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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 2, 2022)
Wednesday, February 2, 2022 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Roundabout SISTERS Bill Bartlett Columnist Buried in history It9s a difficult word choice in describing the his- toric Camp Polk Cemetery, sometimes called Pioneer Cemetery. It9s also known by old-time families as Hindman Cemetery, labeled after the family of the same name who settled there once the Army camp closed in 1866. John Hayes has written extensively about the cem- etery, at one point saying: <The cemetery was estab- lished when the growing number of white settlers in the area needed a proper place to bury their dead. In 1880, the Hindman family set aside a portion of their homestead for that purpose. Although the cemetery was not associated with the mili- tary post, the name Camp Polk prevailed. The post office established by the Hindmans on their property bore the name Camp Polk and was recognized by both local residents and travelers.= At first glance in walking the two-acre site, the word <disheveled= came to mind, but <rumpled= seem more fit for a place of such history and importance in Sisters Country9s legacy. Nobody will describe it as tidy, uncluttered, or well ordered. But that is part of its charm. If you haven9t made the short drive to this remarkable site, you are encouraged to do so and take children or grand- children along. Kids always like going to graveyards. Don9t ask me why. There will be nothing ghoulish to excite them as the place is free of imposing headstones, myste- rious mausoleums, or witchy arbors, although many of the trees and nearly all of the shrubbery is in need of some overdue pruning. It doesn9t have a hal- lowed-ground feel like a veterans9 cemetery, notwith- standing the many graves of veterans from both World Wars, Korea, and Vietnam. At least two dozen U.S. flags adorn various plots. Old Glory stands at the entrance, a little off center yet in good repair, not faded. Volunteers and family descendants keep the place looking relatively cared for. There are scores of long-last- ing artificial flower arrange- ments which, from a distance, almost look real given the state of the art in such things. Various dilapidated fences, benches, and ornaments give pause to wonder about the stories of both the buried and those who buried them. Turns out, nobody owns the place. At least no person or entity is listed in coun- try records. No taxes are assessed. Maintenance is 100 percent volunteer. But don9t assume you or your loved ones can be buried there in spite of no formal manage- ment. The plots are all taken, as in <possession is 9/10ths of the law= taken. Family plots go back 140 years. While I only found marker number 323 as the highest number of burials, records list 325. It is widely assumed that a few dozen more are buried there as well in unmarked graves. Thomas Summers may be the old- est who was laid to rest, way back in July of 1880, as was Nellie Claypool that November. James Taylor, when buried in September of 1896, was 90 4 ancient by 19th-century standards. He9s a chap I9d like to have met. PHOTO BY BILL BARTLETT 15 PHOTO BY BILL BARTLETT What struck me the most was the headstone of Lawrence Claypool, who lived six days and was buried in April of 1881. A number of other graves are those of very young children as was usual for the last part of the 19th century before diphtheria, scarlet fever, and other dis- eases of the era were defeated by modern medicine. These markers will get the attention of any kiddos who tag along with you. The last recorded burial was that of Dallas D. Rollins Hallingstad, laid to rest in August of 2020. Others will follow, those that are part of a family plot. Sigmund Freud said that a high appreciation of death humor was a mark of matu- rity. Well, be prepared to find a goodly amount of death humor at Camp Polk Cemetery. Cowboy boots and hats, lariats, horse shoes 4 these are a few of the accou- trements hanging about, such as at the wooden head- stone of Rodger J. Hall, The Cowboy Preacher <who rode into glory with his boots on.= Elsewhere as you stroll the grounds on trodden, well- worn paths laid out in no par- ticular order, you will find many mirthful opportunities. As well you will discover that a number of cemetery residents are buried with their beloved pets. A distinct sign of life in Camp Polk Cemetery are the nearly dozen well-preserved bird houses affixed in vary- ing locations. No doubt they are occupied during nesting season, their occupants sing- ing to the dead. It9s all rather tranquil, the cemetery, overlooking a meadow on two sides. To find your way from town, go out Camp Polk (the continu- ation of North Locust Street) for close to three miles and make the hard right where it meets Wilt Road. Drive about 300 yards to the first place you can turn left 4 Cemetery Road 4 and take it the quar- ter mile to where it dead-ends. (Did I just say <dead= ends?) Let Us s Help You Get Ge et Thro Through T h r o ugh hro h One-of-a kind custom ironwork hand-forged right here in Sisters . . . R E T N I W ls Sn ow Shove kes a R Roof Snow very ellets & Deli Wood Fuel P on Pipe Insulati ore! Ice-melt & M VALENTINE’S IN WINNEMUCCA, NV FEB 11-13, 2022 l $154 PPDO Includes 3 days/2 nights, deluxe motorcoach transport, hotel, $20 free slot play, $15 food coupon. OREGON 5- CASINO TOUR FEB. 27- MAR. 1 | $549 PPDO “Your Local Welding Shop” CCB# 87640 541-549-9280 | 207 W. Sisters Park Dr. | PonderosaForge.com Gypsy Wind Clothing Heading Need a for the Winter Sun? Warmer? We have a full line of travel & resort wear! Sizes small to 3X We have warm & cozy winter clothes! WINTER WINT WI NTER NT ER H HOURS: OURS OU RS WED.-SAT., WED WE D 11 AM TO 4 PM; CLOSED SUN./MON./TUES. • 183 E. HOOD AVE., SISTERS Hours: M H M-F F 8 t to 5 5, S Sat. t 8 t to 4 4, Cl Closed dS Sundays d 440 N. Pine St. • 541-549-8141 • www.hoyts.net UKULELE Learn the fundamental skills of playing ukulele, reading and playing chords, strumming technique, and a little fingerpicking. No musical experience needed. Bring your ukulele or we can provide one. Wednesdays 6-7:30 p.m. February 3-March 9 REGISTER ONLINE AT SISTERSRECREATION.COM 541-549-2091 1750 W. McKinney Butte Rd. Sisters, Oregon Includes stops at Spirit Mountain, Chinook Winds, Three Rivers, The Mill & Seven Feathers. Min. 16 pp or surcharge applies. 1 night Lincoln City and 1 night The Mill. SPRINGTIME IN BRANSON/ CNTRY MUSIC FEST. APRIL 19-26 l STARTING AT $2,549 PPDO Enjoy 20-22 acts on the music festival weekend, plus more, including Silver Dollar City theme park too! SAN JUAN ISLAND CRUISE AUG. 14-18 | $2,249 PPDO (Subject to air availability) Includes air, taxes, transportation, 1 pre- and post-night in Bellingham, WA, 2 nights in Friday Harbor, 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner. VICTORIA, BC SEPT. 18-22 | $1,699 PPDO Includes air, taxes, 4 nights at Embassy Inn, 4 breakfasts, Victoria and Butchart Gardens tour, whale-watch cruise, high tea at The Empress and more. Connie Boyle 541-508-1500 Box 615 Sisters, OR 97759