A stroll through the cemetery just to enjoy the scenery is not on the to-do list for most Holbrook residents, but improvements to the old section have made it worth a special stop.
The clean-up and restoration effort has been underway for several months, thanks to the Holbrook Heritage Preservation Group, and the most recent addition to the section is a series of stone markers that include not only names and dates, but a short statement about the person’s life and a peek into Holbrook’s history as well.
A brand new marker for Antonio Lopez notes, “Our true hero who bravely and tragically gave his own life while working near town as SFRR section foreman. As a train approached, he ordered his crew to jump from the handcar to safety while trying to avert the accident that ended his life. He was 43. He left behind his wife, 11 children, and a sad, but grateful community.”
Another marker for Irving Jackson “Jack” Bever states, “The Bever family from Ohio was moving to Phoenix for the health of a baby with asthma. Their car was hit by a train in Holbrook, killing four of five of the family. Only the mother escaped. The children were only one, two and three years old. Rest in Peace.”
Founding member Jerrie Jennings-Paschal noted to the group on Facebook that it is unusual for cemetery markers to include history about the person, but that it contributes to the character of the old section and reveals the varied history of the town.
“They tell a little about the death of an individual and also add to the history of our town, right out there for anyone who is interested to see,” she wrote.
In addition to the stone markers, the group also recently added a display in one of the cemetery’s two information boards detailing the Blevins shootout. It is located next to a small memorial for the Blevins brothers who died as a result of the gunfight. The display includes photographs and a full account of the incident.
Just a few years ago, the old section of the cemetery was filled with weeds, trash and empty liquor bottles, and many of the markers were knocked down or missing. The group has not only cleaned the section, but added blooming plants such as lavender, evening primrose and Navajo tea. Many of the plants include markers for identification, and a sorry-looking desert willow tree has been brought back to health through the group’s efforts. Petrified wood and hitching posts have been added along the perimeter to enhance the Old West feel of the section.
Overturned markers have been restored to their original places, and wooden crosses now mark unknown graves. The group continues to work to place headstones on known graves.
The members are seeking donations of pieces of sandstone large enough to serve as grave markers so that the project can continue. To help, or to donate, contact the group on Facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/holbrookheritagepreservation/ or email Jennings-Paschal at jerrieshome@msn.com.
