Tombstones and Mushrooms

   While reading up on the "Wild Man of the Wynoochie" I found a list of local cemeteries and have explored two of them.

One is "Oakland" cemetery.  It only has one stone left and it bears the name "Thomas Slocum".  I wondered if that was a Native American name and in my research I learned that a John Slocum founded the local "Indian Shaker Church"  There is a John Slocum buried in the Oakland cemetery and he died the same year as the man who started the church so I think this is the resting spot of man who started the Church.  I wonder why his marker was not replaced and why his resting spot is not better known?


The other Cemetery I visited is the "Gove" cemetery where another locally famous "John" is buried.   The  so called Wild Man of the Wynoochie  "John Tornow" who was gunned down by the local law enforcement at the age of 33.  He is accused of six murders.   It seems that in the modern age most people feel sorry for him.  Back in his day he was villanized.   The offerings left on his tombstone include live shot gun shells, live rifle ammo, a bottle of Mikes Hard lemonade, a bottle of whiskey some pennies and some plastic flowers.   The Gove cemetery is well maintained.

By contrast the Oakland cemetery is neglected.  It sits in the woods,  perhaps on Simpson ,  uh I mean Green Diamond Resource company  property and only one marker is left.   The property is posted "No Tresspassing without written permission" There are many sunken areas where others  must
have been buried but the markers are missing.   In 1982 someone recorded the names in this cemetery as follows:

OAKLAND CEMETERY

Located off John's Prairie road from Shelton. Turn off on E. Capitol Hill road at County Shed. Drive 0.8 miles from John's Prairie road and it is on the right hand side scattered with many sunken areas where graves probably were. There are 3 stones left. Copied in fall of 1982.

1. John Slocaum died Nov 31, 1897
Children of M & J Slocum
Mattie, Ad, Daley, Maggie, Lucy, Tommy and three others

The following is from the 1880 Census of Mason County, Washington Territory

"97. Slocum, John I M 35 m laborer, 6 mos, #22,23 WT WT WT
Slocum, Tabitha I F 27 wife K.H. #22,23 * WT WT WT
Slocum, Martha I F 12 dau s at home #21,23 WT WT WT
Slocum, Maggie I F 9 dau s #21 WT WT WT
Slocum, Dulcie I F 4 dau s WT WT WT
Slocum, Jennie I F 1 dau s WT WT WT

*#22, cannot read; #23, cannot write; #21, attend school within census year

102. Slocum, Jack I M 29 m laborer, 4 mos.#22,23 WT WT WT
Slocum, Marie I F 30 wife K.H. #22,23 WT WT WT"

2. Thomas Slocum d. 11 Jan 1901 aged 50 years

From 1880 census:
"101. Slocum, Thomas I M 35 m laborer, 4 mos. #22,23 WT WT WT
Slocum, Mary I F 29 wife K.H. #22,23 WT WT WT
Slocum, Maud I F 10 dau s at home #21,23 WT WT WT
(Also see Batstone Mortuary record #100)

3. Anna J. Ellis beloved wife of John Gillespie
died 5 Jan 1886 aged 28 yrs
Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord

The Gove cemetery also has quite a few sunken in areas that do not bear stones but it is also still being used as a burial ground.   

TORNOW Cemetery

From Winter 1979 Bulletin of Seattle Genealogical Society, Submitted by Barbara Cruchon.

Unmarked cemetery in Mason County, WA. On left side of road heading north toward Matlock, after leaving Schafer State Park, 8 miles from Matlock. Read 24 Jul 1878. Read again 8 Sep 1982 by Jan Stevenson, and corrected. Cemetery read from back to front and left to right on each row.

Row I:
1. Spalding, Carl 1852-1927 Willimena 1853-1918

Row II:
1. Ramsey, Alan Douglas 1CFN US Navy 1942-1976

2. Schaletzke, Ross E.M. born 17 Mar 1892 died 5 Feb 1911
Dearest loved one, we have laid thee in the peaceful graves embrace
But thee memory shall be cherished till we see thy heavenly face

3. Schaletzke, Emma Mother 1870-1839

4. Schaletzke, Edward Father 1859-1941

Row III:
1. Bauer, Mary M. Jun 14, 1886 - Dec 1, 1910
The path of sorrow and that alone leads to the land where sorrow is unknown

2. Bauer, William F. Jul 6, 1892 - Sep 3, 1911
The golden gates were open wide, A gentle voice said come
And angels from the other side, Welcomed our loved one home

3. Bauer, John H. Jul 6, 1892 - Sep 3, 1911
(Same verse at Row III #2, enclosed with cement with Row III #2)

Row IV:
1. Melkora
Fritch
Fritch
Melkora
Feb 1972 (carved wooden headboard - painted flowers)

2. Our gift to God
Thomas Justin - Jon D
Oct 18, 1974; Oct 24

3. Rock of Ages
Tornow, Daniel Fredrick
born Fasan Germany May 29, 1844 died Aug 12, 1909
To forget is vain endeavor, Love's remembrance last longer

4. Rock of Ages
Tornow, Louise
Jan 22, 1838 - Nov 13, 1910
Rest, Mother, rest in gentle sleep
While friends in sorrow o'er thee sleep

5. (small flat broken stone, pieces piled together, initials J.T. scratched on one -- probably John Tornow; the Wild Man of the Wynoochee)
--No longer any flat stones, but two round rocks and three wooden stakes.

Row V:
1A. Mother: Caroline A. Graham
8 Feb 1915 - 18 Dec 1978
The Lord is my Shepherd

1B. Graham, Norman L
In memory of Oct 1945

2. Graham, Roanld L. "Sonny" 1942-1945
of such is the kingdom of heaven

3. Mass, Ernest W. Father 1836-1906

4. (Cement base only - stone gone) (between two Mass)

5. Mass, August 1886-1955

6. Mass, Lucy E 1897-1947

Row VI:
Atkings, Tillie died Apr 26, 1916 aged 58 yrs

2. Kohlmeir, W. K. (small plastic grave marker - no dates)

3. Kohlmeir, Caroline 1850-1941 (small plastic marker)

4. Small metal stake

5. Hollatz, Anna E 1882-1897

6. Hollatz, Robert Father born March 11, 1833; died Jul 21, 1908

Wilhelmine Mother b Nov 24, 1830 d. Nov 19, 1905
(Ruhet sanft an ever gruft; Bis euih Chr--us wieder ruft)

7. Hollatz, Herman Jan 9 1864 - Jul 11, 1923
The--- ---------; To------------

8. Hollatz, Julius J. 1874-1939
Annie H. 1878-1958

Row VII: 1. Thompson, William L 1903-1974

2. Hollatz, John H. PFC US Army Word War II 1907-1978




While I was out exploring cemeteries I found a very nice lobster mushroom.





I was surprised to find a lobster in the summer, I though they were just a fall mushroom. But we are having a lot of rain this July. I've been told that Chanterelles can be found after the 4th of July on most years too. With all the rain this week I think I will find some mushrooms next week.

I will have to take my Jeep though. My little station wagon is not running. I suspect it's the alternator. The car has a new battery but it will not start unless it is jumpstarted.