A Few Random Tidbits from the Archives

In the Archives today DD was reading the 2 massive Highland Cemetery files, trying unsuccessfully to find out more about Peck's Gully (I did find out more about the Peck Family and "Peckville" which I'll post tomorrow). But I did write down some tidbits gleaned while searching which I hope you enjoy:

--The late 19th century was known as the "cemetery beautification" era or the "garden cemetery" era.
--The Starkweather Chapel has Tiffany windows and at one time a log-burning fireplace.
--Between 1860 and 1899 8 pioneering "lady doctors" practiced in Ypsi.
--There are 23,000 graves in Highland Cemetery but no one kept track of them until 1894.
--The first burial in Highland Cemetery was Elias Norton, who was buried in Block 1, Lot 1, in 1864. The second was Mrs. Dow, who died under unclear circumstances and who is said to haunt the second floor of the Museum.

Watch and See in Highland Cemetery

After being dragged through most of Highland Cemetery in order to find William McCullough's grave, DD's poor husband was suffering from an understandable cemetery-fatigue, or maybe just a touch of the quinsy. DD maintained her calm, compassionate nature as DDH politely inquired as to her photographic technique.

DDH: "You're taking pictures of dog butts."

DD: (loftily) "I am NOT taking pictures of 'dog butts'." (Takes another picture of a dog butt).

DDH: (smugly now) "You're taking pictures of dog butts."

DD: "Sweetie. What I'm doing here is a little...technical, but let me see if I can explain it in layman's terms."

DDH: "Technical dog butts."

DD: "SWEETIE. If you'll LOOK, you'll see that what I'm doing here is making a skillful juxtaposition of those waves in the dog's tail right there with that little scrolly-thing over there. It's a balanced contrast of line and curves--each element complements the other to produce a composition of breathtaking--"

DDH: "Breathtaking d--

DD: "SWEETIE. Look at those ripples there. Don't they match that scroll thing?"

DDH: "Well...they're...sort of similar."

DD: "All right then. I have been vindicated in my artistic quest." (Wisely) "The true artiste must be free to pursue their own unique, courageous angle on life."

(DD immediately moves around to the front angle, so as to avoid any further commentary).