March 30, 2003 - Point, TX - 1 (2/6/03 - Boothill Cemetery, Tombstone, AZ)

If I keep messing around hoping to get my computer all back to "normal" again, I'll never get caught up with this Journal.  So, I'll quit messing with the computer and get to journaling.

Oh, yeah.  Here we are still poking around the Boot Hill cemetery in Tombstone, AZ.  February 6?  Yeah, I guess I'm that far behind.  It was interesting to see how many suicides there were, many of whom were women, and most of those prostitutes.  While they may have been making a lot of money while they were healthy, most (much like today I suppose), were in the business because they had little hope of a future without a loving husband and family support system in place.  Many were drug addicts, and the hopelessness that brings probably contributed to their mental state as well.  How sad.  The tombstones on the right are those of the fatalities from the gunfight at the O.K. Corral.

Are you somehow fascinated with tombstones and grave markers?  We both are, it seems.  We loved poking around cemeteries in New England, checking dates and causes of death, especially when we were visiting Salem (witchtown), MA.  Anyway, back in Tombstone, on the left it says, "In memory of Frank Bowles, Born Aug 5, 1828, died Aug 26, 1880, Remember that as you pass by, as you are, so once was I, and as I am you soon will be. Remember me."  And for some reason the undertaker or somebody felt compelled to mention that the five fellows buried here on the right were "legally hanged."  Must have been a busy day for the hangman.

The brevity of some tended to leave questions in my mind, and then Mrs. Pring, one of many suicides.

And the proof we were actually there.  The entrance to the graveyard is free, but you have to enter through the gift shop.  We made it in OK, but coming out some great fudge managed to jump into a bag and escape with me.