James Mann "Ghost Tour" in Highland Cemetery

Dusty D were privileged to take part in a tour of Highland Cemetery last night with local historian James Mann. Bonus: atmospheric kerosene lanterns!

About 15 people showed up at 6 p.m., mostly young people from a local History Club (?). James lit the lanterns and leading the way with one, led us through the side gate that the caretakers had left unlocked for him. We walked under the huge yellow trees lining the driveway, over yellow leaves like decals on the wet asphalt.

James led the group south past the graves of O. E. Thompson and his wife, onetime merchant in the THompson Building. He stopped at two small graves under an incandescent yellow maple tree. "How many of you know what green stamps are?" he asked. Three adults raised their hands, and James proceeded to tell the story of Shelly Hutchinson's rise as the pioneer of these consumer "points" stamps.

A pause at the Soldier's Memorial was followed by a stop at pioneer doctor Helen McAndrew's grave, near the spot where last week's SLAPS tour had had an encounter. We turned at the southwest corner and headed north along the back of the cemetery.

James paused at several graves and gave talks about the person resting in each one. The high point for Dusty D came when we visited lumber baron Scoville's family plot. James talked about the iconography on three graves standing together. One showed clasped hands. The next, a hand pointing up. The last, the grave of Elizabeth Scovill, showed a hand pointing down. James said that none of the researchers at the Archives had been able to find any information about her--not even an obituary, for one of the most well-known families (that included a mayor) in the history of Ypsilanti.

You can be sure that Dusty D was intrigued. I also noted that the top of this monument had been broken off at one point, and replaced. Hmmm.

Night and rain fell. James continued to lead the umbrella'd group around in the northern section of the cemetery, but sweetie and I said a goodbye and scooted off. Dusty D was glad to see James in action and observe how he conducted a tour. It was a pleasant evening in a stunningly beautiful red, orange, green, and yellow October-evening.