Murdered by Human Wolves

Within the grass of Konawa Cemetery, Kenowa, Oklahoma, the grave of Katherine Cross is most memorable for the epitaph: Murdered By Human Wolves. In a continuation of her sad story the gravestone was stolen in 2016.

Her gravestone was engraved with an arch, open gates, and a star.
The arch is a symbol of triumph and victory in death. It also represents being joined with a partner in Heaven. Open gates symbolize the soul entering heaven. The star piercing the darkness symbolizes the spirit overcoming evil and rising to heaven.

Source: http://www.405magazine.com/October-2013/77-Counties/

There are many legends surrounding her death including a fictional account in a novel written by Steven E. Wedel.

The facts: Katherine was the first born child of ten to John Taylor Cross and his wife, Mary Katherine Diehl Cross.
Katherine Dau. Of J.T. & M.K. Cross Mar. 13, 1899 Oct. 10, 1917 

An arrest and charge of first degree murder was made against Dr. Yates, a Konawa physician, for performing what is believed to be an abortion on Katherine who was three months pregnant. The father of the child was Fred O’Neil, the married principal of the Vamoosa School.

Source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7423442

Seminole County News later reported that Katherine’s death was downgraded from first-degree murder to first-degree manslaughter.

 

Korean War Veterans Memorial

The Korean War Veterans Memorial at the west end of the Mall near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. was created by Frank Gaylord, a Vermont sculptor. The memorial was intended to “confront visitors with the reality of actual war” without glorifying it.

The sculptures cast in stainless steel represent American soldiers in their rain ponchos making their way through the rough terrain of Korea wooded areas. Various branches of the armed forces are represented including fourteen Army personnel, three Marines, one member of the Navy, and one member of the Air Force. The sculptures also represent an ethnic cross section of American society; fourteen Caucasians, three African-Americans, two Hispanics, one Oriental, and one Native American soldier. Regardless of where you are situated at the memorial, one of the soldiers will always be looking at you.

Source: https://www.aviewoncities.com/washington/koreanwarmemorial.htm

Source: https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2015/10/12/korean-war-veterans-memorial-gets-1m-donation-from-samsung/

A black granite mural wall almost 164 feet long complements the statues. Designed by Louis Nelson it consists of forty-one panels showing 2,400 etched faces of military support personnel, (nurses, truck drivers, medics and chaplains) and equipment from all the branches of the armed forces.

Creative Commons License, Wally Gobetz. Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/wallyg/3630221015

The Korean War Memorial was dedicated in 1995 by President Bill Clinton and President Kim Young-sam of South Korea.

Our Nation honors her Sons and Daughters who answered the call to defend a Country they never knew and a people they never met. 1950 Korea 1953

Flora In Remembrance

Most people understand an olive branch as a symbol of peace. It can also be meant as fruitfulness, purification, and victory. The laurel wreath was first worn by the ancient Romans in parades after triumph in battle where it was viewed as a prize and a sign of divine blessing. The laurel is an evergreen thought to have purifying powers that could result in immortality.

The ivy is symbolic of conviviality (gaiety or joviality). A wreath and festoon together symbolize memory.

The Palm is a plant whose leaves resemble a hand. Originally a military symbol of victory, it was adapted into Christianity as a symbol of Christ’s victory of death. Often seen as an attribute of martyrdom and eternal peace.

A century plant can live between 10 and 30 years. It derives its name from the fact that it blooms only once before dying at the end of a long life. It represents everlasting life and immortality.

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The fern is a symbol of sincerity, sorrow, grief and hope to grieving loved ones.

Messina Mother & Child

An earthquake which occurred on 28 December 1908 in Sicily and Calabria with a magnitude of 7.1 almost completely destroyed the cities of Messina and Reggio Calabria. 157,000 lives were lost due to the fact that most people were asleep and killed outright, or buried alive in their beds as their houses collapsed on top of them. As a result of the earthquake a 39 foot tsunami struck Messina causing more devastation and death.

This monument is in memory of a mother and child who were victims of the devastating earthquake. The mother who is grasping the bed sheet appears to have been suckling her child when disaster hit. The sculptured figures are surrounded by rubble. Note the stone on the bottom right which appears to resemble a skull.

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/lievescossa/2394756639/

 

Ruminants

The Loyal Order of Moose (L.O.O.M.) is a fraternal charity organization whose motto is Purity, Aid, and Progress.

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B.P.O.E.W. is the acronym for Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World. This charitable service organization has over one million members in the United States. Headstones will often be decorated with elaborate B.P.O.E. symbols.

The symbol of an elk is also adopted by the Independent Order of Foresters (I.O.F.) Originally created for mutual aid and protection (voluntary reciprocal exchange of resources and services for mutual benefit) in 14th century England. It is a mutual organization caring for the sick.

The Story of Life

Book memorials are often found in cemeteries. A popular form is the book as a double page spread bearing vital statistics and epitaphs concerning the deceased. A closed book recognizes the fact that the story of the deceased is over.

This young man was a lawyer which explains the multitude of books. Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/116460340345537621/

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/karl_is/8416620519/

Source: https://www.facebook.com/heritage4nsics/photos/a.491990557526022.112589.141832215875193/492010157524062/?type=1&theater

Source: http://lichtschrijver.deviantart.com/art/From-the-grave-360210424

Source: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSsr=161&GSvcid=9594&GRid=19357712&

More Questions Than Answers

This gravestone is located in St. Nicholas Churchyard in Dalkeith, Midlothian, Scotland. The inscription has disappeared due to weather erosion which is also attacking the sculptured effigies. Although this stone hosts common mortality symbols of Memento Mori in the hourglass, arrows and the skull the remainder is difficult to interpret.

On a humourous note, the skull on the bottom left appears to be wearing sunglasses.

Is the floating image a mother looking down from Heaven on her children? Note how this figure seems to be casually resting on her hand. Is this actually a female or a male as period dress may indicate? What is the triangular shape the figure is holding in the left hand? Are the cherubs below children or representative of angels?

What are the cherubs holding onto? Is it the wings of a winged effigy or a shroud/drape which denotes mourning and often borders a dedication? Or is the entire scene related to a Fraternity?

What is the boat shaped item? A similar symbol is found in the Old Town Cemeteries in Stirling, Scotland.

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/europealacarte/2245476877/in/dateposted/