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Eva and Martha Lockwood- 1882

Eva M. Lockwood grave Bodie Cemetery

Eva M. Lockwood- Aged 11 years, 5 months. “I sleep in Jesus blessed sleep” Daughter of J. Z. and A Lockwood.

~~~Eleven year old ,Eva Lockwood, daughter of J. Z. and A. lockwood succumbed to illness on March 12, 1882. Of importance is a month later- April 3, 1882 her three year old sister- Martha Lockwood died. They have matching- same style headstone- yet with differences in epitaphs .

~~Eva Lockwood, (11 and half year old daughter of J. Z. and A. Lockwood,) is laid to rest in the Bodie Miners’ Union Cemetery. Marked by a poignant headstone, that reflects her life and the era in which she lived. The craftsmanship of her headstone reveals intricate detailing, characteristic of the time, while the weathered stone offers a glimpse into the transient nature of Bodie's Mining community. Martha's resting place serves as a lasting Memorial, illustrating both her individual story as a young girl, and the broader narrative of a her childhood years spent living in Bodie.

MARCH 12, 1892

Eva M

DAUGHTER OF J.Z. & A. LOCKWOOD

MARCH 12, 1892, AGE 11YRS, 1MOS., 2 DAYS


Martha Lockwood Headstone Bodie Cemetery

Martha B. Lockwood- Aged 3 years. 15 months- Died April 3, 1892. Daughter of J. Z. and A. Lockwood. “Safe in the Arms of Jesus”

APRIL 3, 1892 - Safe in the Arms of Jesus- MARTHA B LOCKWOOD- Aged 3 years 15 days.

~~~The Right Hand pointing up symbolizes the deceased has ascended into the Heavenly Realm.~~~

~~~The “Female Sleeve Cuff of her Blouse”- shows the era- young childs clothing of the day.

~~~The “leaves of ivy” (holding in her hand)- abiding memory, friendship, fidelity.

At three years of age, Martha Lockwood's life was tragically and abruptly cut short. Just a month after the untimely death of her beloved 11-year-old sister, Eva Lockwood. Both children’s death were a “heart-wrenching loss” that reverberated through the small, close-knit community of Bodie.

The Lockwood sisters, deeply bound by their childhood and innocence, faced the harsh and unforgiving realities of life in a isolated, mining town at 8, 350foot elevation, during a historical period fraught with Disease, Danger, and Uncertainty.

Martha, barely a toddler herself, and not-even of school-age, ultimately succumbed to the illness that swept through the settlement, serving as a “grim reminder” of the inherent vulnerabilities that accompanied the rapid and unchecked daily hardships of Bodie's young-in age population.

Their shared “resting place” in the Bodie Miners’ Union Cemetery, serves as a poignant testament to the fragility of life, and the enduring bonds of family, even in the face of overwhelming sorrow and heartbreak that life often brings.

Martha B

DAUGHTER OF J.Z. & A. LOCKWOOD

DIED APR. 3, 1892

AGE 3YEARS 15 DAYS

Safe in the Arms of Jesus

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George Dolan- Aged 21 years.

George W. Dolan Grave- Bodie Cemetery

George W. Dolan- Aged 21 years- buried in the Dolan Family Plot- November 21, 1905.

George W. Dolan (born 4 April 1884 -died 21 November 1905) Aged 21 years.

Bridgeport Chronicle-Union, Saturday 25 Nov 1905 

Death of George Dolan:  Passes Away at the Home of His Mother After a Lingering Illness

At the home of his mother, Mrs. J. S. Dolan, George succumbs to heart trouble. He was on a visit to his sister, Mrs. Wm. Roach, of Sweetwater, Nevada, when stricken with the fatal disease. (He rallied enough to stand the trip to Bodie.) About two weeks ago was taken to the home of his Mother, there “receiving medical skill, science and the attention of a fond Mother and sisters,” but of no avail and on Tuesday morning at four A.M. his Spirit passed to the Great Beyond.

~~~ George was a “Bodie boy,” the fourth son of the late J. S. Dolan. He was reared and educated in the “little mining camp,” grew to Manhood and was held in high esteem by his friends and school-mates. When in good health, he was employed in the Mines of that town.

~~~He was born in Bodie twenty-one years ago, and leaves to mourn his loss, a mother, Mrs. J. S. Dolan, four sisters, Mrs. Wm. Roach, of Sweetwater, Nevada, Mrs. George Welch, of Bodie, Miss Agnes and Grace Dolan, and James, Bert, Frank and Harry Dolan his four brothers.

Dolan Family Plot- Bodie Miners's Union Cemetery

Dolan Family Plot- Bodie Miners’ Union Cemetery.

He was buried Thursday afternoon, from the home of his mother in Bodie, a large concourse of friends and acquaintances with the family, followed the remains to last “Resting Place." (Dolan Family Plot- Bodie Miners’ Cemetery)


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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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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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