You Never Know What You Might Find

 This has been an odd and difficult year, which is why I haven't written many blog posts lately.  Hubby and I have been mostly staying home and mostly staying away from other people, but somehow, I haven't had the energy to do much research or writing.  And there have been lots of other things besides genealogy taking my time and attention.

A few weeks ago, we took advantage of a beautiful day and went for a drive around Delaware County, Indiana.  Our "goal" was to drive on roads we'd never been on before and so we just wandered the county roads for several hours.

So we are just driving around looking around and we turn a corner and see this:

Our immediate reaction was "What in the world is that?"  This is a little country cemetery and a small church and that structure really stuck out.  So we pulled in and I got out and took more pictures.

Once home, I decided to do some research to see what I could discover about the fancy monument and the three Neeleys buried there.  Find-A-Grave has a photo of Basil and of Hester.  

Basil Neeley and Sarah Suman Neeley were the parents of Hester A. Neeley.  I found a lot about the building of the "elaborate monument" and a bit about Hester and her parents.  

It looks like Basil Neeley was born in 1810 in Virginia.  On 21 March 1833, he married Sarah Suman in Montgomery Co., Ohio.  Sarah was born in 1795.  They appear in Madison Co., Indiana on the 1840 census.  Daughter, Hester, was born 4 July 1835 in Indiana.  She seems to have been their only child.  The family were farmers in Madison Co.  Sarah died in 1855 and was buried in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery near Daleville, Indiana.  Eventually Hester moved to Anderson, Indiana, where she made some wise real estate investments and became very wealthy.  Her father went to live with her shortly before his death.  He died in 1894 and was buried in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.

In 1901, Hester began the planning and construction of the elaborate monument.  There are many newspaper articles about it - too many to include them all.  The first one I found is dated 17 January 1901 from page 3 of the Elwood Free Press, Elwood, Indiana:

"ELABORATE MONUMENT -- Will Be Erected in a Cemetery in Richland Township.       Hester Ann Neely has let an order with McCarty & Son, of Anderson, monument builders, for a monument to cost $10,000.  The monument is to be erected to the memory of the parents of Miss Neely in the Mt. Pleasant cemetery in Richland township, where they are buried.  The monument will be by far the prettiest and most expensive ever erected in this section of the state.  It is to be fifteen feet high and fifteen feet square and will be of bronze and of canopy shape.  Miss Neely is probably the wealthiest lady in Madison county.  There is no one who seems to know exactly what she is worth."

And here are some others:

From The Indianapolis News of April 20, 1901 (this includes a photo of Hester):  "RICH WOMAN'S TRIBUTE --- BUILDING A $10,000 MONUMENT TO HER PARENTS. -- It will be Erected Over the Graves in Delaware County -- Ordered by Hester A. Neeley.    (Special to the Indianapolis News).    ANDERSON, Ind., April 20 -- Work is progressing in this city on the $10,000 monument, ordered by Miss Hester A. Neely, of this city, to mark the last resting place of her parents in a rural cemetery in Mt.Pleasant township, Delaware county.  McCarthy & Son are the contractors, and they expect to finish their work in two months.  It will be unlike any monument ever erected in the State, and it is on a plan suggested by Miss Neely.  She outlined her views in advance, and sketches and plans were submitted by a number of competitors, and she selected the one designed by Mr. McCarthy.  It was estimated that the cost would be $10,000, but this was a secondary matter to Miss Neely.     The drawings represent a canopy monument of granite, marble and bronze.  It will be fifteen feet square, and fifteen and one-half feet in height.  Inside of the pillars is a space twelve feet square, to be occupied by three white Italian marble vaults.  In two of the vaults the bodies of her parents will lie, while the third is reserved by Miss Neely for herself.     These vaults are under ground.  Around the base of the canopy of the monument will be two ranges of bare granite.  On this rests the bronze work, beginning with twelve pillars, surmounted with Corinthian caps; the pillars joined with the cornice of the canopy.  The roof will be of Gothic style, beautifully carved and frescoed.  At the center top will rest a dome surmounted by a Corinthian cross.  Around the canopy, resting on the granite range, will be the railing and bronze flower and scroll work, and the railing will be carved in original designs. There will be a gate four feet wide leading to the interior and the vaults.  An idea of the mass of material and work required is shown by the fact that two carloads of granite will be used in the base of the monument.     The building of this magnificent monument can not be regarded as representing extravagance or an attempt at public display for Miss Neely is amply able to build many such monuments.  Furthermore, she never loved any one so dearly as she did her parents.  She was the only daughter of Basil and Sarah Suman Neely, and was born July 4, 1835, in Union township, Madison county.  She removed with her father from the old homestead, June 14, 1893, to this city.  Her mother died in 1856, and her father soon after coming here.  Miss Neely built a commodious home on West Sixth street, which she has furnished comfortably but not lavishly.     She has quite a collection of old China, some rare books and many quaint implements in her house.  While she is reputed to be the richest woman in Madison county, she is modest and unselfish.  She has done many acts of charity which never became public.  At one time she assumed a large indebtedness on a young church and gave the congregation a start.  Miss Neely has also aided  the Free Kindergarten Association.  She manages her own business affairs and remains close at home.  Much of the time she is alone, but apparently very happy.  During the last month her health has declined, and she has not been able to leave the house." 

