Tiffany Stenger portrays 19 year old, Cora Bell Glasscock, at Sunday's
Cemetery Walk, in Sulphur Springs City Cemetery, and is complete with
her "singing canary," Willie.

 

Sunday Cemetery Walk "Uncovers"
Rich Hopkins County Heritage

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

 

Sam Mercer stands sentinel at the grave of Lt. Col. James A. Weaver,
a Civil War hero and later an early Hopkins County Sheriff and businessman.

 

 

Sunday afternoon was a beautiful day in Sulphur Springs and a large crowd of residents made their way to the Sulphur Springs City Cemetery for the 1st Annual Hopkins County Genealogical Society Cemetery Walk. "We were excited with almost 100 people who came out and attended the event," expressed event organizer, Sandra Glenn. "We didn't know what to expect, it being our first effort, but we'll definitely have another one, and the possibilities are endless with over 6,000 graves in the cemetery. There is history everywhere you look!"

"I was very pleased with the interest and the re-enactors were wonderful," expressed local historian, John Sellers, as he completed his second tour of the cemetery, as tour guide. "We had outstanding questions and were able to tell additional history, as we made our way from station to station, throughout the cemetery!"

Sellers "briefed" the groups on much of the general history of the Sulphur Springs City Cemetery, telling them that "California Street" was named for the California Gold Rush and that Dr. Houston, an herbal doctor and owner of the original land where the cemetery lies, called his section of the city "New California."

 

Kay Ashcroft recounts the early life of Elizabeth Ashcroft, an early settler in
Hopkins County, before the Civil War.

 

The first stop on the tour found Kay Ashcroft, portraying her husband's early ancestor, Elizabeth Ashcroft, who came to Hopkins County from "the Old South," and was the mother of Matt Ashcroft, of Civil War fame.

Next, participants moved to the station and grave of Lt. Col. James A. Weaver, where Sam Mercer portrayed his early ancestor in complete Civil War regalia. Weaver gained fame in the Civil War and came back to serve as an early Hopkins County Sheriff. He is buried in the Northwest corner of Sulphur Springs City Cemetery beside his two wives, who were sisters and members of the Rogers family.

 

 

 

 

 

The City of Cumby's namesake, Confederate Brigadier General Robert H. Cumby, was the next stop, portrayed by one of his men, who served as a member of the Home Guard, by Charles Bolding. Bolding told participants that the Home Guard was responsible for helping war widows and children survive during the rough times, following the Civil War. "This was rough country for anyone who lived here, especially the widows and orphans of Confederate Soldiers," related Bolding. "Renegades, marauders, and many men of 'ill repute' were roaming the countryside plundering and taking advantage of the weak!"

 

Charles Bolding captured the life and times of Cumby's namesake,
Confederate Brigadier General, Robert H. Cumby, as he fought in the
Civil War and returned to Hopkins County.

 

 

Then, "up from the grave" rose the melodious voice of  John Fanning Youngblood, at the next stop. Youngblood, known as "the singing preacher," was an early brick mason, Baptist minister, and conducted singing schools throughout Hopkins County. He was portrayed by none other than our own vocalist, Mike Dodd.

 

Singing preacher, John Fanning Youngblood, who lived to be a "ripe" old 101 years of age,
had five wives, was a brick mason, and conducted services as a Baptist minister, and
hosted singing schools throughout Hopkins County.

 

 

Pretty little Cora Bell Glasscock and her singing canary, "Willie," were at the next stop. Cora Bell, daughter of early hostelry owners, T.J. and Jennie Glasscock, died of pneumonia at age 19 and her singing canary, "Willie," presented to her by her young lover to "cheer her up," died shortly thereafter of a broken-heart, and is buried beside her, complete with his own small tombstone.

 

 

 

 

Those of you who know Ronny Glossup, knew somewhere he would find the "humor" in the life of Dr. Edwin P. Becton, whom he portrayed. Glossup told participants that "he just couldn't live without a woman," as Dr. Becton, an early Tarrant and Sulphur Springs physician was married to three wives. Becton campaigned to get the County Seat moved from Old Tarrant to Sulphur Springs, and then moved his home in sections to College Street in Sulphur Springs. He had a large stone moved from Tira to use as a "stepping stone" to mount his horse, and the stone still sets in the yard of the home on College Street. Becton died in Austin, Texas, where he was a physician at the School of the Blind, in his last years.

 

Dr. Edwin P. Beckton, portrayed by Ronny Glossup, was an early
Hopkins County physician, and moved his home in sections
from Old Tarrant to College Street in Sulphur Springs.

 

 

 

 

 

With "The Myra Wilson Chapel" in the background, it was only proper that the "Mother of the Sulphur Springs City Cemetery," Myra Wilson was portrayed by Lavyn Sisco, from the "choice corner lot" that served as the final resting place for the lady responsible for much of the landscaping and beautification of the cemetery. Wilson served as president of the Sulphur Springs City Cemetery Association for 43 years and collected many of the funds to preserve the history. Her husband and son were responsible for much of the brick work, in the cemetery.

 

 

"Mother of the Sulphur Springs Cemetery Society," Myra Wilson, was portrayed
by Lavyn Sisco, as the chapel named in her honor is featured in the background.

 

 

 

And, finally, it was the stop of early educator, Sue Connally, that Georgia Salinas portrayed, complete with the ringing of the school bell to begin classes.  A single mother, with two children, Sue Connally devoted her life to public education in Sulphur Springs. She taught at Travis Elementary School for over 50 years, before retiring in 1925. Her students honored her with many accolades, as she imparted wisdom and knowledge to them.

 

Early school marm and historic educator, Sue Connally, is portrayed by
Georgia Salinas, at the last stop on Sunday's Cemetery Walk, in Sulphur
Springs City Cemetery. She taught school in Hopkins County from 1875-1925.

 

 

 

 

Members of the Sulphur Springs Cemetery Society were also on-hand, giving tours of the beautifully restored, Myra Wilson Chapel, with the wonderfully ornate stained-glass windows. The Chapel was resurrected from a lawn mower repair shop, and many of the original windows are still in the chapel, with those that had been "broken out" being fully restored. "Were hoping to have a State Historical Marker for the Cemetery and Chapel, by next year," advised Ruth Mary Hall, as she explained the many hours of work done on the building, as it was "brought back to life!"

 

Members of the Sulphur Springs City Cemetery Society, gave tours of the beautiful Myra Wilson
Chapel.

 

Ruth Mary Hall tells how the beautiful stained glass windows were "uncovered" by the Cemetery Society,
beneath wooden shutters, in a lawn mower repair shop, and fully restored to their glory!

 

 

 

"I can't think of a more interesting way to spend a Sunday afternoon," allowed Nita Bowers, as she completed the tour and "munched" on tea cakes and freshly brewed tea. "This was truly a beautiful afternoon and a wonderful experience learning about some of the early history of Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County."

Plans are already underway for the second Cemetery Walk in the autumn of 2011.

 

 

 

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