Harrisburg in Saline County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Pauper Cemetery

Photographed By Jason Voigt, March 5, 2020

1. The Pauper Cemetery Marker

Inscription. This cemetery, called the Pauper Cemetery has burials going as far back as 1849 contains stone markers with record of 263 burials at least 60 of which were children. These records indicate that not only people from the Poor Farm were buried here but it was the county burial site for unknown vagrants, murder victims, people killed in the nearby coal mine, abandoned and deceased children. "Colored" and Caucasian were buried side by side from the very beginning, death being the only criteria for a place. The custom of the time was for those not having a funeral to be buried the same day which brought about the following justifications in the burial notes: "Run over by a train at Wasson" "Gun shot wound" "Unknown baby girl found in sewer" "Gunshot wound administered by Chief of Police" "Shot by Charlie Birger at Ledford" "Daddy" "Lithuania-wife still in Europe" "Found dead in ditch" "Carnival worker" "Murdered" "Left leg of Charlie Yates-O'Gara #3 coal mine accident".

Erected by Saline County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites.

Location. 37° 43.136′ N, 88° 33.185′ W. Marker is in Harrisburg, Illinois, in Saline County. Marker is on South Feazel

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Street just north of Bauman Lane, on the right when traveling south. Marker is across the street from the Saline County Pioneer Village. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1530 S Feazel St, Harrisburg IL 62946, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Guard and Chossier Salt Kettles (within shouting distance of this marker); The Poor House (within shouting distance of this marker); Chenault School (within shouting distance of this marker); The Pauper House (within shouting distance of this marker); Cain Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Aydolette Cabin (about 300 feet away); Aydolette Barn and Thrashing Floor (about 400 feet away); Blockhouses (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Harrisburg.

Also see . . . Pauper Cemetery on Find-a-Grave. Also known as the Dorris Cemetery, this page lists some of the memorials there. (Submitted on March 13, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Photographed By Jason Voigt, March 5, 2020

2. The Pauper Cemetery Marker

Wide shot

Credits. This page was last revised on March 13, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 13, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 420 times since then and 77 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 13, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.