"The Lost Stones of Irving." 17 Gravestones, No Owners...
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Updated: 4:04 PM May 8, 2009
"The Lost Stones of Irving." 17 Gravestones, No Owners...
He's a man with a bit of a mystery on his hands--17 long-lost gravestones, dating back to the 1800's. Their new owner isn't sure why the stones never ended up in a cemetery, but he's hoping to help them get there.
Posted: 10:08 PM May 7, 2009
Reporter: Mary Rinzel with Photographer Jeff Ralph
Email Address: mary.rinzel@weau.com
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Thursday night on WEAU 13 News at 10, we brought you the story of a man who found some old gravestones on his land. Now, the landowners tell us they know a little more about those mystery stones.

Art and Jessica Donnelly, who live near Black River Falls, told us many people have called and said the stones were ones with misspelled names or incorrect dates.

They say a man who used to live on the land ordered the stones on behalf of families.

The company told the man to get rid of the stones, and he just put them in the woods to get them out of the way.

The Donnellys say they are trying to find out if they can reface the stones, or donate them to local cemeteries to replace damaged ones.

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He's a man with a bit of a mystery on his hands... actually 17 of them, 17 long-lost gravestones. Art Donnelly isn't sure why the gravestones never ended up in a cemetery, but he's hoping to help them get there.

The lost stones of Irving: That's what Donnelly calls the strange sight in his town of Irving yard. It's become a temporary resting spot for the 17 stones dating back to the late 1800's, many of them with familiar family names.

"Cindy who works at the credit union in Melrose, that may be her relation so she's kind of curious to find out about that," Donnelly tells us.

The tombstone that touches him most is the one that belongs to an infant.

"I’ve got five kids I love very well and the little baby one, it has to go back," he says.

Donnelly says he was helping a friend clean up some scrap metal on the property behind his friend's house; the gravestones were among the garbage. He's now hoping to return them to whoever they were made for.

"I’m just wondering if it's possible they couldn't afford their stones after they ordered them,” he says. “From what I understand the gentleman ordered these stones for these people and I don't know why they didn't get them."

Donnelly's neighbor says that gentleman has since passed away. Donnelly says he isn't sure when the stones were engraved since many of them look more modern than the dates inscribed on them.

"It's just very interesting,” Donnelly says. “There must be so many questions behind them."

But, one thing this Jackson County man is certain of—he wants to find them a home, their rightful home.

"I’m hoping someone knows some of the names and I can find where they go,” Donnelly says. “I'd love to give them back.”

If you recognized any of the names on the stones or can help solve the mystery behind them, Art would love to hear from you. You can call him or his girlfriend, Jessica at (715) 284-9886 or e-mail them at jponygopher@yahoo.com.

Here’s the full list of names and dates:

Carl Gustav Olson, 1865-1930
Christian Halverson, 1872-1942
Earnest, 1848-1927
Effie Herried, 1899-1923
Connie B. Walker, Mother, 1900-1962
Elmer O. Olson, 1892-1958
Frank Finney, 1887-1923
Anna Johnson, 1878-1942
Baby, Dau. of R.A. & Mina Patterson, 1899-1899
Floyd, Aug. 12, 1896-Mar. 11, 1920
Doehr: Werner, 1897-19__ & Mabel, 1893-19__
Bills: Phoebe A., 1930-____ & Robert A., 1927-1967
Hazel A., Daughter, 1901-19__
Ella Ofte, Mother, 1903-1939
James Duxbury, Jan. 1, 1816-Jan. 28, 1900
Christina, Wife of Jas. Duxbury, Mother, Apr. 5, 1846-Apr. 16, 1914
Glowiske: John M., 1898-1966 & Edith O., 1896-19__