Woodmen of the World Markers, Cedar Hill Cemetery, Rusk
By Deborah Burkett
After much hard work by many in the county a state historical marker will be unveiled at Cedar Hill Cemetery Saturday, September 9 at 2:00 pm--Quite an honor! The marker was approved and forged by the Texas Historical Commission in Austin, made possible through their program designed to recognize and protect historic cemeteries. A cemetery is eligible for the historic designation if it is at least 50 years old and is deemed worthy of recognition.
Cedar Hill certainly qualifies. Established in 1847, this cemetery on a hill with towering cedar trees was the burial place of early settlers. In 1850, Rusk had 355 residents and over the ensuing decades commerce flourished fueled by pioneers and immigrants from Europe and the old South including African Americans.
In securing the historic cemetery designation, photographs must be submitted which show the presence of unique grave markers made with a variety of materials and architectural designs. Walking Cedar Hill one readily sees many ornate obelisks and graves marked by unusual constructions. These include a brick crypt, craved limestone arches, above ground tomb-like structures covering entire graves, and huge native iron ore rocks.
One of the most distinctive structures at Cedar Hill Cemetery is the carved stone-like tree trunks denoting Woodmen of the World (WOW), a fraternal and insurance organization established in the late 1880s by Joseph Cullen Root. The tree trunk-like grave stone was an early benefit of Woodmen of the World membership and is found in cemeteries nationwide. This program was abandoned in the late 1920s as it was too costly to produce the markers.
Typically the tree trunk stones include carved depictions of WOW relics and symbols of the organization. These include a stump or felled tree, the maul and wedge, an axe and often a Dove of Peace with an olive branch. Some monuments have etched on the stone the organization's motto, Dum Tacet Clamat, which means "Though silent, he speaks."
From the early 1890s the Woodmen of the World had a female auxiliary called the Woodmen Circles. Its local units were called "Groves" and they were governed by a "Supreme Forest", subject to the Sovereign Camp of the Woodmen of the World.
Several of the WOW members buried at Cedar Hill who have stone-like tree monuments were members of Rusk Camp No. 388 or the Acker Camp in Dialville No. 1102. They are: Wilburne F. Summers, (Rusk Camp) born Oct. 2, 1875, died Sept 16, 1899 and Robert Payne (Acker Camp) born Oct. 27, 1886, died Oct 31, 1909. Many WOW stones have heart felt inscriptions such as the one for Willis Lang (b. 1861, d. 1906) "Twas sweet to listen to the words that flowed from thy dear lips alast now sealed in death."
It is estimated that there are roughly 50,000 cemeteries in Texas. These range from single, isolated and often unmarked graves to expansive cemeteries spanning hundreds of acres and reaching up to hundreds-of-thousands of burials. Many of these cemeteries are endangered due to lack of historic context and knowledge of their presence or exact location. Cedar Hill is not one of those, thanks in a large part to the City of Rusk.
Everyone is invited to the Cedar Hill Cemetery for the big event. Be there for the unveiling of the Texas State Historical Marker. A tent and chairs will be available for attendees but bring a lawn chair if you prefer. Guest speakers will discuss the history of the cemetery and the families buried there. Special music and refreshments will be provided. Join us as we honor our ancestors.
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