Located about 3 miles east of the Yellowstone River.


THE SHORTHILL CEMETERY HISTORY
is Read at Memorial Service

PARADISE VALLEY NEWS Thu 4 June 1959 by Mrs. Ray Durgan

A memorial service was held at the Shorthill cemetery on Memorial day at 10 a.m. People from the valley and as far away as Anaconda gathered together to pay tribute to departed loved ones. The service was opened by the Rev. Merle Blinn who read the scripture and led in prayer. Harlan and Marilu Durgan played an instrumental duet "In the Garden." The history of the cemetery was given by Mrs. Lee Jordan. She stated the ground was originally called Indian hill and was used for community picnics. Legend says there is an Indian buried in a hollow tree in the area. The land for the cemetery was donated by the late Dave Shorthill, father of Mrs. A. W. Allen. The first person to be buried there was Bertha George, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Joe George. She died in 1886. Mrs. Mary Basinger is the one who was born the longest time ago. She was born in 1815. Two ministers, the Rev. Hall and the Rev. W.G. Fowler, are buried there. There are seven war veterans graves. Mrs. Jordan said there are 208 graves of which three are unknown. Following the history the group sang "Amazing Grace" and "Jesus Savior Pilot Me." The message and closing prayer was given by the Rev. Howard Bower. John Blinn dismissed the service with the playing of "Taps."

Jim Summers has donated some new land to increase the size of the cemetery. The men of the community have been building a new fence around the plot. Mike Pomajbo donated his time and machinery to level the land. Ernie McLaughlin of the McLaughlin Construction company and Mr. Helen Nelson donated gravel for the road. A number of people have given money to help with the expense of the fence. If anyone wishes to donate to this they may contact Mrs. Lee Jordan who is the secretary. Those who have worked at the cemetery are Archie Cobb, Delbert Chase, Bill Sworder, Owen Cobb, Pat Swindle, Charles Kauffman, Eric Lindberg, Swan Olson, Harry Nelson, Lee Jordan, John Melin, Larry Jordan, Clifford Lambert, Harold Shorthill, Edward Nelson, Brix Malcolm, Ray Shorthill, Floyd Nelson, David Malcolm, Edwin Nelson, Arthur Smith, Dennis Skattum, Ralph Lyall, Robert Smith, Harlan Durgan, Fabian Schnablegger, Harold Nickolson, Ray Durgan, Jim Allen, John Hamby, Larry Durgan, Raymond George, Ed Schulz and Lester Mitchell. The people of the community wish to express their appreciation to all those who have help in any way with the project.