MCPCRP
Neal's Comments | Neal's Commentary | Emails from Beaver Creek | October Email from Jo Ann Squire
Beaver Creek Cemetery Work
July 23, 2005
[pic 008]
(l-r)Lonnie Thurneau, Gene Squire, Bud Counsell [pic 007]
A well deserved "ATTA-BOY/GIRL" goes to the individuals whovolunteered to assist with the restoration of the Beaver Creek Cemetery,outside the Ghost Town of Brownville, Iowa, in Mitchell County today.(7/23/05).
Much was accomplished despite high temperatures and humidity to match.Jo Ann Squier explained that this is the first step in the totalrestoration here. Talk of a metal arch entrance was discussed by oneperson and they volunteered to build it.
Neal Du Shane
[pic 008]
(l-r)Lonnie Thurneau, Gene Squire, Bud Counsell [pic 007]
A well deserved "ATTA-BOY/GIRL" goes to the individuals whovolunteered to assist with the restoration of the Beaver Creek Cemetery,outside the Ghost Town of Brownville, Iowa, in Mitchell County today.(7/23/05).
Much was accomplished despite high temperatures and humidity to match.Jo Ann Squier explained that this is the first step in the totalrestoration here. Talk of a metal arch entrance was discussed by oneperson and they volunteered to build it.
Neal Du Shane
Loren Meyer -- [pic 013]
Loren Meyer Left, Lonnie Thurneau Right -- [pic 035]
Tombstone for Mary Linda -- [pic unt-5]
Nice "over-all" picture of Beaver Creek -- [pic unt-6]
Jo Ann Squire & Cheryl Jahnel -- [pic squijahn]
Gene Squire, Bud Counsell, Loren Meyer and Lonnie Thurneau -- [pic genesqui]
Kathy Pike, Jessi Erwin, Vivian Du Shane, Tommy Pike and Loren Meyer -- [pic kathypik]
Vivian Du Shane, Cheryl Jahnel, Jo Ann Squire, Gene Squire -- [pic vividuss]
Commentary by Neal Du Shane
Saturday July 23, 2005 found a group of some ten individuals, thathave an interest in Mitchell County Pioneer Cemeteries, gathered atBeaver Creek Cemetery ¼ mile east of the ghost town ofBrownville, Iowa, in Mitchell County. Hot and humid seemed to sumup the forecast, weather wise.
While Beaver Creek Cemetery doesn’t officially qualify as aPioneer Cemetery, as defined by the State of Iowa (6 or lessburials in the past 50 years), but it is approaching this designation.
The restoration is needed to keep the honor of those buried therein the lime light of the area. In one short year this location wouldbe over run with weeds, trees, grass, potentially becomingderelict -- if not maintained and cared for.
The former town of Brownville, for which this cemetery wasestablished, has all but disappeared with the passage of time;only a few people have memories of its existence. A few picturesstill exist of the store and a few other points of interest inBrownville. The original Brownville Bridge which spanned theriver, for the dam and mill, is now being used on the bike/naturetrail between McIntire and Riceville. The Park and Shelter Houseare still there and maintained at Brownville. But little elseremains of this former bustling community.
For several weeks coordination of this restoration event has beenunderway -- spearheaded by Jo Ann and Gene Squier. Jo Ann andGene Squier have been maintaining the cemetery for years; mowing,trimming and generally keeping a watchful eye on its remote and hiddenlocation. Once located, this is one of the more beautiful locations ofall the cemeteries in Mitchell County.
Those assisting today were: Tommy Pike, Kathy Pike, Jessi Erwin,Cheryl Jahnel, Gene Squire, Monte Kloberdanz, Lonnie Thurneau,Bud Counsell, Loren Meyer, Jo Ann Squier and Vivian Du Shane.
Appreciation and gratitude go out to all who participated, from theMitchell County Pioneer Cemetery Restoration Project (MCPCRP).
Neal Du Shane
Some Relevant Emails
7/23/05 from Jo Ann Squier:
Monte and the Pike's trimmed shrubs, bushes, and trees for over4 hours. They are good workers to say the least. Loren Meyerstayed and helped a lot. Gave us good pointers, and methods. We were able to straighten, and reset over 12 stones. Some ofthem were sizeable. It took the tractor and loader to get themlifted.
I guess I spent about 7 hours there myself, and Gene just camecrawling home (almost literally) after 9 hours. The last twoheadstones, he worked alone, ran into trouble with roots, andhad to reset a large stone by himself as it got rolled out with theroots! Anyway, it was a big day, got lots done. Much more thanI had hoped for.
Then, of course, Vivian came to the rescue with some muchappreciated lunch. She gave me the interesting details about theDavid McLaughlin (actually from David, and the town was namedfor him). I had no idea that we had someone famous buried inBrownville.
I shall try and get Kersh to do a little follow up story about ourday. Other than the ones I have mentioned the others who camewere - Bud Counsell, Lonnie Newhouse, and Cheryl Jahnel. Theyalso put in several hours each, and worked just as hard as therest.
Hope all is well with you out there in the sunny west.
7/23/05 from Cheryl Jahnel
Neal,
Loren really helped with the leveling of a huge marker as well asplacing several headstones back on the base with the epoxy. Hehas a good heart and willing hands to help.
JoAnn mentioned setting another work day.
From: Jo Ann Squier
Sent: Sunday, October 09, 2005
Subject: Beaver CreekHi Neal,
Just to update you with the progress we have made at Beaver CreekCemetery.
I think Gene is shutting down for this year. He sure has spent a lot oftime up there. All the broken stones with the exception of the one thatis still a mystery are glued and back on bases. All the tipped stonesare upright on either their own bases or new ones. Part of the smallstones that are really sunk down are raised and have cement poured aroundthem. So all that is left in that category is to still work at raisingany of the sunken stones. Figure out where the two pieces of stones go--I think I have one figured out as the top part of one that is still standingon it's base. Not sure how it will get fit back where it belongs as ithas weathered quite badly. Possibly will have to grind it smooth, andthen glue it.
The other on-going project is that I have about two thirdsof the stones scrubbed and looking much better. Some of the big oneshave taken over two hours each to get them done, but they look so nicenow. I will keep working on them until the weather gets too cold. Hopeto get them done this year, but will finish next year for sure.
The driveway is cleared out. Still needs some hand work grubbing thesmall roots, but that looks better also. There is a huge pile to burn,but we will have to wait until winter so as not to start a fire in theneighbors pasture.
We are still waiting for loads of dirt if the County crew gets a chanceto get it there. It is badly needed. There was a little pile in thedriveway area so Gene was able to fix up a couple of the burials thathad sunk somewhat. They will need grass seed, and will get that donein the spring.
Jo Ann Squier
Copyright 2005 - all rights reserved - MCPCRP
Updated July 29, 2005
Updated Oct. 13, 2005
Updated July 29, 2005
Updated Oct. 13, 2005