Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Review Friday, March 6, 1908 p 1
While cutting down a mammoth wild cherry tree in the Ladoga cemetery Monday, Jonas and Jerry Gish, workmen made the rather remarkable discovery that the tree had completely enveloped a marble tomb stone two feet in height and a little over a foot wide, bearing the inscription - Alma Berard, born Jan 5, 1774 died May 15, 1830. May she rest in peace. -- The tree which had enveloped the slab was 12' in circumference at the base and for a number of years attracted attention on account of its unusual size. For some time there had been a story current that a tomb stone was buried in it, but this was believed to be more a matter of tradition than of real fact.
William Nicholson, a pioneer resident of Ladoga, always maintained that this story was true, however declaring that many years previous, he had seen the corner of the stone protruding from the trunk of the tree. At that time, he said, this corner was so covered with moss as to make it almost indiscernible. A short time later, according to his story the tree had completely covered the slab.
The directors of the cemetery recently decided to make some improvements in the grounds and it became known that this tree was to be cut down. As a consequence there was a considerable gathering of spectators to witness the work when the workmen began on it.
After several minutes' chopping a ringing blow with a big nick in the ax revealed the presence of the stone. Some time later the workmen had so chopped around it as to reveal the entire inscription on its face.
A number of people have gone to the cemetery since the discovery was made to witness the phenomenon. To all appearances the stone has been buried in the tree for more than half a century - typed by kbz
While cutting down a mammoth wild cherry tree in the Ladoga cemetery Monday, Jonas and Jerry Gish, workmen made the rather remarkable discovery that the tree had completely enveloped a marble tomb stone two feet in height and a little over a foot wide, bearing the inscription - Alma Berard, born Jan 5, 1774 died May 15, 1830. May she rest in peace. -- The tree which had enveloped the slab was 12' in circumference at the base and for a number of years attracted attention on account of its unusual size. For some time there had been a story current that a tomb stone was buried in it, but this was believed to be more a matter of tradition than of real fact.
William Nicholson, a pioneer resident of Ladoga, always maintained that this story was true, however declaring that many years previous, he had seen the corner of the stone protruding from the trunk of the tree. At that time, he said, this corner was so covered with moss as to make it almost indiscernible. A short time later, according to his story the tree had completely covered the slab.
The directors of the cemetery recently decided to make some improvements in the grounds and it became known that this tree was to be cut down. As a consequence there was a considerable gathering of spectators to witness the work when the workmen began on it.
After several minutes' chopping a ringing blow with a big nick in the ax revealed the presence of the stone. Some time later the workmen had so chopped around it as to reveal the entire inscription on its face.
A number of people have gone to the cemetery since the discovery was made to witness the phenomenon. To all appearances the stone has been buried in the tree for more than half a century - typed by kbz
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Review Friday, March 6, 1908 p 1
While cutting down a mammoth wild cherry tree in the Ladoga cemetery Monday, Jonas and Jerry Gish, workmen made the rather remarkable discovery that the tree had completely enveloped a marble tomb stone two feet in height and a little over a foot wide, bearing the inscription - Alma Berard, born Jan 5, 1774 died May 15, 1830. May she rest in peace. -- The tree which had enveloped the slab was 12' in circumference at the base and for a number of years attracted attention on account of its unusual size. For some time there had been a story current that a tomb stone was buried in it, but this was believed to be more a matter of tradition than of real fact.
William Nicholson, a pioneer resident of Ladoga, always maintained that this story was true, however declaring that many years previous, he had seen the corner of the stone protruding from the trunk of the tree. At that time, he said, this corner was so covered with moss as to make it almost indiscernible. A short time later, according to his story the tree had completely covered the slab.
The directors of the cemetery recently decided to make some improvements in the grounds and it became known that this tree was to be cut down. As a consequence there was a considerable gathering of spectators to witness the work when the workmen began on it.
After several minutes' chopping a ringing blow with a big nick in the ax revealed the presence of the stone. Some time later the workmen had so chopped around it as to reveal the entire inscription on its face.
A number of people have gone to the cemetery since the discovery was made to witness the phenomenon. To all appearances the stone has been buried in the tree for more than half a century - typed by kbz
While cutting down a mammoth wild cherry tree in the Ladoga cemetery Monday, Jonas and Jerry Gish, workmen made the rather remarkable discovery that the tree had completely enveloped a marble tomb stone two feet in height and a little over a foot wide, bearing the inscription - Alma Berard, born Jan 5, 1774 died May 15, 1830. May she rest in peace. -- The tree which had enveloped the slab was 12' in circumference at the base and for a number of years attracted attention on account of its unusual size. For some time there had been a story current that a tomb stone was buried in it, but this was believed to be more a matter of tradition than of real fact.
William Nicholson, a pioneer resident of Ladoga, always maintained that this story was true, however declaring that many years previous, he had seen the corner of the stone protruding from the trunk of the tree. At that time, he said, this corner was so covered with moss as to make it almost indiscernible. A short time later, according to his story the tree had completely covered the slab.
The directors of the cemetery recently decided to make some improvements in the grounds and it became known that this tree was to be cut down. As a consequence there was a considerable gathering of spectators to witness the work when the workmen began on it.
After several minutes' chopping a ringing blow with a big nick in the ax revealed the presence of the stone. Some time later the workmen had so chopped around it as to reveal the entire inscription on its face.
A number of people have gone to the cemetery since the discovery was made to witness the phenomenon. To all appearances the stone has been buried in the tree for more than half a century - typed by kbz
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