nixon last night in a drunken brawl. Nixon was President of the Miners’ Union here.

Esmeralda Herald (Aurora), 6/15/1878: 

The Shooting at Bodie

About half-past two o’clock last Thursday morning Alex Nixon and Tom McDonald had a difficulty in Gallagher & O’Brien’s Saloon.

Nixon was abusive and finally knocked McDonald down. The latter appeared stunned for a few moments, and when he arose from the floor, he told Nixon “it was hard for a man to be knocked down for nothing.”

Nixon called him “a son of a bitch,” and either struck at or struck him again. McDonald drew his pistol and Nixon did the same. Bystanders could not say “exactly who fired first,” but Nixon at the crack of the pistols— fell to the floor.

Here Nixon continued to whirl and writhe, but still kept shooting with his whistler.

McDonald shot at him twice on the floor, but did not hit. McDonald’s first shot struck Nixon in the right side, passing through the lower ribs, and producing a wound from the effects of which he died in a short time.

Several bullets “went wide of the intended mark,” some passing through the Back Door and some into the Walls. One bullet went through the Back Door, and through a window on the opposite side of the street where it lodged over a sleeper’s head. Considering that both men had whistlers, and fired very rapidly it was miraculous that no outsiders were injured.

Nixon, when sober, is said, “to have been a good fellow,” but in liquor was very quarrelsome. He had some trouble of a serious nature in Pioche some years ago. A year ago last April at Belleville (Nevada), he shot and severely wounded Ramon Montenegro, a young Spaniard well known in this locality. 

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MARY LOUISA MOORE

Mary Louise Moore Grave Bodie California.

MARY LOUISE MOORE (b. 1871- d. 1891) Aged 20 Years. Died from Ether administered for the pain of a Dental Operation.

MARY LOUISA MOORE- (born 23 March 1871- died April 26, 1891) Aged 20 years.

“A precious one of us is gone, A Voice we loved is stilled: A place is vacant in our hearts, Which never can be filled.”

Walker Lake Bulletin, 4/29/1891: 

Miss Mary Louise Moore died in Bodie last week from the effects of ether administered to allay the pain caused by a dental operation. (Note: This news items originally stated, the deceased was Julia Moore, who may have been Julia Ray, from Mary Moore’s first marriage. This was in error as it is clear from Mary Louisa Moore’s gravestone that she died at the time the News Articles appeared.)

Bridgeport (CA) Chronicle-Union, 5/2/1891:
Deceased. – Bodie mourns the death of one of her most “lovely young women,” Miss Louisa Moore, who died on Sunday last, aged 20 years. She was the daughter of Fred Moore, of Bodie, and had long been a resident of Mono County, and was a great favorite, and her sudden departure from this life, has saddened the Community.

Bridgeport (CA) Chronicle-Union, 5/2/1891:
DEATHS. MOORE. – In Bodie, April 26th, Louisa, daughter of Frederick Moore, a native of California, aged 20 years, 1 month and 3 days.
Louisa Moore was one of the best known, and most highly respected young ladies of Bodie. The Funeral Services were held in Odd Fellows’ Hall, on the afternoon of the 28th, under the auspices of the Order of Chosen Friends, of which Society she was a member. She was a good and loving daughter, the only child remaining at home with her aged parents.

Much Sympathy is felt and expressed for them in their sad bereavement. The Funeral was largely attended. The people of Bodie, among whom she had grown from Childhood to Womanhood, showed by their grief and tears, the love and affection in which she was held.

That God in His mercy will help her loving parents “to bear this bitter affliction, is the wish and Prayer of their many friends.”

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THE GRIM REAPER visits BODIE!

Christine Parker grave- Bodie Cemetery

CHRISTINE PARKER—-aged 2 years and 5 months- (d. August 14, 1905)

Death Visits Parker Home.

~~The “Grim Reaper” visited the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Parker on Monday morning at 2 o’clock, and took away their little girl, Christene, aged 2 yrs and 5 months.

~~Her death was caused by Cholera Infantum, from which Christine had suffered for about a week. Previous to that she had always been in good health.

~~The Funeral was held from the Parker family residence Tuesday P.M. Services were held in the M.E. Church, Rev. Darling officiating.

~~The Parkers have the sympathy of the entire community in the loss of their first born. Christine “had reached the age when children become interesting, and a sunshine in the home, and her loss at this time is a sad blow.”

Bridgeport Chronicle-Union, August 9, 1905 (Saturday) 

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Family Plot in the Bodie Cemetery

George W. - Son of J.A. and M.A. Conway —May 20, 1901—-Age 1 Year. 2 Months. 28 Days.

~~~GEORGE CONWAY-(d. 20May 1901)—- Age 1 Year, 2 Months. 28 days—-died in a Scarlet Fever Epidemic.

~~~Although Telegraph and Stagecoach, had made the route more secure, a “common ailment or insect bite” on the journey could produce disaster.

~~~Dysentery, which affected almost everyone at some time on or other on the Overland the Journey, could cause of death. This was particularity true, especially among infants. The  prospect of having to leave a “ new-born-baby” in an unmarked grave along the roadside, was intolerable. Leaving a “infants tiny body” among the sands of the Wilderness, surrounded by Indians and wolves, was the most painful burden the Emigrants had to bear.

Ones natural instinct was to mark a gravesite, so as to find the “final resting place of a loved one” again. But no, possible or adequate grave could be dug on the Overland Trail.