The monument was completed in late August 1901.  An article from the Muncie Star Press includes this information:   "The old Neely homestead two miles northwest of Daleville is just across the line in Madison county.  I presents a desolate appearance.  The house has not been occupied for four years and is going to decay.  The barns and other outbuildings are falling down and the orchards are a wilderness.... Until two years ago Miss Neely owned a piece of property in Daleville but she sold it and except a heavy interest in zinc mines at Joplin, Mo., all her property holdings are in Madison county.  Miss Neely is the only survivor of her father's family.  Her father, Basil Neely, was comparatively a poor man when he died.  He retired from his farm to Anderson where some lucky investments laid the foundation for Miss Neely's great wealth."

Apparently all the attention given to the monument led to Hester being deluged with offers of marriage.  The papers stated that she had been "greatly annoyed" by the many suitors.

An article from the Muncie Star Press dated April 27, 1902 (page 3) gives a detailed description of Hester's home along with a sketch of the farm house where she grew up.  Here is that article:

By 1910, Hester was ill.  One of her cousins sued to have her declared insane in order to take control of her money.  The cousin was not successful.  She continued to manage her own affairs.  She died November 11, 1911 and was buried between her parents under the elaborate monument.  

Letter to Minnie Stilwell from Cora (last name unknown)

 This letter from Cora to Minnie E. Stilwell is addressed: "Miss Minnie E. Stilwell, Ripon, Fond du lac Co., Wis." and postmarked "Lime Springs, Ioa, Jan. 16."  However, the letter is dated Saturday, Aug. 27th, so I wonder if it is stored in the wrong envelope? There is no year, but August 27th fell on a Saturday in 1881 and 1887, so it is likely one of those years.   Here is a transcription of the letter:

                                                 "Saturday Afternoon,   Spring Valley, Aug. 27th

My Darling Friend,

    I have just finished my work for to day, and am feeling rather tired, but thought I would try and write you for it has been sometime since I received your precious letter, but I am afraid that if  I waited until I felt just like it, I would not write many letters, for to tell the truth I have felt miserable all summer.  The heat uses me up.  It is so warm today there is scarcely breath of air stirring.  It seems as if I should smother.  It looks some like rain and I really hope it will.  That is, if it makes it any cooler.  I shall be rather glad when winter comes, but hope it will not be quite as hard as last.  There comes two of the girls here now so I suppose I will have to leave this and go down stairs.  A pretty looking sight I am to (sic).  I sat down to write with my old dress and slippers on thinking what an easy time I would have writing to you but it is just my luck to get caught looking like a fright (always look the most natural there).  I always enjoy having the girls call.  Some of them are here every day and I go to see them quite often.

