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A lonely grave
atop a high hill overlooking the "company farm" near Barnum marks the
final resting place of a 15 year old girl who died some time ago.
The grave
under the big oak is that of Esther A. Haskins, whose death occurred
October 24, 1869.
In attempting
to learn more about this pioneer burial, the Boscobel Dial contacted Mrs
Panthea Barnum, 84-year-old niece of Esther’s, who resides in Barnum.
Mrs. Barnum
was formerly Panthea Haskins. Her father, Laverne, and Esther were
brother and sister, children of Mr. And Mrs. Jeduthum Haskins, pioneer
settlers of that Crawford county area.
Mrs. Barnum
knew few of the details of the unusual burial as it occurred before her
birth. But from her and other members of her family, and from Fred
Curtis of Steuben, who was raised on the company farm, this much is
known:
Esther Haskins
was a bright and likeable child who used to love to climb to the point
of a tree-shaded hill over-looking the fertile valley farm being
developed by her father Jeduthum.
Spread out
before her, as it is today, was more than 500 acres of valley land and
in those days the men and horses working the fields must have looked
like tiny
ants.
Sometime
before her 15th birthday, when she became ill and it was known even to
her that she could not live, Esther made a last request-that she be
buried at the site she loved so well.
Today a single
white stone marks the solitary resting place, its inscription is plainly
legible:
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Daughter
of J.F.
and C.A.
Haskins
Died Oct
24, 1869
Age 15
yrs. & 9 Mos.
Esther
A.
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Beneath
the clasped hands engraved on the stone are the words: |
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"It was
Jesus that called her
We
should not complain
For if
we are faithful
We shall
meet again" |
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Mr. and Mrs.
Louise Sabins, who now operate the large Company Farm, knew about the
grave stone and called the Dials's attention to it. Panthea Barnum, who
has a lady caring for her at her home in the village of Barnum, will be
85 June 29. her children are Mrs. George Kreutz(Bessie), Detroit, Sister
Theresa(Goldie), Ladysmith; LaVern, at home; Frank, Chicago; Edward,
Wauwatosa; Mrs. Francis McCormick(Wilma), Seneca; Mrs. Tony
Porter(Mildred), Stevens Point.
Although her
recollections of recent events is not to good, she can recall pioneer
days quite well and cherishes memories of the years spent on the farm.
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