Octave - Weaver

MINOTTO | PICTURES | ROADS | JACK SWILLING | TEN DAY TRAMPS

American Pioneer & Cemetery Research Project

Internet Presentation

Version 121207

SUPPORT APCRP: Click Here

UPDATED INFORMATION:

Octave Cemetery

Weaver Cemetery

Grave of Claudia

12/11/07

Octave, Arizona

For some time APCRP has needed to research and document if George Sayers may have been buried at the Octave Cemetery. On the fateful day when George’s shot gun accidentally discharged while he was loading/unloading his freight wagon at Sayers Spring at his store. After the accident George was taken to Octave to the nearest Doctor in the area at that time. It has been researched that George died in Octave and we needed to verify if he was buried in Octave or returned to Sayers Spring to be buried.

Sign over main entrance into the Octave Cemetery c. 2006

Photo by: Neal Du Shane

When we researched the Octave Cemetery there is no evidence George was buried there. We did find George Sayers grave at Sayers Spring which would make sense for the times they lived. All George’s friends were at Sayers Spring and would have given him a proper burial.

Octave Cemetery c. 2007

Photo by: Neal Du Shane

In addition there has been confusion regarding the Octave Cemetery being referred to as the Stanton and/or Weaver Cemetery. This isn’t to say locals wouldn’t have misidentified the Octave Cemetery as Stanton or Weaver. We have physically found and identified the Stanton Cemeteries (there are three) and the Weaver Cemetery which is about 1.5 miles north of the Octave Cemetery.

The Octave Cemetery has approximately 66 graves identifiable, another 35 are unidentifiable within the fenced enclosure. In addition outside the fenced enclosure I found an additional 100 graves within a 300’ radius of the official cemetery. Obviously the current fenced cemetery isn’t the original size of this cemetery, it was much larger than currently fenced.

Believed to be the grave and marker of Jarvis Thomason c. 2007

Photo by: Neal Du Shane

Clyde Thomason of Congress was able to give us three relatives that are buried in the Octave Cemetery, to which we have identified their graves. One Jarvis Thomason, Amelia Thomason and a Thomason infant. Jarvis Thomason is the first grave on the right as you walk in the gated entrance. It is marked with a mine track made into a cross. They painted in yellow in color and is one of the most recognized graves in this cemetery. Many of the graves are under brush and cactus which have overgrown the individual graves.

William Segna’s Grave on right in the Weaver Pioneer Cemetery c. 2007

Photo by: Neal Du Shane

Weaver, Arizona

At the Weaver Cemetery we have identified the grave of William Segna who was shot and killed in Weaver. William was the owner of the General Store and Saloon there. Weaver was so rough and tough in its day many people that lived in Weaver moved farther South to Octave which further confuses the two towns. In addition there are many Chinese and Mexican graves in the Weaver Cemetery and a few whites such as William. No identification by name has been found but the graves are obvious with some having white crosses marking them.

Unfortunately this cemetery is being overtaken by brush and cactus. An effort to clear the brush and cactus should be undertaken to reclaim this historic Pioneer Cemetery.

Stanton Pioneer Cemetery general area c.2007

Photo by: Neal Du Shane

Stanton was abandoned for a few years and thus many of its historic landmarks fell to total disrepair and apathy. Such was the three cemeteries we have found in and about Stanton. it is very possible these three cemeteries were of Catholic, Protestant, or Mexican, Chinese, Caucasians which was very common in communities of the day.

Charlie Stanton as an example is buried in a cemetery approximately 1.2 miles north of Stanton along the Creek bed, and the old stage road to Yarnell, all of the graves around his are of people from Mexico. There is another Stanton Cemetery, about 800 feet south of this cemetery and the community cemetery is west of the main town of Stanton on the west bank of the creek. There has been some buildings built in this area and all evidence of the graves have been turned back to nature.

Grave of Claudia – nothing else known c. 2007

Photo by: Neal Du Shane

I had need to travel the old stage road to Yarnell from Stanton and always being attentive to historic items I was driving along when I spotted this headstone on the left side of the road. Backing up I could identify a grave and pulled off the road to investigate. Turns out I got a positive response that this was a 13 year old female’s grave. Her name was Claudia – nothing else, no surname no dates. Obviously someone knows the story on this grave as there is ample evidence someone comes her regularly and keeps it presentable. Always inquisitive to research cemeteries I walked the general area of Claudia’s headstone and found possibly 6 or 7 other unidentified graves. If anyone has information on this Cemetery we would be grateful with you sharing it with our readers.

It was rumored that one Hays Moore age 15 may have been interred in the Octave cemetery but our research found nothing positive to confirm this. We also have documentation he may be interred in one of the Vulture Cemeteries and we will research this for future reference. Until then we have listed his name as being in one of the Vulture cemeteries.

Map of the area traveled 12/11/07. Red dots indicate bread crumbs the GPS left while I traveled to these sites. All GPS readings are (WGS84). My trip didn’t not include stops at the three Stanton cemeteries and are not identified on this map. If you would like that information please contact us for a detailed map.

American Pioneer & Cemetery Research Project

Internet Presentation

Version 121207

WebMaster: Neal Du Shane

n.j.dushane@apcrp.org

Copyright ©2003-2007 Neal Du Shane
All rights reserved. Information contained within this website may be used
for personal family history purposes, but not for financial profit of any kind.
All contents of this website are willed to the AmericanPioneer & Cemetery Research Project (APCRP).

MINOTTO | PICTURES | ROADS | JACK SWILLING | TEN DAY TRAMPS