Cemetery walk will feature portrayals

Published 2:49 pm Thursday, September 25, 2008

By Staff
BUCHANAN – Members of Buchanan's original village government (1858) will be featured in the annual Cemetery Walk at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Buchanan. The free event is sponsored by Friends of Oak Ridge Cemetery, and will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 28. The last tour begins at 3:30 p.m.
Of the 11 members of the original village government, six are buried in the cemetery on the west side of Buchanan: President James Matthews, Assessor John W. R. Lister, and four Trustees: Caleb J. Ingersoll, Alfred Richards, Sr., Dr. John M. Roe, and Daniel Totten. They were elected on March 3, 1858. "At once the elected government set to work on installing cinder or wooden sidewalks, bridges across McCoy's Creek, and a village pound for stray animals. Action was taken on impounding cattle and hogs running loose during certain hours. Trees were grubbed from the streets and a fence was placed around the old cemetery."
Don Ryman will portray Alfred Richards, Sr., and Corbin Detgen will be James Matthews. Kathy Swem will portray Daniel Totten's daughter, Frankie Whitman. Fred Moore, a direct descendant of Caleb J. Ingersoll will portray his ancestor (and it will be Caleb's 209th birthday). Bob Brown will introduce the tour and talk about Dr. John M. Roe and John W. R. Lister.
Tours will start at Knight Chapel on the east side of the cemetery, and finish at the Front Street entrance sign. There will be additional information about Buchanan as it was 150 years ago at the chapel.
General information about the cemetery (and directions for those from out-of-town) are available at www.friendsofoakridge.org.