HISTORY OF THE VALLEY VIEW CEMETERY

By Norman L. Newton, 1998

Rev: January 16, 2003

The actual date when the location that would become the Valley View Cemetery was first used for burials is unknown at this time. Previous writings about the cemetery have led the reader to believe it was started in 1890 by the Masonic lodge due to the purchase of the property for the purpose of a public cemetery. These writings even mention the first burial was John C. Lower. (Ref: Death 1-17-1891) I believe this statement to be at least partially misleading due to having located seven graves prior to that time. An explanation simply could be the area prior to 1890 was privately owned and the statement should be that John C. Lower was the first burial after the property was purchased by the Masonic Lodge for a cemetery. Because of the unintentional misconception I believe it is important to list the seven burials prior to 1890. These are listed in burial date order.

1. Johnie Beeker Newton Born: 10-20-1874 Died: 5-10-1878

(son of Charles Samuel & Mary Elizabeth JONES Newton)

2. Johnnie M. Rolls Born: 11-23-1877 Died: 11-15-1878

3. Jane Eliza Bullock Born: 4-9-1849 Died: 4-9-1880

(sister of Charles Samuel Newton)

4. Francis P. Rolls Born: 10-15-1852 Died: 8-10-1881

5. Florence Rufina Newton Born: 9-27-1879 Died: 9-3-1882

(daughter of William F. Newton who is a brother to Charles Samuel Newton)

6. Willie G. Jones Born: 1-21-1884 Died: 11-26-1886

(son of Horace King & Docia HAWKINS Jones)

7. James H. Painter Born: No Date Died: 8-30-1888

On September 1, 1890 the Valley View Masonic Lodge No. 507, purchased four acres of land for $60.00 for the establishment of a public cemetery north of town. The property was purchased from J.S. Fletcher. The Trustees of the Valley View Masonic Lodge, were G. L. Spurlock, S. I. Burk and C. S. Newton. Over the years additional acreage has been acquired. On September 9, 1898 for the sum of $100.00 another four acres was purchased from Thomas D. Johnston. (Mr. Johnston made the transaction living at Alexandria, Louisiana) The Trustees of the Valley View Masonic Lodge was C. S. Newton, S. I. Burks and S. E. Humphries. There must have been some type of problem with this transaction because on July 10, 1902 the same four acres was sold by the Valley View Masonic Lodge Trustees, C. S. Newton, S. I. Burks and S. E. Humphries for $50.00 to A. J. Hudspeth. The same day A. J. Hudspeth joined by his wife A. R. Hudspeth sold the same property back to the Valley View Masonic Lodge for the sum of $50.00. Trustees were C. S. Newton, S. I. Burk and S. E. Humphries. (Other transactions I have not acquired the deeds yet.)

The full names of the people mentioned above are, Dr. G. L. Spurlock, Silas I. Burk, Charles Samuel Newton, Steven E. Humphries and Andrew Jackson Hudspeth and Ann Rebecca HILL Hudspeth. All of these people are buried in the Valley View Cemetery.

There also have been two other cemeteries, one in a pasture owned by Carl Kemplin north of town, and the other on property owned by the Kupper Brothers that is west of town.

In 1942 the Valley View Cemetery Association was organized and has looked after the burial grounds of the public cemetery. T. R. (Thomas Ralph) Couch served as its director for many of the early years until he retired. The Valley View Cemetery is sustained by contributions and a trust fund was established in the early years which helps provide perpetual care. This trust fund was set up in order for the interested ones to leave a bequest, contribute money, leave stock and bonds, land, anything one wishes to leave for this purpose. It has often been said that the only thing getting bigger in Valley View is the grave yard. Current Officers and Directors are;

President: Carl Kemplin

V-President: C. W. (Pete) Gillum

Secretary & Treasure: Mildred Seyler

Directors: Terry Barthold Yuton Harris Royce Martin

Cindy Meyers Norman Newton David Barthold

Carl Kemplin Mildred Seyler C. W. (Pete) Gillum