This is an article written in 1994 by Denise Gamino for the Austin American Statesman
Plot Thickens at State Cemetery.
Historians face many mysteries as extensive restoration continues.
Every morning, the sun spills its warm rays on the polished granite gravestone of Bigfoot Wallace, the 240 pound Texas Ranger whose size was dwarfed only by the legends of his frontier exploits.
“Here lies he who spent his manhood defending the homes of Texas. Brave, honest and faithful”, says his epitaph illuminated by the sun.
But there’s something wrong with this otherwise peaceful scene of Daybreak in the Texas State Cemetery in East Austin. The engraving on the pink granite obelisk should be spotlighted by softer shades of gold coming from the West as the expiring sun sends out its final salute.
Somehow, over time, the marker for Wallace got turned around. Instead of facing west, it now faces east. State officials believe it may have been knocked over during a storm after its original placement in the cemetery in 1899. Repair crews might have replaced it backwards.
The tombstone turnabout was discovered when officials found an old photograph of the state cemetery that shows Wallace’s marker facing West.
It is just one of the many historical mysteries being unearthed at the state’s official cemetery as part of the biggest restoration ever attempted there. State workers hope to solve the perplexing questions through a public appeal for photographs, documents and other information relating to the cemetery that may be tucked away in private collections or family albums.
It’s detective work.
Sometimes there are mysteries we’re trying to solve, but also when you’re looking at photographs and documents, sometimes new things come up that you’re not even aware of at all. Sometimes it raises more questions, but that makes it interesting too.
Restoration of the 18 acre cemetery, which opened in 1851., began this summer after Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock voiced his displeasure with the deterioration that has occurred. Trees were overgrown, roads were in disrepair, monuments had rusted, tombstones were missing, and an ornamental fountain was broken.
Bullock, who plans to be buried in the cemetery, pushed state agencies to restore the cemetery to an honorable condition.
Repairs have begun, but officials are puzzled over how to restore some parts of the cemetery to their original condition. Each historical photograph that is found helps workers determine how to renovate. Here are the unsolved mysteries at the state cemetery.
1. Where is Lieutenant Colonel John Wood buried? A plot map shows his grave located in two spots. 2 What is the original color of the elaborate Gothic cover marking the grave of Albert Sidney Johnston, a general in the Army of the Republic of Texas who was killed at Shiloh? The old photograph that they have of this tombstone shows Elizabeth Ney who carved the tombstone beside the grave, but the base of the monument is made of stonework that no longer can be seen. What happened? 3 Why and when was a greenhouse moved from the capital to the cemetery? 4 Why and when were cast iron gates moved from the capital to the cemetery? 5 where? Did three concrete steps that now end near the caretaker’s home once lead?
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