Available now for $15 and Saturday November 23, 2019 at the Canoe Homecoming in beautiful downtown Canoe, Ala.
The use of Williams Station's original cemetery continued through the first decade of the 20th century. Thereafter, many bodies were removed to Oak Hill Cemetery. Yet in the quite, lonely cemetery at the west end of Church Street rests the memories of an earlier time.
Some of the graves were merchants and business owners. Some were saw mill workers who came to the Williams Station earn a living. One example is Nick Reaves. According to The Atmore Record of November 17, 1910, the young man suffered a badly mangled hand and arm at the Peavy Mill around November 7, 1910 . Reaves was transported to the forerunner of Mobile Infirmary in Mobile, Alabama where he later died.
Reaves had married Miss Alice Talmage of Greenville in June of the same year and listed himself as a carpenter on the 1910 census. The Atmore Spectrum noted in its November 10, 1910 edition, " He left behind four sisters, Mrs. Fannie Courtney of Buena Vista, Mrs. Mattie Robinson, Mrs. Dora McNiel and Miss Callie Reaves, all of Atmore, and a host of other friends and relatives."
A local citizen of note, Mr. L. G. Beatty is buried in the cemetery as well. Beatty was a local merchant, Woodman of the World and notary. He lived on Pensacola Avenue, and ran for Escambia County Tax Collector at one point. Beatty was married to a close relative of Nicholas Ashley, whose grave is near Beatty's monument. Beatty's funeral was held at the Baptist Church on May 31, 1907. Beatty passed after a ten day battle with pneumonia according to The Atmore Record of June 6, 1907.
One of the more interesting stories of the cemetery is that of Theodore Rufus Barlow. Born in Conecuh County in 1845; he served in Company D of the 7th Alabama Cavalry in the Confederate States Army during The War Between The States. There are likely other Confederates interred in the cemetery but Barlow stands out with perhaps the newest headstone in cemetery. His marker was placed around 2005.
Other headstones express the heartache of loved ones at the untimely departure of one held dear. The inscription on Mrs. Saleta Fowler's headstone reads:
"My own wife has gone.....To mansions above yonder sky....To gaze on the beautiful throne...of Him who is seated on high......Kind angels watch her sleeping dust...Till Jesus comes to raise the just; When may she wake with sweet surprise, And in her Savior's image rise."
Other's passed too early to make their mark as adults but left heartbroken families behind, such as Frank Clinton Gordon, Jr. who was born September 4, 1895 and passed April 19, 1904 at the age of 8. The headstone of young Mr. Gordon reads simply; "The Brave and Noble Little Son of Frank G. and Fannie S. Gordon."
The Atmore Record of April 22, 1904 tells of the sad demise of the young lad: "While riding a horse Tuesday little Clinton Gordon, son of Mr. F. C. Gordon of Canoe, was thrown from the animal and so badly hurt that he died shortly afterwards. On Wednesday morning the remains were brought to Atmore and funeral services were held in the Episcopal Church, Rev. H. R. Walker of Mobile conducting ceremonies. Interment took place at the cemetery at the Methodist Church. The good people of Atmore feel deep sympathy for the bereaved parents."
Some walk the forgotten cemeteries of our area and ponder what occurred between the two dates attributable to the person who resides beneath the spot. Their life, their time, everything they held dear long since gone. It is well to tell their story when possible.
Available now: The Butler Street Chronicles; Selected histories of the communities surrounding Butler Street and will include information on settlers at Steadham, Pond Fork, Sizemore, Sardine, Butler Street, Hollinger and other communities along this route. Pick up your copy for $15 at the Canoe Homecoming Saturday November 23, 2019 from 8am-2pm in beautiful downtown Canoe, Alabama.
Vote for and support the Canoe Landmark District referendum on the 2020 ballot. Call for more details.
Shadows and Dust Volume III: Legacies is available for purchase in the amount of $30.00+$5.00 shipping and handling to PO Box 579 Atmore, AL 36502 or visit Lulu Publishing.com; Amazon.com, Barnes and Nobles.com OR at the Monroe County Heritage Museum in Monroeville, Alabama or by calling 251 294 0293.
The Canoe Civic Club is proud to announce the date of the upcoming Canoe Homecoming in beautiful downtown Canoe from 8am-2pm on Saturday November 23, 2019. Call 251 294 0293 for free vendor spots.
