March 28, 2024

Video memories of McKeever Cemetery Walk now available

To the editor:

Once again, I was pleased to video record another interesting piece of Jasper County history that took place over at the historic McKeever Cemetery a couple miles north of Colfax. This was the 10th annual walk of various cemeteries, attended by a good sized group of folks from around the area.

This very unique piece of history was sponsored by the Jasper County and Colfax historical societies, as well as the McKeever Cemetery Association. A talented group of players in period costumes portrayed men and women from “the olden days,” who left their mark in the annals of time. It was like turning the clock back more than 100 years, and hearing stories retold from the past.

Anyone not able to attend this historic event can now check out a one-hour video of this event from the Newton Public Library to enjoy at their leisure. A special bonus on the same DVD is a one-hour rerun of the historic Newton Union Cemetery Walk from September 2006, which includes stories from W.H. Lister of the famous Lister Opera House, John Cross, Vera Peck, Bea McCardell and many others.

We are so fortunate to have folks throughout our area willing to donate their time and talents in recreating historic events such as these cemetery walks. I have always been glad to contribute my time to preserving some of these video memories for future generations.

John D. McNeer

Newton