Wildomar Cemetery History

Wildomar Cemetery History

Legends, Mysteries, and More…

By

Edy Rodarme

Copyright Edy Rodarme 2012

Smashwords Edition License Notes:

This free ebook may be copied, distributed, reposted, reprinted and shared, provided it appears in its entirety without alteration, the author is given due credit and the reader is not charged to access it.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Chapter 1…..Wildomar Cemetery History; A Troublesome Beginning

Chapter 2…..The Wildomar Cemetery Receipt Book; The Original Stockholders

Chapter 3…..More Burials; Early Wildomar Settlers & Others

Chapter 4…..Legends, Mysteries and More….; Early Wildomar Deaths

Chapter 5…..Who’s NOT Buried in Wildomar Cemetery; Our Founders and Others

Appendix

References

Surname Chapter Index

About the Author

Cover Photograph

The lonely grave of J. F. Fitten sits alone under the shade of an aged tree. This is the smallest upright marker in Wildomar Cemetery. Its’ owner died on Feb. 26, 1900. See Chapter 2, receipt 9, for the Fitten profile. The markers in the background belong to the Wilks family; left is the double marker for Valentine and his mother, Fanny; right Mary Wilks Derbyshire. See Chapter 2, receipt 16, for the Wilks profile. Photograph by Edy Rodarme; formatted by Joe Rodarme.

Dedication

To the dozens of people who have struggled over the years to preserve and maintain the history and grounds of Wildomar Cemetery.

Acknowledgments

To all the wonderful volunteers who post genealogy information online to share with all of us who are searching for it! You’re awesome!

Thanks to Kathe Sabetzadeh for her support, both moral and physical. Kathe served as editor, assistant researcher and a strong shoulder to lean on.

A very special thanks to Joe Rodarme for designing the cover and dealing with all of the technical aspects of getting this eBook published. Gracias, Jose!

Thanks also go to Anthony Hoffman, Sharon Hunter, Kirk Schrader, Daniel Torres, Gary Andre, and Gil Rasmussen for their assistance.

I have to include my patient children and grandchildren who have provided an ear to listen to me even though cemeteries are NOT their favorite subject. Thank you Jen, Elaine, Bobby, Joe and Andy and grandchildren Brendan, Lauren and Autumn.

Introduction

Wildomar Cemetery, located at 21400 Palomar Street, in the city of Wildomar, Riverside County, California, has been steeped in lore since it was established over 114 years ago in 1898. The author has traced the beginnings and outlines the major events to affect the cemetery. Information concerning burials of early settlers is included along with other interesting facts, discrepancies and mysteries.

There are photographs, documents, and items that pertain to this publication, but technological constraints prevent them from being included in this electronic edition. Please feel free to contact the author at [email protected] if you would like more information on any family listed here or if you have information to share.

CHAPTER 1

WILDOMAR CEMETERY HISTORY

A TROUBLESOME BEGINNING

One of the necessities of any community is a cemetery and Wildomar was no exception. A cemetery was established in the foothills a mile south of Central Street and about a half mile south of Grand Avenue in 1885. It is not known how many internments were made in this cemetery. A family +-would just pick a spot and bury their loved one with no records kept.

On October 26, 1897, a public meeting was held at the United Presbyterian Church to discuss a new location for the cemetery. The following appeared in the Elsinore Press, Elsinore, Riverside, Ca. on November 5, 1897:

"Wildomar Cemetery.

There has been considerable dissatisfaction entertained, and sometimes expressed, by the citizens of Wildomar regarding the location of their cemetery grounds of that place.

A public meeting was held Tuesday evening Oct. 26 at the United Presbyterian church to consider the matter in all its phases. There was a fair sized attendance. W. J. Wible (Note: this was H. (Henry) J. Wible) was unanimously chosen as chairman, and J. F. Jamieson as secretary.

The chairman briefly stated the object of the meeting, namely, to take into consideration the whole matter relating to the Wildomar cemetery; whether to improve the present…" (note: the rest of the line is unreadable).

The discussion was opened up by Rev. A. W. Jameison, followed by a number of others. After nearly all presented their views on the subject it was evident that a change of location was desired, and we believe this voiced the sentiment of the entire community.

A resolution was offered and passed by a unanimous vote that a committee of four be appointed to take charge of the whole matter of a new location for the cemetery, and a suitable place, devise ways and means of purchasing same, and also make necessary steps toward incorporation. The committee was to report on Tuesday evening, Nov. 9.

J. K. Wilson, D. C. McGee, Nelson Ambrose, and Donald McVicar were appointed as such committee.

A statement was made that the expense of incorporation would probably be $15, and it was thought best to make the effort at once to meet this and so generous was the response to this appeal that nearly the sum wanted was raised.

Everything being done that was thought necessary to insure the completion of the project in view, on motion the meeting adjourned. "The Wildomar Cemetery Association was incorporated on April 6, 1898, for a period of 50 years. The Association was funded by twenty-four stockholders who each agreed to pay $6.60; $1 for the incorporation fee, $5 for a cemetery lot and $.60 cents for the redwood posts for the fence to start the two acre cemetery. The $5 for a lot went toward the $120 needed to incorporate.

