A few days ago my husband and I decided to take a little stroll in the Temple Anshe Chesed Cemetery. I know, not your typical mid-week, daytime, activity, but we’ve driven by this landmark many, many times and never taken the time to stop in and look around.
Why the Temple Anshe Chesed Cemetery you ask? I’ll tell you. You see we live in the Baer House, named after the founding family of the home, Lazarus and Leona Baer. Yes, as you probably surmised, they were Jewish. We’ve heard stories and rumors and tidbits of who the Baers were and how they lived, some of which may be true.
Anyway, we decided to take a stroll through the cemetery in search of their tombstones. You see, the Baer family was quite wealthy and of some distinction here in Vicksburg during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. In fact, there was quite the Jewish community here in Vicksburg. Many of the grave markers in the cemetery bear the names of Vicksburgian ancestors still residing here today. Cool!
Not long into our adventure we happened on the Baer plots. Leona’s was quite large and elaborate compared to most of the marble monuments in this hallowed place.
After spending a few minutes visiting the Baer family plot we continued our exploration around the grounds. There is one main walking path that makes a loop, however, in order to read any of the markers one must leave the path and cross the grass. The soggy from recent rain grass.
In one of the lower areas of the cemetery, I ventured off the path to explore some of the newer stones belonging to a family name I recognized. Bad idea. After taking about 3 steps I started sinking – fast. One entire foot got sucked down. Despite my efforts to turn around and retrace my steps, I continued to sink. What an extraordinary feeling. Having one’s foot get sucked into the soil covering a grave. Yikes!
I managed to make it back to the path without losing my shoe, or my soul, but what a creepy sensation. I apologized to the poor corpse resting beneath me and vowed to stay on the walking path from that point forward.
Do you like exploring cemeteries? Ever wonder about the bodies lying beneath the ground; who they were, what they looked like, etc? If you’re a writer, this is an interesting pass time.
Word of the Day: Xerasia
Fun fact about me: I enjoy gambling, but not slot machines.
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, January 2017. Photos courtesy Google Images and Ancestry.com.
Yikes! Perhaps that’s the reason for the old saying, “Never walk across a person’s grave.” I’m glad you were able to extricate yourself! Ew!
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I guess I learned that lesson. It’s hard in cemeteries though because if you want to place flowers or such at the headstone you sometimes can’t avoid walking over other plots. Strange how it’s all arranged and plotted out.
Anyhow, after a rain, stay on the path that’s for sure. It was a strange feeling indeed.
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you’re staying dry out there in soggy California.
Patricia
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When I was in Vicksburg, we drove through the National Cemetery and I stopped to look at the Colored Troop section. It connected to an activity we had covered before Winter Break began – the movie Glory. It was interesting, I am looking forward to visiting again and making another trip to Shiloh with my step mom… strangely we were talking about it last night. She is also the one who took me to Pere La Chaise in Paris – it’s where Jim Morrison is buried. There Ali’s graffiti all over the cemetery – “This way to Jim” and an arrow. Cemeteries are intersting, but it’s a once in a while adventure. How was your ghost weekend?
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The national cemetery is one place I have yet to spend any time. I know, sad. I plan on doing that one of these days. It’s such a sad place to hang out, but one that should be experienced by everyone. So many men died fighting for a cause they believed in. Brave men who did not die in vain.
Cemeteries are indeed interesting but not places I like to frequent. At least it’s usually quiet and peaceful there. A good place to forget about troubles for awhile.
Thanks for visiting and I look forward to a second visit. I’m sure you’ll find Vicksburg a very interesting place to explore.
Patricia
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I like exploring cemeteries, looking at the names, how long they lived, wondering what kind of people they were. It always makes me feel a little forlorn. I think your foot getting stuck in the grave is merely the paranormal side trying to convince you to come to the dark side and write a supernatural story. Heh. I’m with you–gambling is a lot more fun without slot machines, especially blackjack and roulette! Have a great week!
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The dark side calling? Um . . . no. I have the power to defeat the dark side.
I agree that cemeteries can make one feel forlorn especially looking at all the babies and entire families that died within a few days of each other. How sad that “yellow fever” period of history must have been.
Blackjack I love, roulette is okay, but craps is really fun! You can lose a lot of money really ,really fast at that game.
Thanks for visiting. Have a fun week.
Patricia
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I took the Old Sacramento Cemetary to see the graves of Crocker and Wells and other notable Californians. Also been to Sleepy Hollow Cemetary with Louisa May Alcott, Tennyson, Thoreau and others. And we toured graves in New Orleans — all above ground because it’s wet down there 🙂 One of these days we’ll get to Vicksburg and take your soggy tour which sounds right up our alley.
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Exploring the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery sounds like a blast. And the cemeteries in New Orleans are just plain weird. Talk about taking a walk among the dead – wow – that’s crazy. Yet fun at the same time.
I hope you get to Vicksburg soon. We have some interesting places to explore.
Patricia
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One foot in the grave for sure – scary! Glad you were able to free your shoe. 🙂 I do think old cemeteries are fascinating. Cool that you found the Baers’ headstones, one more bit of history you can share with your guests!
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It was a little scary, but mostly just a creepy feeling. I enjoy talking a walk among the tombstones once in awhile. Always a humbling experience that’s for sure.
I also found a copy of Mrs. Baer’s obituary so that’s kind of cool, too.
Thanks for stopping by. Have a lovely week.
Patricia
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Mmm….I did not expect you to mean literally!
Yikes!
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Yes, yikes indeed. I shall never look at those particular plots the same way again. It was that lowest spot down near Clay street where I sunk. I wonder if anyone on the street saw me sinking. Crazy stuff.
Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day!
Patricia
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Zombies! Had to be zombies, tell me are you Kosher? Seriously go walk through, Cedar Hill Cemetery sometimes that is a truly somber and spooky place.
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Zombies?!?! What? Here in Vicksburg? No way. And, no, Mr. Smarty Pants, I am not Kosher. Perhaps that’s why the ground decided to swallow me up. Make me change my ways.
I shall spend some time at Cedar Hill Cemetery one of these days. It’s on my “list.”
Thanks for stopping by, Morgan. Have a great day.
Patricia
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