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From: "John Hewes" <>
Subject: Metal Masonic Tombstones-Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Salt Lake City, UT
Date: Tue, 1 Feb 2000 16:12:13 -0700


I was recently visiting St. Olivet cemetery, and came upon 10 very unique
tombstones. They are in the Mt. Moriah Mason's section, and are all made
entirely of metal. Each tombstone is identitical to the other, except for
the name of the deceased. It appears that originally these tombstones were
coated with some type of stucco, although this has all but worn off now.
Another peculiarity with the tombstones is the fact that they contain names
only (and a masonic emblem), no dates of any kind.

The cemetery was not able to provide any dates as their book had names only
(as well). After a couple of hours of research at the Masonic Library, I was
able to identify five of the ten.

I would like to find out more about why metal tombstones were used, and why
they were used only in that row. I'd also like to know more about the people
who are buried there. I hope to provide this information to those who may be
searching for this information.

I am listing what information I have at this time. These graves are in
section M, row 17:

2: Jesse Franklin Webb, d. July 3, 1884 at the age of 39, Initiated into
the Masons on Aug. 28, 1876. Was born in Indiana.

3: (This marker is not a metal marker, but is found between two that
are)

4: Thomas A. Jenny

5: Joel T. James

6: Samuel Kramer Occupation: dentist, born in Carlena, Russia

7: Oscar Amy

8: John R. Nickless d. Aug 30, 1892, buried sept 2, 1892, was not a
member of Mt. Moriah, but a member of Dewitt Lodge, Sandwich, Mass.

9: Owen J. Cook: Found records of a Mt. Moriah member names Joseph O.
Cook, suspect one and the same; died Oct 10, 1892, buried Oct 12, 1892.

10: Martha Bailey: The only female buried here (no masonic emblem on
this grave). I found record of Theodore Ablert Bailey, buried toe to head
with Martha, I suspect he was her husband. He died March 24, 1899. I could
not find reference to Martha's burial. His plot is section M, row 24, #17.

11: Adolph Davis: d. June 3, 1894, buried June 5, 1894, was not a
member of Mt. Moriah, but a member of Lenhi Lodge (#11), in Idaho.

12: Christian Adam Dahl: d. Sept 4, 1894, buried Sept. 6, 1894, was 54
years of age; was intitiated into the Masons Oct 4, 1875.

Information obtained from Annual Lodge Records, available at the Grand Lodge
Library, in Salt Lake City.

John Hewes

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