The land had been a siding and stockyard for the railroad. Catharine B. and Eleazer Andrews signed a grant deed on Feb. 19, 1898, giving 295 square feet at the northwest corner, Lot 27, Block L to the cemetery association. The remains from the original cemetery were moved to the new cemetery by the time of the first board meeting on March 15, 1898. Local men did the moving but the bodies were mistakenly reinterred on private property on the southwest corner instead of the northwest corner which was about 1/8 mile away from the land that had been dedicated for a cemetery. Legend has it that it was a hot day, some coffins were decaying and several corpses had fallen onto the road. The weary movers chose a more accessible spot on the valley floor instead of the deeded acreage atop a low hill. This error was not to be corrected until 1947 when the property changed hands and was quitclaim deeded to the Wildomar Cemetery Association by the new owner, Joan Kelly.

The cemetery association held yearly meetings and made the necessary arrangements to run the cemetery. The following are loose pages and not part of a book. The paper is in a fragile state and some letters or words may be missing from its right edge.

"Wildomar Cemetery Association, Minutes Book, Mar. 1898

Wildomar, Calif.

First Cemetery Meeting

Mar. 15, 1898

Meeting called to order, and Mr. D. McVicker elected Chairman, Committee on Incorporation reported. Judge Noys answered the letter of inquiry, stating that it is necessary for us to incorporate. The committee recommends that the capital Stock, be one hundred dollars, of 24 shares and five dollars each. On motion the report was accepted. The By Laws, were read and adopted. The subject was presented, of changing the location from the S. W. to the N. W. corner of Mrs. Andrews land. The question was thoroughly discussed, pro and con. A vote was taken, and resulted in favor of the change. But some protested, than a motion was made and carried to leave the whole matter to the Board of Trustees. After a consultation the Trustees decided to keep the first location.

On motion adjourned.

D. McVickar, Chair

J. F. Jamieson, Sec’y."

(NOTE: The below is on the back side of the above minutes. It is not known at what time the last section, Trustees and Terms of service including 1898 and 1899 were added to the minutes of 1898.)

"Mar. 1898 (Note: No day given)

Subsequent to last meeting, the Stock holders were assessed one dollar each for an Incorporation Fund. These papers were properly made out, and the expenses defrayed. A Deed was made out and sent to Mr. L. Kuhns of the Elsinore Bank. The Deed called for one hundred and twenty dollars conveying two acres of land for a Cemetery. The 24 Stock holders each took a lot, at five dollars. The money was paid and the Deed was secured.

Thus the Cemetery lot was secured, and all expenses met.

J. F. Jamieson, Sec’y & Treas.

Trustees, and Terms of services.

J. F. Jamieson, elected Mar. 1898 for 3 years

Chas. Walters elected Mar. 1898 for 2 years

R. C. Dickson elected Mar. 1899 for 3 years

Nelson Ambrose elected Mar. 1899 for 1 year

Andrew A. Forbes elected Mar. 1899 for 1 year"

It’s interesting to note that not only were meetings held and trustees elected but the remains from the old cemetery were moved before the association even filed for incorporation of the new cemetery:

Sacramento Daily Union, April 7, 1898: Articles of Incorporation were filed yesterday Bled in the office of the Secretary of State as follows: Wildomar Cemetery Association. Principal place of business, Wildomar, Riverside County. Directors—J/ F. Jamieson, D. McVicar, Charles W. Walters, R. C. Dickson and Nelson Ambrose, all of Wildomar. Capital stock, $120, all subscribed.

"Wildomar Cemetery Association, Minutes Book, Mar. 1898

W. C. Association

Mar. 6, 1899

In compliance with the By Laws of Wildomar Cemetery Association, the annual meeting was held. Mr. G. P. Lawrence was called to the Chair. The By Laws were read. The first item of business was the election of officers. Five Trustees are required. The terms of three Trustees, expire at this meeting. The first ballot was for a Trustee for 3 years. Mr. R. C. Dickson was elected. The next ballot was for two Trustees for 1 year. Mr. Nelson Ambrose and Mr. Andrew A. Forbes were elected. Next the election of a President, Vice Pres. And Sec’y. were in order. Mr. G. P. Lawrence was the choice of the meeting for Pres.; Mr. John McFadden for Vice Pres., and J. F. Jamieson for Sec’y and Treas. A motion was made by Nelson Ambrose to have the streets of Cemetery graded before the lot is fenced. Said motion carried. The fencing of the Cemetery, was freely discussed. Owning to the hard times, it was decided to put up a wire fence of two strands, posts 25 ft. apart. A motion was made and carried to raise the money for the purpose of fencing by an assessment of the Stock holders, of .60 ct for member. The Sec’y to collect assessment. (On motion, adjourned)

G. P. Lawrence, Pres.

J. F. Jamieson, Secy."

"Wildomar, Calif. Mar. 23rd 1899

Meeting of Board of Trustees of Wildomar Cemetery Association.

Mr. R. C. Dickson was chosen for chairman of the Board for the ensuing year.

