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One of three highway and road signs that point you to Marks Cemetery. You literally can't miss it.
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This group of signs is across the road from the first one you saw.
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As you enter the cemetery grounds you run up on this historical marker at Salt Branch, a lazy little stream which meanders around the grounds. The marker bears a quote from the Cleveland County Herald, in a story on the Battle of Marks Mill: "So many horses and soldiers were killed that Salt Branch ran red with blood." In the battle Confederate forces ambushed a Union Supply train and captured more than 1,000 prisoners.
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These two monuments to the memory of unknown Confederate and Union soldiers are a recent addition by Edgar and Sue Colvin.
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The grave of a Union soldier from Iowa.
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This is a collection of artifacts and informative plaques near the cemetery grounds entrance.
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A large monument listing soldiers killed in action from both sides of the Battle of Marks Mill, Family members with help from historians assembled the list.
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A monument showing the area is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
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A horse-drawn stalk cutter placed near the entrance to the cemetery. The blade and mechansim are similar to a reel-type lawnmower.
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A large number antique farm implements placed around the grounds are visible evidence of the agrarian nature of the areas economy in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Plaques at every piece of equipment give evidence of it use. This horse-drawn planter is a good example. The planter was donated to the cemetery collection in memory of Tate "Uncle Bud" McGehee and "Miss Vaughn" McGehee. Family member Edgar Colvin installed the planter at the cemetery, The plaque information, typical of the collection, reveals a story. The planter was bought by Mr. McGehee in 1920. He always said, " ... this planter is so accurate that if it drops two seeds in a hill, it will reach back and pick up one of them."
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This is a horse-drawn tobacco planter. The plaque reads, "Purchased in Nashville, Tenessee. Used in the late 1800s to early 1900s. Brought to AR by Knowlton Broach to plant sweet potato slips. Edgar Colvin 4-2002."
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This pavillion was built by the family for the express purpose of providing facilities for the family reunion. It also has other uses. Family members conduct historic programs for school children at the site, and the Boy Scouts use it and the site nature trails.
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A horse-drawn seed blower.
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This littlel skunk identifies the entrance to one of the nature trails. The plaque reads "Nature is God's artwork," 1985. Even Pepe LaPhew's cousin.
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"Buddy" Hall (foreground left) and his wife Frankie (foreground right), a Marks family member, enjoy the 135th Marks Family Reunion lunch. On the picnic table is the 2010 Marks-Barnett Families and Their Kin history book. The book combines two previous versions with the latest update written and assembled by former Arkansas Razorback quarterback standout George Walker, a family member. The book traces the family back to 1834 when the Marks family first arrived in Arkansas from Alabama. From the looks of things, this branch of the family is infusing new blood to the tradition. Buddy and Frankie hail from nearby New Edinburg, Arkansas.
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The Pig Pit: When the barbequed-pigs-in-a-pit tradition started, the cooking was done the old fashioned way in a dug pit. But after the reunion came to Marks Cemetery, the family made improvements, one of which is this concrete-floored pavilion, complete with a perfectly proportioned pig pit.
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Pigs on the grill, ready to "take up." At this point, they have been cooking for more than 14 hours.
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Takin' 'em up.
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The pig is punctured to "drain the grease."
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The pigs are placed on this table and reduced to serviing size pieces for the family lunch.
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These are remnants from a long-abandoned area railroad. To the left is a cattle guard in the rails which looks like a medieval torture device.
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A small sampling of "covered dishes," brought by family members for the lunch. Also note the gallons of tea which will be iced. Erma Bombeck called iced-tea the "house wine of the South." For good reason.
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The Marks-Barnett Familyl is a well organized lot. Here board members (from left), Pat Rhine Brown, Chair of her family industrial hardware business; Rufus Buie, a retired mortician; and George Walker, retired banker and former Razorback football great discuss the family business.
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The reunion always includes a business meeting.
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"Miss Betty," an 88-year-old family member from Missouri admonishes younger members to talk to older ones to help keep the traditions alive.
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Family members grin for the "Kodak."
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From left, Pat Rhine Brown and Mary Shill, a family member and state representative in Missouri.
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This young buck gives me a curious look. I had just completed shooting a huge Catalpa tree which will see in a future post, when I looked up and saw him. By the time I grabbed the camera with the long lens, he was long gone. The location was Prairie Road in Cleveland County, Arkansas.