Near Menlo in Pacific County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
Willie Keil Grave
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2015
1. Willie Keil Grave Marker
On the hill behind is the grave of Willie Keil, nineteen year old son of Dr. William Keil, leader of the Bethel Colony that came west to settle here in November, 1855.
Willie was to have driven the leading team in the wagon train which was to leave Bethel, Missouri in May, 1855. Four days before their departure Willie died. Because of his great desire to go west with the group, the decision was made to take his body along. It was placed in a lead-lined box filled with alcohol. The sealed coffin was carried in a wagon remodeled as a hearse which led the wagon train west. In the evening by lamp-light, Willie was buried here November 26, 1855.
Erected by Washington State Parks and the Washington State Department of Transportation. (Marker Number 9.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is November 26, 1855.
Location. 46° 38.719′ N, 123° 39.677′ W. Marker is near Menlo, Washington, in Pacific County. It is at the intersection of State Highway 6 and Camp 1 Road, on the left when traveling west on State Highway 6. Marker is located at the south end of a large pull-out/turn-around
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Washington State. It is also on the American Pacific Coast, in the Pacific Northwest, and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: 1857 (within shouting distance of this marker); Raymond Public Library (approx. 4.4 miles away); Pacific County Courthouse (approx. 7.2 miles away).
More about this marker. This is a tall wooden "billboard-style" marker, constructed of painted wooden slats and mounted in a heavy-duty wooden frame.
Also see . . . Willie Keil's Strange Journey to the West. Sadly, when it was time for the wagon train to set out, Willie fell desperately ill with malaria. He was so afraid he would be left behind that he made his father promise that, no matter how ill he was, Willie would make the trip. Four days before the designated date of departure, Willie died. Then, Dr. Keil and the elders of the sect built a sturdy, wooden coffin and lined it with lead. He ordered a load of 100 proof Golden Rule whiskey, poured it into the coffin around Willie, and nailed down the lid. It was carefully placed in the number one wagon, which Willie had hoped to drive. The stories say that the emigrants left on the appointed day, May 23, 1855, with Willie "sloshing around" in the alcohol. On a wet, chilly November day, six months
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2015
2. Willie Keil Grave Marker (wide view)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 1, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 24, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 709 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 25, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2. submitted on January 26, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
