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Lookback: Cemeteries scene of scandal, heartbreak

The plain stone of Mathew Gatewood is located beside the alley in the Cook-Riverview Cemetery on Juliana Street. The inscription reads: Mathew Gatewood. (Photo by Bob Enoch)

Editor’s note: The following item is a reproduction of historic newspaper items and contains language that would not be used today.

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Our Cemeteries

We have often called the attention of the authorities to the fact that the cemeteries in and near the city are nightly the stage of disgraceful scenes. Our attention was again called to this subject during the week by several gentlemen who report that men and women can be found every night and that their actions are disgraceful. Such acts of desecration in the homes of the dead should be promptly ferreted out and punished. In addition to this, we are told that the monuments and tomb stones are disfigured, broken and defaced by these vandals. The authorities should put a stop to these outrageous debaucheries and desecrations at once.

Parkersburg Weekly

Sentinel

March 27, 1880

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Matt. Gatewood Dead

Mathew Gatewood, well known as the faithful old sexton of Riverside [Riverview] cemetery, died suddenly yesterday afternoon at his home in Riverside, at the age of about sixty years. The cause of his death was heart trouble. He had a siege of grippe, but went to work too soon afterwards, and while digging a grave had overdone himself. He was sitting in a chair at the time of his death and was supposed to be getting better, when he suddenly fell over sideways and expired almost instantly. He came here from Richmond several years ago, and was known as a quiet, unobtrusive citizen. The funeral will take place tomorrow afternoon from the Zion Baptist Church. The deceased leaves a wife but no children.

The trustees of Riverview cemetery have donated a lot for the burial of their late faithful sexton of that cemetery, Matthew Gatewood, and his remains will be interred in that cemetery.

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New Sexton

Jacob Johnson is acting in the capacity of sexton of Riverview cemetery, until the board of directors can fill the vacancy caused by the death of Matthew Gatewood, the former sexton.

Parkersburg Daily

State Journal

May 19, 1890

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Cemetery for Colored People

The colored people of this city will soon have a cemetery of their own in the near future.

The matter has been under consideration among them for several years, and some time ago committees were appointed by the different colored churches with power to confer together and purchase the ground necessary.

Some months ago they secured an option on a piece of land near the city, but when the owner learned for what it was to be used he refused to let them have it.

We are informed that they have now purchased 17 acres on Sand Plains near the old Gardway place and that three acres will be laid off in cemetery lots and a house built on it for the use of the sexton.

The remaining portion will be held by them for the same purpose as it is required.

Parkersburg Sentinel

March 5, 1892

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Bob Enoch is president of the Wood County Historical Society. Would you like to help preserve our past for future generations? The society offers informative monthly meetings and an interesting, 20-page quarterly newsletter. Dues are just $15./year. Send to: WCHPS, P.O. Box 565, Parkersburg, WV 26102.

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