Ghosts in the graveyard

Published 12:00 am Monday, September 22, 2003

Standing next to the tilted, lichen-covered gravestone of her parents in a white shawl and a straw hat with a large brown ribbon, Lula Jane Twist told visitors of her life in 1920.

At that time, Twist told the crowd, she had just returned from San Francisco from a job as a social worker to pay respects at Grace Cemetery to the nine members of her family of 11 who died of consumption (tuberculosis), typhoid fever and pneumonia throughout the late 19th century.

On Saturday, 83 years later, about 100 people came to hear from her and other personalities from the past at &uot;Echoes From The Past: A Walk Into History.&uot;

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Cold winds and overcast skies followed the groups that toured the cemetery as part of the event, listening to the stories of people portrayed by residents of the county &045; like Bev Jackson, who played Twist.

&uot;We take our lifestyle for granted. We don’t appreciate always the people that came before,&uot; Jackson said about why she thought hearing the stories was important. She thought the solemnity of the cemetery lended itself to hearing about the dire experiences of people in the past.

She said she took the liberty of saying that Twist returned to Albert Lea. They couldn’t find historical documents to find out what happened to her.

Other people featured this year included former sheriff, state representative and senator, wrestling champion and state park namesake Helmer Myre, 189-1951, and casino owner and historian John Edward Murtaugh, 1873-1969.

Jackson said Twist’s story demonstrated

the trials of regular people that don’t necessarily make it into history books. She also used it as lesson about how women were once treated in America.

She said she became intrigued when she found that Twist’s mother’s obituary and sister’s wedding announcement in the Albert Lea Tribune, in the late 19th century, didn’t mention them by name &045;

just as &uot;Mrs.&uot;

It was the third year of the event. It’s something that had been done for years at a cemetery in Rochester.

Jackson said she concluded her speech to one group by saying, &uot;I hope that women not only get the vote, but also that they have their names in wedding announcements and obituaries.&uot;

(Contact Tim Sturrock at tim.sturrock@albertleatribune.com or 379-3438.)