Annual cemetery walk honors Oswego’s past

By Kris Verhage For Chronicle Media
Oswego resident Dick Krase portrays Charles Murdock at a past Oswego Cemetery Walk.(Photo courtesy of Stephenie Todd)

Oswego resident Dick Krase portrays Charles Murdock at a past Oswego Cemetery Walk.(Photo courtesy of Stephenie Todd)

Some of the “ghosts” of Oswego’s past will appear briefly Thursday night at the Oswego Township Cemetery.

The Oswego Public Library and the Oswegoland Heritage Association again are presenting its annual Oswego Cemetery Walk between 7 and 9 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8. Rain date is Friday, Oct. 9. The cemetery is at the south end of Main Street. Admission is free.

Last year’s event attracted more than 400 visitors, said Stephenie Todd of the heritage association, who’s organizing the walk with Nancy Finley, adult services librarian.

“It really is a lot of fun,” Todd says.

Under the cover of darkness, guides will lead groups of visitors to the gravesites of some of Oswego’s early residents. Actors dressed in period costumes will tell their life stories.

“We always encourage people to be respectful of those who are buried in the cemetery,” Todd says.

The life story of each person has been researched and documented, she says. Each actor will have quite a tale to share, she previews.

Visitors will “encounter” James Cliggitt, who Todd describes as “a very, very capable man. He’s got a good life story.”

The life stories of Oswego's early residents are shared during the annual Oswego Cemetery Walk, which is scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8. (Photo courtesy of Stephenie Todd)

The life stories of Oswego’s early residents are shared during the annual Oswego Cemetery Walk, which is scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8. (Photo courtesy of Stephenie Todd)

Born in 1839 to a large family, Cliggitt and his two brothers fought in the Civil War, she says. James was the only brother to survive the war. His older brother died aboard a hospital ship in Mississippi; his younger brother starved to death, Todd says.

Cliggitt died in 1918 in South Dakota, where he’d been living. His body was returned to Oswego to be buried next to his wife’s, she adds.

And then there’s farm wife Beatrice Woolley Price. Todd learned about her from a booklet Price’s daughter created in honor of her parents’ wedding anniversary.

“The woman had a great sense of humor,” Todd says of Price. “It brings a little levity to what can be a sad program.”

Cliggitt will be portrayed by Gerry Weidert of Oswego, while Price will be played by Aurora resident Jill Orr.

Also, Jacquie Weirich of Oswego will portray Isabella Crothers Jolly (1814-1896); Mike Frost of Montgomery will portray Alfred X. Murdock (1844-1864); and Marcius C. Richards (1840-1928) will be portrayed by Rich LeCropane of Oswego.

Volunteer guides are needed for this year’s event. Actors are being sought for the 2016 walk, Todd says, adding this year’s event was about to be canceled when the five actors stepped up.

Visitors can arrive between 7 and 8:30 p.m., park their cars along Main Street and gather near the kerosene lanterns at the entrance. Small groups will be ushered every five to 10 minutes to the gravesites. The last group will be escorted at 8:30 p.m.

Those attending should bring flashlights, dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. No seating is provided, and there are no reservations.

For more information or to volunteer, contact Stephenie Todd at (630) 554-2321 or Nancy Finley at (630) 978-1024.

 

 

 

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