The object of the meeting was to make the necessary arrangements for fencing the Cemetery grounds. Mr. C. H. Lewis made a proposition to the Board to furnish the wire at cost. This offer was gratefully accepted. Then Mr. Dickson proposed seeing the lumber firms at Elsinore and order the posts. Those posts to be of Redwood, 3 x 4, or 4 x 4, 6 ft long.

The Sec’y reported, that more than half of the assess, for fencing, was collected. The price of lots in the Cemetery, was carefully considered. The Board decided that the price of a lot would be ten dollars. It was agreed that the work of putting up the fence would be vulentary labor, to save expenses. On motion adjourned.

R. C. Dickson, Chairman

J. F. Jamieson, Sec’y & Treas."

"Wildomar, Calif. Jan. 11th, 1900

The Sec. would respectfully report to the Board of Trustees, that the price of the Cemetery lot, and all expenses connected therewith was paid, also the posts, for fencing the lot, costing 8,90 and a Minite Book and Reciept Book costing ,40 making 9,30 was paid by the assessment fund levied for that purpose. The only expense not met, is the cost of the wire, 13,60 to Chas. Walters, and 1,00 to Andrew Forbes for the hire of a Grader.

Submitted,

J. F. Jamieson

Sec. & Treas."

The receipt book for lots sold mentioned in the minutes was started on April 13, 1899. However, by the early part of the 1900’s most of the original shareholders had moved from the area and there are no records of the board of trustees meeting again after the above January 11th, 1900 record. This is confirmed in a petition by William Collier in 1927 on behalf of the citizens and residents of Wildomar, no matters of any kind were held by the officers according to the records after January 11th, 1900.

On December 14, 1905 the Wildomar Cemetery Association forfeited their cemetery charter due to failure to pay state taxes.

The ensuing years were unorganized. For about twenty years nobody was in charge of the cemetery. There was no clerk to assign lots or collect payments. When someone died the family would simply bury them in the cemetery. The grounds became covered in weeds which grew over markers.

Then from 1925 to 1928 a group of concerned citizens tried to form a new cemetery association. The effort was driven by Thomas Wilks, Otto Beaver and Harry Glen Torbett. William Collier had a petition prepared by Sarau & Thompson, attorneys at law, Riverside, Ca. The petition was submitted to Riverside County on March 21, 1927, asking for the appointment of at least three trustees to oversee the cemetery. The names William Collier suggested for trustees were Thomas H. Wilkes, Glenn Torbett, and Mrs. Mary Fletcher. William Collier went on in the petition to describe the property:

The cemetery grounds are right on the boulevard between Elsinore and Murrietta and is a good smooth place of ground, thoroughly tillable and has water for such purposes as may be required there which can be had by simply boring a well, and we find that Pepper trees and Cypress trees and various other kinds of trees will grow there without any irrigation, which has been thoroughly demonstrated for the past forty years.

Otto Beaver received a letter on March 23, 1927 from the Riverside County Board of Supervisors, appointing him as a Director of the Wildomar Cemetery Association. The letter also stated that Mrs. Mary Fletcher’s resignation had been accepted. The first meeting of the new board was held promptly:

"Wildomar, Calif., Apr. 7, 1927

Meeting of Board of Trustees at home of O. E. Beaver, Present Beaver, Wilks, & Torbett.

Moved by Beaver and carried that Wilks get prices on ornamental trees to be planted along the boulevard inside the fence line and if prices are right to purchase a sufficient number to set trees 20 ft apart.

Moved by Wilks and carried that officers of Board hold office for one year, election at first meeting in Jan. each year.

Officers elected for year 1927 as follows:

President—T. H. Wilks, Secty-Treas.—O. E. Beaver

Donations received and accepted

Card Club------12.25, Mrs. Taylor----.50. Sunday School-10.00 $22.75

H. G. Torbett

Secy pro tem."

"Wildomar Calif.

April 5 1928

Meeting of the board of trustees called at the home of Torbetts. Wilks Torbett & Beaver present

Moved and carried that officers hold over for the yr 1928

Motion made by Torbett that action be commence of the forming of Cemetery district.

Sect instructed to hire Arthur Wilks to tank trees that were set out last yr and culivate same for $18 for the season also $10 for work on the same trees last yr. and to hire weeds cleaned in the front part of cemetery.

Sect. report for past year read and approved.

Moved that meeting adjourned

Otto. C. Beaver

Sec & Treasure."

The trees mentioned in the 1927 and 1928 minutes are still standing today, towering over Palomar. Arthur Wilks, their caretaker, is buried in a plot with a view of the trees.

As decided at the 1928 meeting, Harry Glen Torbett was asked to start action on a drive to incorporate a cemetery district. However, the formation of the cemetery district failed as the $500 bond could not be raised.

Another attempt to form a cemetery district failed in 1947 because there were only 55 signatures when 70 were needed. This effort was also led by Thomas Wilks, Harry Glen Torbett and Otto Beaver. Wyman Turner, postmaster, filed the articles of incorporation for the cemetery association with Riverside County paying a fee of $2.00. Though they failed to form a district, the community