mikeschaffnerphotography.com
595496 and Skippy
Captain Joe Byrd Cemetery , more commonly known as Peckerwood Hill, in Huntsville, Texas is the burial site for prisoners who die while incarcerated in the state penitentiaries and whose bodies are not claimed by their families. The cemetery has been in use since the 1850's. More information on the cemetery is at www.txprisonmuseum.org/articles/cemetery.html
From the website it indicates "Early graves had been marked with only a wooden cross. Those graves that could not be identified were marked with a simple white concrete cross. There are 312 such graves. Some graves were identified with the inmate’s prison number engraved on the cross while others had a tablet style headstone that was discontinued in the 1940’s."
I understand the need to take away someone's freedom due to some transgression but it seems to be a shame that we also take away their name.
While there I noticed two such crosses with the inmates's number. One was for prisoner 595496 next to it is a cross with a small Christmas tree in front of it. On that second cross someone had painted ♥ SKIPPY ♥ on the back. They may have done bad things and deserved punishment but they are still family to someone.
As always, your comments and faves are appreciated. Constructive criticism and suggestions are especially welcome as I believe they help to make me a better photographer. Thank you for taking the time to look at my photos.
595496 and Skippy
Captain Joe Byrd Cemetery , more commonly known as Peckerwood Hill, in Huntsville, Texas is the burial site for prisoners who die while incarcerated in the state penitentiaries and whose bodies are not claimed by their families. The cemetery has been in use since the 1850's. More information on the cemetery is at www.txprisonmuseum.org/articles/cemetery.html
From the website it indicates "Early graves had been marked with only a wooden cross. Those graves that could not be identified were marked with a simple white concrete cross. There are 312 such graves. Some graves were identified with the inmate’s prison number engraved on the cross while others had a tablet style headstone that was discontinued in the 1940’s."
I understand the need to take away someone's freedom due to some transgression but it seems to be a shame that we also take away their name.
While there I noticed two such crosses with the inmates's number. One was for prisoner 595496 next to it is a cross with a small Christmas tree in front of it. On that second cross someone had painted ♥ SKIPPY ♥ on the back. They may have done bad things and deserved punishment but they are still family to someone.
As always, your comments and faves are appreciated. Constructive criticism and suggestions are especially welcome as I believe they help to make me a better photographer. Thank you for taking the time to look at my photos.