5 May 2017

Dear Friends of Spring Hill Cemetery,

Yesterday was magnificent. The weather was perfect for hard labor, sunny and cool with a bit of a breeze. We were entertained by a robin's nest in one of the trees with baby robins chattering for food and a mother bird flying in and out feeding. Earlier in the week the cemetery had seen temperatures in the 90s, so we were very fortunate. Nine of us gathered for the work session.

Our goal was to get the cemetery in great shape for summer; to clear all paths, clean off all the bird droppings from the stones, and to pull the most egregious weeds. This was done with efficiency. We were just making our final round of the cemetery to ensure we had gathered all the tools when Patsy and I decided to try probing for stones one last time. And - Eureka! We uncovered two complete stones and bases. All the volunteers get VERY excited when stones are uncovered. And we haven't had 2 in one day in quite some time.

Our newly uncovered stones belong to Cora C Heffron and her sister, Evilena. Evilena died January 24, 1870 when not quite 2. Cora died 9 years later just over a year and a half old.

I have a newspaper article on poor Evilena's death:

Scalded to Death. Evalena. a little daughter of Mr. A. H. Heffron. of Bodega, aged about two years, was recently fatally scalded by a kettle of hot water being overturned upon her. She lingered eleven days after the accident. suffering intense pain. The funeral was largely attended by friends and neighbors of the family.
Russian River Flag, Number 12, 3 February 1870

Cora and Evilena's parents were Sarah Watson and Albert H Heffron. Their father was a blacksmith. Sarah Watson was the daughter of James Watson, one of the founders of Watson School.

We will try to reset the Heffron stones at our next workday, August 4th. Come join us if you can.

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