Dennis O'Leary - Santa Fe National Cemetery - Santa Fe, NM
Posted by: iconions
N 35° 41.718 W 105° 56.948
13S E 414127 N 3950568
This sandstone headstone is the largest in the Santa Fe national Cemetery. The Cemetery is located at 501 North Guadalupe Street in Santa Fe.
Waymark Code: WMFDJH
Location: New Mexico, United States
Date Posted: 10/02/2012
Views: 7
Information on the headstone from the National Park Service:
(
visit link)
"A few private headstones are in the cemetery. The most unique marker is a sandstone statue over the grave of Private Dennis O’Leary. O’Leary died on April 1, 1901, at the remote Fort Wingate in northwest New Mexico. Originally interred at the fort’s post cemetery, his remains and marker were transferred to Santa Fe National Cemetery in 1911. Local legend claims that the bored O’Leary carved the statue with the date of his death. On April 1, he committed suicide, leaving a note directing that the marker be placed over his grave. Military records contradict the story, citing tuberculosis as the cause of death, thus leaving the statue and the private’s death a mystery today."
My commentary:
The headstone is carved of sandstone completely in the round. The sculpture is very detailed - the soldier is reclining on a tree stump, the bullets in his belt are clearly visible. He is holding his hat in his right hand and the scroll reads:
Dennis O'Leary
Pvt Co. I 23rd Infantry
Died Apl 1, 1901
Age 23 Yrs, 9 Mos.