Comments on: In The Archives: Highland Cemetery Redux

By: Laura Bien

Laura Bien — Mon, 10 May 2010 11:15:32 +0000

Dear David: Thank you for your very nice comment. It’s probably my favorite spot in Ypsilanti. Seeing the names of people I have read about in the old papers and history books is always a revelation.

By: David Farquharson

David Farquharson — Sun, 09 May 2010 19:41:09 +0000

Laura: Thank you for the “tour.” Highland Cemetery is, by far, one of the most beautiful places in Ypsilanti. I was born and raised in Ypsilanti and spent many a sunny afternoon walking and bike riding in the cemetery with school friends. Now when I visit there I see the graves of relatives, former teachers and coaches . . . and some of those old school friends. Keep up the great work in reviving Ypslanti history.

By: Stefan Szumko

Stefan Szumko — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 17:06:37 +0000

Peter Miller was a master brick mason from Pennsylvania. He lived on River St. Catharine kept house. Not that these facts have anything to do with the mystery artifact.

By: Irene Hieber

Irene Hieber — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 22:31:17 +0000

I have second thoughts about the mystery artifact. I think the entire thing refers to faith. The shield and the arrow are referred to in the Bible, Ephesians 6;16 “Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” The scroll is a reference to scripture that point ot God in heaven, the promise of life after death in the presence of Jesus Christ.

By: Christopher

Christopher — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 01:49:35 +0000

I’m fascinated by the fact that some of the gravestones bear the marks of societies to which the deceased belonged. Those societies must have had an enormous impact on their lives, if they wanted to make them a permanent part of their deaths. Or, is it possible that the societies paid for the gravestones (burial expenses were once a perq of society membership) and used them as a kind of advertising?

In today’s bland burial monument traditions, there’s nothing like it. (I could be wrong – I ought to stop in at Arnet’s and ask.)

By: Irene Hieber

Irene Hieber — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 00:00:56 +0000

I suggest the arrow, the scroll & the upward pointing finger is just a symbol of the death of a person of faith who was taken into the presence of God. Interestingly, the shield on the front was used as a symbol for Civil War soldiers. The date of 1875 might suggest that as well.

By: Eric Anschuetz

Eric Anschuetz — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 21:16:39 +0000

Great series of articles on Highland Cemetery, Laura! You are correct, in all seasons, Highland Cemetery is one of the most beautiful places in Washtenaw County. I especially love the fall foliage.

By: cmadler

cmadler — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 19:34:25 +0000

I (mis)read the date on Peter’s gravestone as Apr 9, hence the 11 days. It’s hard to make out those faded inscriptions on my computer!

By: Laura Bien

Laura Bien — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 13:10:17 +0000

cmadler: Your theory was interesting and made me want to check it out.

A GENDIS search reveals that a Catherine Miller died in Ypsilanti on 29 March 1875 at age 68 of “Heart Disease,” and that a Peter Miller died in Ypsilanti on 29 Apr. 1875 at age 72 of “Congestion Lung.”

Which doesn’t rule out your theory, especially given the state of medicine at that time.

By: cmadler

cmadler — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 12:59:09 +0000

The arrow denotes mortality. The scroll is a symbol of life and time, and can also suggest honor and commemoration. The hand is again upward-pointing, referring to ascension to heaven after death. If I’m reading the dates right, it looks like this couple died 11 days apart (and both in their 70s), which makes me think that their deaths were somehow connected: an illness that killed them both, some accident or catastrophe that killed Catherine and injured Peter resulting in his later death. Putting all of this together, I’m guessing at some kind of particulatly righteous death (for example, contracting a fatal illness while tending to sick people, or death while on a mission).