The most visited grave in Goldfield is that of the Unknown Man Died Eating Library Paste. But, the famous cemetery is filled with stories of life in the Wild West. While most stories revolve around who is buried at the historic cemetery, a few are about those who dug the graves, including Goldfield’s Grave Digger’s grave.
John F. Meagher
John F. Meagher was born in Iowa on January 18, 1845. He mined in Colorado and had multiple claims on Independence Pass in Pitkin County.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Meagher moved to Goldfield in 1905 or 1906. Thomas Dunn, the undertaker, employed Meagher as a grave digger. During the winter of 1906, when Goldfield had a “large death list,” Meagher reportedly made a fortune and employed multiple additional diggers.
By 1918, Meagher was an aged and feeble man, but he continued to dig graves for Goldfield. Diggers often ran into rocks at the cemetery. Explosives blasted through the rock so the rows could remain orderly.
On March 27, 1918, Meagher was digging a grave in the Catholic section of the cemetery. It appeared that after he set the explosive, he was unable to climb out of the grave. The explosion sent a rock into Meagher’s brain, and it is thought, and hoped, that he died instantaneously.
Neighbor Mrs. May noticed newspapers pilled on Meagher’s porch. She and Tom May, the road supervisor, went to the cemetery to investigate. They found Meagher dead in the grave.
Meagher was only 73 when he died. He reportedly had a sister in Omaha whom The Knights of Columbus attempted to reach.
Goldfield’s Grave Diggers Grave
In a twist of fate, the cemetery interred Meagher, where he died. The Coroner “held an inquest on the body.” Records do not clarify if Meagher’s body was removed from the grave or remained where he fell.
(Credit of Find-a-Grave)
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References
References
- Find a grave: John F. Meagher
- Goldfield Historical Society: Goldfield Cemetery Stories
Richard Mcgrew says
That’s a crazy story.
Tami says
Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction!
Henry Duchene Jr says
I just got back from a seven-day road trip to Bonnie Claire, Beatty, Goldfield, Manhattan, Belmont, a few others and Delamar. I only explore in the winter cold weather … less (no) traffic, no insects, no people or very few. I go out between November and late March, again depending on the weather. I just want to mention to the readers that the road into Delamar is extremely rough and outright dangerous. The last 2 – 3 miles going over the mountain, has not been maintained for decades. The 2 – 3 miles are nothing but loose sharp rocks, large boulders, deep wide holes some filled with water. It’s a very narrow, one lane road (for two-way traffic) with a cliff at one side and a dirt wall on the other. There is no room for a turn around. Some boulders are 18″ plus above ground and there is no room to go around them. I had to drive over them. The deep holes were just as rough. I was driving so slow that my speedometer registered “zero.” Those last miles have to be the worse miles I have ever been on. But it was worth visiting but I have no plans to go back. I drive a FJ 4X4 with a factory lift.
Thanks for all your work and information. I use your information as a guide for my trips.
Tami says
Sounds like a great trip.
It is always a good idea to know road conditions and your driving and vehicle capabilities.
Bonnie Black says
Have you photographed all the graves in this cemetery, Tami? I’m looking for a photo of the grave of John Mullen or Mullan, died 1922. His death certificate looks just like the one you posted of John F. Meagher, and it was signed by the same person, T.F. Dunn.
Tami says
I haven’t. It makes sense that the same person signed them, probably the equivalent of a medical examiner.
Below is what I found on Find-a-Grave. My guess would be the headstone and grave are lost to time. I think the cemetery headstones are well documented. I checked both the Pioneer and Goldfield Cemetery (right next to each other but separate).
If you are trying to document more, check with Allen at the Northern Nevada Museum in Tonopah. He is the local expert and a super nice man. They have files of photos too from the region, I don’t know if they are organized by person.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/275112513/john-mullen
Bonnie Black says
Thanks, Tami! I was the one who created that memorial on Find-a-Grave, after finding his death record. I wrote to you hoping for a photo of his grave, but it’s possible there was never a headstone. He was a rather disreputable character, I’ve learned. Perhaps some day, someone will come along that was related to him back in Ireland, since, as far as I know, he was alone in this country. I found him in the 1910 census in Pioneer, and in the 1920 census in Tonopah, alone in both. I’ve posted one of your photos there, so please check it out and let me know if you mind. If it’s all right, and you don’t mind giving me your full name, I will amend “Tami” to whatever you say. Write to me at my email address, if you like and I can tell you a story about your name.
Bonnie Black says
Tami, I meant to tell you too, that I cropped your photo just a tiny bit so it would show up better on that site, and I hope you don’t mind. Please let me know.
Bonnie
Tami says
I haven’t been helping Stan Paher all weekend at Candy Dance so have been off-line. I’ll look at the listing this week. I can get you a full sized photo which will be better quality.
Bonnie Black says
Thanks, Tami! Do you want your full name to be on that photo as photographer?
Tami says
Just catching up. My full name is Tami Force.