the grave finder
"The Grave Finder"
Paul Clark is an 85 year old volunteer caretaker at this long forgotten graveyard, Middleton Pioneer Cemetery, in Sherwood, Oregon. I ran into Paul while I was taking pictures on a grand Northwest foggy day, looking for some unusual shots.
We struck up a conversation, and quickly found that Paul has many interesting stories, for as he said, you meet some interesting people working at a cemetery.
The story I shall share here is that of the grave finder. One day as Paul was cleaning and pruning grave sites, a lady came to him and asked if they had any unmarked graves. Paul replied yes. The lady went on to say that she had an unusual skill and could locate unmarked graves. Oh, ok. She said she charged $35/hr. Well ok, we can handle that cost. Sure. I have to come back with my colleague and we will meet you.
So they met later. Paul asked, "you won't believe what tool she brought to find the graves" He asked me to guess.I said a coin detector. No. "She brought a well finder". Those y shaped branches that are supposed to allow a person to find water, not with any technology or science, but more super natural like a ouija board, or dare I say witch craft.
But she went on to find 15 unmarked Graves for the pair, and they marked them. The grave finder then asked if they wanted to know what sex they were. The men were a little dumbfounded, but said sure. She saw when she holds up the stick, if it points North, it is a male? If it points South, it is a female. So she proceeded to identify all the sexes of the unidentified graves. There were 10 men and 5 women. I laughed and he laughed at the absurdity of this whole situation. As I started to walk away to go on with my picture taking, grabbed my arm and said wait, there's more. More to the story? It seemed absolutely improbable. I said really? He said yes, and he continued his story of the grave finder.
The female grave finder then said, I have a sister with a special skill also, if you are interested in her services. Really. What might that be? She can tell you what the dead bodies are saying to each other underground. Lol. The old man an I laughed even harder.
I would like to thank Paul for his fine storytelling, historical narrative, and his volunteer service to what would be an abandoned eyesore in our community if not for people like him. And for teaching me that names do live on in stone, but also in story. What name and story are you leaving behind?
DSC02453
the grave finder
"The Grave Finder"
Paul Clark is an 85 year old volunteer caretaker at this long forgotten graveyard, Middleton Pioneer Cemetery, in Sherwood, Oregon. I ran into Paul while I was taking pictures on a grand Northwest foggy day, looking for some unusual shots.
We struck up a conversation, and quickly found that Paul has many interesting stories, for as he said, you meet some interesting people working at a cemetery.
The story I shall share here is that of the grave finder. One day as Paul was cleaning and pruning grave sites, a lady came to him and asked if they had any unmarked graves. Paul replied yes. The lady went on to say that she had an unusual skill and could locate unmarked graves. Oh, ok. She said she charged $35/hr. Well ok, we can handle that cost. Sure. I have to come back with my colleague and we will meet you.
So they met later. Paul asked, "you won't believe what tool she brought to find the graves" He asked me to guess.I said a coin detector. No. "She brought a well finder". Those y shaped branches that are supposed to allow a person to find water, not with any technology or science, but more super natural like a ouija board, or dare I say witch craft.
But she went on to find 15 unmarked Graves for the pair, and they marked them. The grave finder then asked if they wanted to know what sex they were. The men were a little dumbfounded, but said sure. She saw when she holds up the stick, if it points North, it is a male? If it points South, it is a female. So she proceeded to identify all the sexes of the unidentified graves. There were 10 men and 5 women. I laughed and he laughed at the absurdity of this whole situation. As I started to walk away to go on with my picture taking, grabbed my arm and said wait, there's more. More to the story? It seemed absolutely improbable. I said really? He said yes, and he continued his story of the grave finder.
The female grave finder then said, I have a sister with a special skill also, if you are interested in her services. Really. What might that be? She can tell you what the dead bodies are saying to each other underground. Lol. The old man an I laughed even harder.
I would like to thank Paul for his fine storytelling, historical narrative, and his volunteer service to what would be an abandoned eyesore in our community if not for people like him. And for teaching me that names do live on in stone, but also in story. What name and story are you leaving behind?
DSC02453