This Pioneer Cemetery on Rich Mountain has a long and tragic history.
It is a major historic site along the Talimena National Scenic Byway, and is easily accessed from the short trail that leads from the parking area at the pull off from the byway.
A sign at the cemetery reads as follows:
"PIONEER CEMETERY
the cemetery is located on land patented by James L. Witherspoon in April 1861. After his death, his heirs sold the land to E. S. Mosher in 1897 with the exception of a 2-acre tract which was conveyed to his son, John. This tract of land would eventually be sold a total of 5 times before it was acquired by the Forest Service on August 21, 1923 from the Amos Handle Company.
James Witherspoon set aside the 2 acre plot to create a family cemetery. He and his wife, along with one of his children, were buried here. Over time, 20 residents of Rich Mountain were also interred at the cemetery. Marked with native stone, none of the headstones remain legible with the exception of Bill Hefley’s marble headstone. It is believed that the following individuals were laid to rest on this mountain cemetery:
Betty Bowling Davis
Jesse Farless
A. Y. Hays
“Peg-Leg” Keith
John McSlarrow
Bill Putman
Redbird
Grandma Williams
Mr. Williams
Wilkerson (small girl)
James L. Witherspoon
Mrs. Witherspoon
Witherspoon (daughter)
Mr. Wolfenberg
Associated with the cemetery is the story told by former residents of the tragic death of the Wilkerson girl. During a particular bitter winter, all of the Wilkerson family fell ill, except for their daughter and needing firewood, she was sent outside to fetch it. Unfortunately, the young girl came across a pack of wolves and climbed the tree to get away. The next morning her lifeless body was found frozen, still clinging to a tree limb, and with the help of neighbors the grieving family buried their young daughter at Pioneer Cemetery."
From the National Park Service: (
visit link)
"Along the drive are several historic sites and numerous turnouts with panoramic vistas. Many of the sites have exhibits that explain the natural and historical significance of the area. Learn about the prehistoric Caddoan people, early settlers of Rich Mountain, the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), and the Choctaw Nation (tribe) in Indian Territory. Discover interesting facts about the natural environment while absorbing the beauty of shortleaf pine and hardwood forests.
In response to the popularity of ‘driving for pleasure,’ the USDA Forest service established the National Forest Scenic Byway Program in May 1988. This program promotes and recognizes highways in the 156 national forests across 44 states with outstanding scenery and historical significance.
One of the first National forest Scenic Byways, the Talimena Scenic Drive, is located in the western part of the Ouachita Mountains. The drive, designated in February 1989, is between the city limits of Mena, Arkansas and a point of US highway 271 just north of Talihina, Oklahoma.
Constructed by the Oklahoma and Arkansas Highway departments between 1964 and 1969 with federal public highway funds, the route connected two truck trails originally built by Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The Oklahoma and Arkansas highway departments’ now maintain the byway."