Bracken-Sowers Cemetery Restored clipping 1936

SOWERS, BRACKEN

Posted By: Linda H. Meyers (email)
Date: 6/18/2009 at 13:03:23

OLD CEMETERY BEING RESTORED

To those of us who are interested in the proper care and upkeep of cemeteries, it is a pleasure to note that the Bracken-Sowers cemetery, in the grove southeast of Story City, is now about to become a beauty spot, instead of a shameful looking spot; and our old pioneer friends and their children will be remembered, their resting place will be beautified and honored because they are buried there, instead of being forgotten as heretofore.

A cemetery association has been organized and executive officers elected. At the Sowers family re-union of 1936, the main topic for discussion was the beautification of the Bracken-Sowers cemetery.

It was unanimously decided at this meeting that the secretary of the association set a date and notify all members, all agreeing to come and clear the yard of noxious weeds and brush. I believe Sept. 12 was set as the date. Very many came to work and in a few hours the place was so changed that Aladdin himself could not have improved upon it with his magic lamp.

This is a great start, but there is much more to do; nice good fence on the proper lines; setting up fallen monuments that have been pushed over; straightening and leveling the leaning monuments. (Remember that no cemetery is nice when monuments are leaning or about to topple over) ; cutting grass and leveling ground so it can be mowed, and, last but not least getting a public road to it.

The township, county or state is, according to law, bound to furnish and pay for a road to a cemetery. The law-makers some years ago made a law just for such a case as this, and the Bracken Sowers cemetery association will demand a road to their cemetery, and if properly handled will get it.

From a sentimental standpoint we all should be interested in this undertaking:
1st. Because it is the oldest burying ground in these parts. A daughter of Robert Bracken was buried there in 1853. In fact, Robert Bracken picked out a beautiful spot and donated the ground for this cemetery.
2nd. Many of our dear early pioneers are resting there, among many, the first teacher who taught school here.
3rd. A veteran of the Civil war is also resting here, the first of the veterans to die in this community.
4th. It is located on a hill overlooking the river and has many natural qualifications to become a beautiful spot.

Let us all encourage and, if we can, help the Sowers family to change "that cemetery over near the old Kittle Olson place," to a beauty spot that we can go to and enjoy.
Let the splendid work and interest continue. --L.J.T.

(This article was accompanied by two photos including these captions: "Photographs taken of the old burying ground south of the place where the Arvie Jacobson dairy farm is located." "This view was taken before recent clean-up" "Here is how the place looks after weeds and underbrush had been cleared away")

---from the Story City Herald after Sept. 12, 1936