2007 Year in Review

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The People in Potter's Field

It will soon be Memorial Day, that time when we honor those who served this country in the Armed Forces. It is also the time when the cemeteries come alive with colorful flowers and decorations at the graves of friends and family. There is, however, one part of most old cemeteries that remains barren of decorations of any kind--potter’s field.

For those of you who might not be aware of what a potter’s field is, here is a brief explanation. Potter’s field is a free burial ground for those who had no family or money.

The Bible tells us that when Judas betrayed Jesus to the high priest of Jerusalem, for 30 pieces of silver, the priests would not use the money for their temple. They instead bought the "fields of the potter to bury strangers in."

The largest potter’s field in the Morrison area is located at the east edge of the Round Grove Cemetery. That was the site of the County Poor Farm for many years, and, of course, the final home for the homeless during the early days of this area. Exact figures are not available, but there are probably about 200 bodies buried at the Round Grove potter’s field. Only one grave has a marker in this section of the cemetery, but it is too weathered to read.

There are two potter’s fields in Morrison’s Grove Hill Cemetery that are marked. One is located at the far, northeast corner of the cemetery that is allocated for children. The second is located across the road from the cemetery maintenance building and office. There is a single marker at each of these areas that reads "In Remembrance." The third potter’s field is unmarked and is along the main drive near the top of the hill.

I am sure there are many interesting stories that will never be found or remembered about those who lie buried in potter’s field. Here are a couple that I found.

Wayne Bastian's book, A History Of Whiteside County, tells the story of one who is buried in the Round Grove potter’s field. The information I found differs slightly as to spelling of her name and age, but, so be it. This is the story of Sophie Spanler.

It all started in about 1872, when a train stopped in Morrison. An immigrant German family stepped off briefly. When the train left, it also left Sophie, who was about 70 years old. She couldn't speak English, and she didn't know where her family was going. No one ever found the family, nor did they ever come back to find her. She was taken to the Whiteside County Poor Farm, where she lived for nearly 25 years. She lies today somewhere in potter’s field.

Another story I came across, while checking some Grove Hill records, mentioned a man they referred to simply as "Old Black Joe." Please remember this was about 70 years ago; so, the terms used and the perceptions in our community were a LOT different than today’s. I checked the newspaper for that date and here is what I found.

This happened during the "Depression" days of the 30's. Nearly every train that passed through had men sitting on the top of, or in, empty train cars. People were without jobs. Some were just traveling the country, and others were looking for a better way of life. Older people remember this well! The story that appeared in the Whiteside Sentinel told of two young boys walking on a Sunday afternoon along the "Q" railroad tracks that pass through the peat bottoms.

They came across a body lying in tall weeds a few feet from the tracks. The boys ran home to tell their parents, who called the Sheriff. A coroner’s hearing was held and two people testified: Deputy Sheriff Charles Westendorf and Section Chief for the "Q," Charles Cady. They said that the man was Black, about 60 to 65 years old, and without identification.

The body had been there for approximately 10 days, and so it was impossible to get fingerprints. All he had in his pockets were four pennies and a pocket knife. I guess that told his sad story.

They buried him in potter’s field at Grove Hill Cemetery--grave number 38. They found a casket for him, and Reverend J. S. Chapman of the local Baptist Church gave a short committal service.

I guess we will never know any more about either of these people, or most of the people in potter’s fields, because we rarely can identify those today who remember them. There won't be any flowers on their graves this Memorial Day.

Wouldn't it be nice if someone put a small bouquet by the "In Remembrance" markers, to let those at rest know that they are not forgotten?

by Orville Goodenough, Guest Columnist
May 14, 2007

 

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