Refused a Grave in the Soldier's Lot

I know that it seems  weird to start a blog about headstone pictures and then post an entry that lacks such an image, but here I go, with explanation included.

I found two articles from the Kentucky Times-Star of August 1909 about some controversy over the burial place of Civil War veteran Dennis Boyle. The first one is from August 11 and the second from August 13.

Other microfilmed records I reviewed indicate Mr. Boyle was buried elsewhere in the same cemetery, but when I went to the area where his burial supposedly took place (section 35, lot 249)  I could not find his headstone.

What I have found about him so far is that he was born in Ireland on January 6, 1846, was Catholic and died of what appears to be a urinary disease, but the writing on the death certificate is illegible. He was single and a resident of Newport, KY, before passing away at St Elizabeth's Hospital in Covington.

I have not yet discovered the regiment with which he served - I hope I can find his headstone to get that information, but will keep looking for other sources too.Still, finding his headstone is a high priority and I will continue to look for it and will post a picture when I find it.


Below these articles, I included some information about Evergreen cemetery and a photo of the soldiers' plot.


Refused a Grave in Soldier's Lot
Veteran of Civil War Was Not Member of the G.A.R.
Rules of Nelson Post Prohibit Burial of Non-Members
Funeral of Dennis Boyle Will Be Held Thursday Morning

The refusal of Nelson post, G.A.R., to permit the burial in the soldiers' lot in Evergreen cemetery of the body of Dennis Boyle, soldier of the civil war, caused comment Wednesday morning.  Boyle's death occurred in St. Elizabeth's hospital, Covington, and the body was taken to the home of relatives at 311 West Eight street, Newport. Capt. John Link, who took the matter up with representatives of Nelson post, stated that he and others of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial association transferred the soldiers' lot in Evergreen to the Nelson post when the latter was organized. The only stipulation was, he states, that all soldiers serving during the war and having an honorable discharge should have a burial place in the lot set apart in Evergreen. The records of Nelson post show that a resolution was passed that only soldiers belonging to a post of the Grand Army can be buried on this lot, and the quartermaster in charge was powerless to do otherwise than refuse, unless a special permit is granted by the local post. The funeral will take place Thursday morning, with services in Corpus Christi church.

The second article, two days later.

Statement is Made by Commander
Speaks Regarding Burial of Soldiers in Regular Lot.


Commander C.R. Warner of William Nelson post, G.A.R., of Newport, desires to make a statement on behalf of the post regarding the burial of soldiers in the regular lot in Evergreen cemetery who are not member of the Grand Army. "About twenty years ago, when the Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial association disbanded, the lot was transferred to the Grand Army, with no proviso as to who should or should not be buried in the lot. The post up to this time has maintained the lot, had a stone wall erected to protect the ground from sliding, and only recently an iron flag staff was erected at the expense of the post. Every inducement was offered old soldiers to become members of the Grand Army post. The entrance fee was reduced to a mere nominal sum and the dues are but $2 a year. There is not an old  soldier, I presume, in Campbell county who is not receiving a pension and it would aid in maintaining the post by their becoming members. There are thirty surviving members of William Nelson post and not half that number of burial places remaining in the soldiers' lot. The Grand Army will never permit an old soldier to be buried in potter's field  and it is the desire that every soldier who fought in the civil war become a member of the Grand Army that they may share in its benefits during their lifetime and be given suitable burial when death comes."


Evergreen Cemetery is in Southgate, Kentucky, and during the war a defensive position, known as Shaler Battery, was constructed on cemetery grounds.The earthwork remains there today, though it  has been reconstructed over the years.

Here is a photo of the soldier's lot discussed in these articles. The larger memorials are in a separate section; the soldier's received the normal military headstone with the shield engraved on the front. There are approximately 70 Union veterans buried in this area, with 4 cannon barrels, one in each corner of the plot, and a stone retaining wall along the bottom side of the section. This picture was taken in the fall of 2010, during a pretty severe drought,  so the grass unfortunately does not look as nice as it usually does for most of the year. (The main background picture on this blog is of this same plot)