    Well the girls have gone and I went down town with them and when I returned had to get supper and do up the work and have but just got settled.  Wonder what will happen next.  Mother scolds sometimes and think (sic) I go most too much, but whats the use I have got to have some fun anyway.  There is nothing going on now, but then you know in town there is some place to go or some girl after me to go down town.  And that is the way it goes.  Oh if you girls only lived near me so I could see you once in awhile.  I know I should be perfectly happy.  You don't know how often I think of it.  It seems sometimes as if I would do almost anything to see you.  I do wish you and Edie could come out and make me a visit.  I am almost sure you would like it here and I know we would enjoy ourselves talking at least.  I believe I can beat you girls at that now, for I have had to do so much of it out here.  Have had to do so much begging for the church.  Us girls have made over eighty dollars to help pay the interest.  Don't you think that is pretty good for such young ones.  It is late so I will have to retire and finish this in the morning.  I guess you will think I had better for I have written so poorly, but I am awful nervous, the children act so.  Good night dear, pleasant dreams.

    Sunday morning has dawned clear and bright, not much cooler than yesterday but very pleasant nevertheless.  The second bell for church is just ringing but I guess I will not go this morning.  Father and Grandpa are going.  I suppose I ought to but twice a day is about all I can stand for I never stay out of Sabbath School, if I can help it.

    Yes I to (sic) am glad to live where I can attend church regularly.  I think I appreciate it more fully now for being deprived of it so much when at Wis.  Mother scolds me for not going in the morning instead of evening.  She thinks it is better for girls, but I don't.  I have my reasons, for tonight I am going with a new fellow.  That is, am not very well acquainted with as I have been with him but twice.  He came home with me from church two evenings, but I like him quite well.  Think he is terrible cute.  Since I found out that I have lost Emmett for good, I am perfectly reckless.  Too bad, isn't it?  I guess I shall get over it after awhile.  Well, how is it with you?  Do you feel as badly as ever?  I am sorry for you, but cheer up, Minn.  There are lots of others.  So E.A.K. is going to marry a grass widow twenty six years old.  I think they are both most to (sic) young don't you?  I must not talk so.  Please don't say anything about what I write, for to tell the truth I am glad he has found some one and I hope she will have a good influence over him for he needs some one to watch over him.

    So Willie is out again, is he?  That is too bad.  I do hope he will have better luck next time.  Well I guess this will do on that subject.

    I went out in the country last Thursday to a quilting.  Had a splendid time.  There were seventeen girls.  Three of us stayed all night and did not get home until next afternoon.  We got the quilt nearly off.  It seemed so nice to get out of town and quite natural to me, or would if I could only looked away and seen your pleasant home, as I used to do.  I was looking at that picture of your family the other and you all looked so natural it seemed as if some of you must speak to me.  I must tell Warren what the girls say when they look at it.  Who is that cute fellow?  And then I always tell them that it doesn't look nearly as well as he does.  Don't get discouraged for I will send you my photo one of these days.  When I can get some good ones taken, which I can not here.  Elva is jabbering away.  She can't say words yet, but grows like a weed.  I know she would like to see her auntie.  Etta & Lillie send a kiss to your mother & father.  Send love to all.  They will write to Charlie & Nett before long but the do act so about writing letters.  Seem to think that I can do it all.  I will send you a piece of my new calico dress.  Its not so very handsome but the best I could get here.  It has three ruffles on the underskirt... overskirt and sack shirred at the back of the waist and the same in the front.  I am going to have a new worsted dress.  I want dregs of wine but have not decided yet.  I suppose you are glad that Mati has got home.  I wrote to her last.  Write soon.  With much love and many kisses I remain as ever your loving friend      Cora

Will answer Edie's letter soon."

 There is not enough info here to identify Cora.  She seems to be a friend and possibly a former neighbor of Minnie's.  She mentions Minnie's siblings: Edith, Annette, Warren.  

Also enclosed in the letter are two scraps of fabric that must be from the dress Cora mentions.