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The Ties That Bind

The Ties That Bind

Charles Romans

The Ashland Beacon

 

Most people are focused upon life as it moves forward, with only a basic concept of the generations that preceded us. As such, we tend to view things through our current lens and assume things have always operated in much the same way as they do now. Unfortunately, we often seem to have a better grasp of ancient history than we do of only half a dozen preceding generations; a truly unfortunate condition because that is the history that most directly affects us.

However, there are many windows into the past that provide us with an insight into the lives of the generations that have come before us. One such window is that provided by local cemeteries. Far from dark or macabre, the final resting places of ancestors (both personally and as a community) serve as a record of those who went about their daily lives long before we followed in their footsteps. And the names etched upon those stones guide our research when we decide to delve into our shared or personal past.

Lisa Epling is the current president of the board that cares for and administers the Historical Catlettsburg Cemetery. On Oct. 19 the board will be hosting “The Ties That Bind” event at the cemetery, and Epling said that people might be interested to know just who is buried there and what they contributed to the community.

When she first started going to the cemetery, Epling was intrigued by some of the headstones. “I knew we had some semifamous people buried there,” Epling noted. “Like Billy C. Clarke, Charles Manson’s father, and the Hatfields, and they have a historical marker.” This led her to do more research and discover even more interesting things about the cemetery.

One reason for Epling’s research into history, as she said, was her own interest in history. Another reason was that Epling wanted to raise awareness in the community and garner support for the place where generations of residents found their final rest. “It was a bit run down when we took over and we wanted to get help from the community to maintain it in a manner it deserved. For the last three years we have been doing better,” she explained. 

  The walking tour style event is something that Epling has been doing for three years now to continue the pattern of improvement at the cemetery. The tour is free to the public, although the cemetery board does accept donations. “I try to tell people a little about their history, because you can learn a lot of the history of any town from its cemetery. We have mayors buried there, a senator, and a member of the Poage Family is buried there.” Stated Epling.

Epling likes to highlight some of the areas more prominent citizens on the tour. Epling noted that, “I discovered just the other day while doing some research that their a several people buried in the Catlettsburg Cemetery by the name of Tabet. It was interesting because I found out that one of the Tabets was a grocer, and he was originally from Syria.” It is the little gems such as that, the unique finds that one does not expect, that make learning the history of cemeteries – and those buried there – rewarding.

Epling hopes that everyone can come out on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 4 p.m. to learn a little about their community ancestors. Supporting the cemetery with resources, volunteerism, or just helping show other community members its rich history will ensure that it keeps history alive for generations to come.

 

 

 

 

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