~~~The sun had baked and hardened ground. Digging was like breaking through solid-rock. Next, the rains would come, and wash away the shallow graves.

~~~No matter what grave-marker one might devise- —a pile of rocks, a piece of wood, a shred of cloth- no emblem—- would survive the harsh Winter snows and blizzards, or simple daily passage of time.

~~~There was also the urgent need to “obliterate a grave.” The Indians made a common practice of “digging up the dead” for clothing. This practice also, spread Cholera among themselves —even as they gathered up the treasures.

~~~Even if a grave escaped the notice, it was not likely to escape the prowling wolves and coyotes. Graves were obliterated by the small animal, leaving no trace to be found of a grave even if it had been Properly Marked. The emigrants came to believe, that the greatest service they could do for the deceased, was to “hide the gravesite.” Some Wagon-trail Companies dug beneath the road itself, so “the ox teams would trample over the evidence of a grave.”

The infant and children’s graves in the Bodie Cemetery express the grief and sorrow their parents. The expense to bury a infant, and to mark the grave properly with marble headstone required a “Family Plot” in the Bodie Cemetery. The “family plot” had a different meaning to the Miners themselves, their wives and children, and especially to all the other women, who lived in Bodie.

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The Angel of Bodie!

"Angel of Bodie"- grave of Evelyn Meyers. Died Aprll 5, 1897.

Evelyn K. Meyers “ ANGEL OF BODIE” Born May 1, 1894- Died May 1, 1894.

EVELYN K. MEYERS- “Angel of Bodie” - died 1 May 1894.

A beautifully sculptured, “Angel gravestone” serves as a soothing and comforting Memorial.

“Angels are regarded as agents of God.” Families usually opt for an angel headstone (irrespective of their religious beliefs), in hope that the angels will take care of their deceased  child.

This “Angel of Bodie” stone captures the sense of sorrow and lose to the Meyers family.

Evelyn Beloved daughter of Fannie O. and Albert K. Meyers. Evelyn died from an accidential struck to the head with a pick ax by a workman, who was building a drainage ditch around the Meyer’s home. (Bridgeport Chronicle- Union April 5, 1897)

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ECLECTIC MONUMENT

JAMES B. PERRY- A NATIVE OF IRELAND- Died June 9, 1896- Aged 63 Years- Late Supervisor of Mono County.

ECLECTIC MONUMENT- James B. Perry (d. 9 June 1896) Bodie Cemetery

 ~~~Eclectic Monuments tend to be LARGE, and to “incorporate two or three styles in one headstone .”Usually a large, rugged stone, with a “Scroll for the Inscription.”

~~~All have symbolism in the Christian tradition. The “ROCK” is the most common metaphor for “reliability.” It is often equated with the “living force of God.”

~~~ The Rock represents Jesus, the “Rock of Ages” as the Source, or Eternal Life. The Scroll is an “Emblem of Ancient Wisdom, Prophecy” or Cannon Law (Religious Law). The symbolic reference is to “Divine Law”.

~~~I.O.O.F. Symbol- Internal Order of Odd Fellows emblem of the the ODD FELLOWS LODGE— represent FRIENDSHIP, LOVE and TRUTH.

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Mourning the Dead in Bodie, Importance of Grave-site Service!

Bodie Cemetery, Bodie California, Bodie Miners Union

When death occurred in the late 1800s, no one contacted a “funeral home, no calls were made to “Morticians to handle the burial arrangements.” No one had to go through the “process of contacting the right people” to carry out the task for burying the deceased. Mainly because there were no “funeral homes or funeral directors.” Up until the early 19th century, “the task of preparing the dead for burial,” was seen as a very simple, dignified Family Affair.

During pre-Civil War times, the funeral process followed a typical pattern . One in which people generally, died at home surrounded by their friends and family.

Upon their deaths, the body was laid out by close relations, who washed and dressed the body in a shroud or “winding sheet” made of muslin or wool. Afterwards, the deceased , was placed in a simple pine coffin, often constructed by a family member or neighbor.

It was during this time that the body would remain at home, in the parlor for one to three days. Relatives, neighbors or close friends would “voluntarily watch over the body,” keeping a Round-the-Clock Vigil. Depending on the weather, a large block of ice may have been placed beneath the coffin, with smaller chunks distributed about the unembalmed body.

On the day of the Burial, Hymns were sung, Psalms Read, a Discourse and Eulogy was delivered. As family and friends paid their final respects to their loved one, during “a in-home-service” held often at the home of the deceased.

When the “final goodbyes were said,” so began the journey of the deceased to their “final resting place.” Depending on the distance, the Coffin would be carried by Pallbearers on foot, or conveyed in a Horse-Drawn Wagon through a sombre procession to a grave, pre-dug and awaited by a Sexton.

Upon lowering the Coffin into the ground, “final grave-site words” were spoken by anyone who wished to speak. Shortly after, Mourners would toss a branch, some straw, or a handful of earth onto the coffin lid as a ritual farewell gesture before the grave was filled. As the onlookers stood by and watched or, as more often then not, the mourner’s performed the “task of filling in the grave themselves.”

This was the Mourning Vigil. Every stage of the Process, from the “laying out of the corpse,” to the sewing of the shroud; the watching of the body and the construction of the coffin; the carrying of the coffin and the digging of the grave, each step was conducted, for the most part, by family and friends of the deceased.

The “Mourning Virgil” was an intimate affair, full of catharsis and closure, as Mourners partook in the Ritual of Honoring the Dead.

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