Grave of Hugh Muirhead, Oak Ridge Cemetery, Unionville I turned my attention from the grave of Benjamin H. Rich, a young man whose love of football would result in his death in 1897, and scanned the garden of stone known as Oak Ridge Cemetery. It was comforting to see the American flags flapping lazily in … Continue reading Unsolved: The Murder of Hugh Muirhead
Category: Cemetery
Benjamin H Rich: A Fatal Football Game
The memorial marking the plot where Benjamin H. Rich rests, Unionville I passed through the small community of Unionville, in Centre County, and headed toward Oak Ridge Cemetery on the southwestern side of town. Had I not known where to turn for the cemetery, I would have easily passed by it - the sign marking … Continue reading Benjamin H Rich: A Fatal Football Game
Medal of Honor: Patrick Monaghan
Patrick Monaghan, St Joseph's Cemetery, Girardville The Medal of Honor symbolizes the ideals of patriotism, courage, sacrifice, and integrity and is the highest award presented for military valor in action. Those recipients have shown bravery in combat, going above and beyond the call of duty, risking – and often sacrificing – their lives for the … Continue reading Medal of Honor: Patrick Monaghan
Hollenbeck Cemetery: Haunted?
Memorial in Hollenbeck Cemetery Note: I need to place a warning on this article. When I first visited Hollenbeck Cemetery it was in 2008, during the daytime, and done with respect for those buried there. I do not encourage trespassing, after-dark visits, or ghost hunting on sacred pieces of land. Hollenbeck Cemetery has been heavily … Continue reading Hollenbeck Cemetery: Haunted?
The Brief Career of James Ritz
John Ritz rests beneath the worn stone on the left I had arrived at Altoona's Fairview Cemetery to remember two local baseball players who rest within the sacred grounds. On this journey I had been joined by Zech and Jen as we explored the region. We had parked at the top of the hillside, in … Continue reading The Brief Career of James Ritz
John Gochnaur: The Worst Shortstop Ever?
Grave of John Gochnaur, Fairview Cemetery, Altoona Of all the cemeteries I’ve ever been in, Altoona’s Fairview Cemetery was the one that definitely needed some help. From the moment I passed through the gates on Willow Avenue, I was shocked by the condition of the cemetery grounds. The hillside was marred by sunken graves, toppled … Continue reading John Gochnaur: The Worst Shortstop Ever?