Don’t miss History Walk at Elmwood Cemetery Sept. 28th

MASON CITY – Elmwood-St. Joseph Municipal Cemetery is conducting this fall’s History Walk on Saturday, September 28^th.  There will be a late afternoon History Walk from 4:30 to 6:00, a chili supper from 6:00 to 7:00, plus an entertaining Evening Stroll from 7:30 to 9:00.

Advance tickets for the entire event are on sale for $15.00 at HyVee East, HyVee West, Mason City City Hall and the Cemetery office.   Tickets may also be purchased on the day of the event at the Cemetery for $20.00 for the entire event or separately for each part of the event at $7.00 for the Walk, $6.00 for the Chili Supper and $7.00 for the Stroll which includes hot chocolate after the portrayals.  Children under 10 years of age may attend the Walk and Stroll at no charge when accompanied by a parent or guardian with a ticket, but must have a ticket for the supper.

The afternoon History Walk will again feature prominent citizens from the past with interesting life stories.  The portrayals will include:

• Reverend Carolan, 1844-1917, Well known Catholic Priest in early years of Mason City
• John McMillin, 1824-1885, First Settler in Mason City, owned the first general store
• Mary Owen, 1852-1944, Daughter of AC Owen and longest living resident in 1944
• Joseph Stork, 1826-1917, Farmer who settled north of Clear Lake in 1871
• Matilda Russell, 1813-1890, Early settler, wife of John Russell, mother of 10 children
• Josephine Maben, 1858-1935, County Recorder, only woman with office in 1902 Courthouse

The Evening Stroll will portray people of early Mason City who have interesting life stories, but more fittingly told during a dark night in the Cemetery.  While the historical aspects of the person’s lives will be told, the portrayals will be entertaining as well.  Other spirits may be roaming around too.  People being portrayals are:

• Mrs. Ed Hughes, 1863-1898, Wife accused of murdering husband
• Tim O’Brien, 1843-1893, Night train guard shot while making an arrest
• Edwin Hansford, 1875-1907, Struck by lighting in his basement at age of 32
• Mary Jenkinson, 1839-1903, Dunked in river by mob of women
• Clara Wedge, 1864-1918, Mason City’s unsolved murder mystery of 1918

Walking to and from the portrayal sites is required by all attendees.  Each route is approximately ¾ of a mile which is walked in sections of 200 to 900 feet in length.  One uphill slope and some uneven ground are involved.  Chairs at each portrayal site allow 10 minute rests between walks.  People attending the Evening Stroll are encouraged to bring flashlights.

This educational and entertaining family event is sponsored by the Bertha Stebens Charitable Foundation, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Good Shepherd Health Center, Hearing Associates, First Citizens National Bank, Kentucky Ridge Assisted Living, Mason City Ford-Lincoln, Major Erickson Funeral Home, Cornerstone Assisted Living, Fullerton Funeral Home, Floyd & Leonard Auto Electric, Cornish Family Chiropractic and the Cerro Gordo Co Assn of Independent Insurance Agents.