04/15/2023
Cemetery #3. High Creek Cemetery.
The first burial in the High Creek Cemetery was May 31, 1883, when twin daughters of a family in the neighborhood died of diphtheria. A.M. Bradley was the teacher at the High Creek School at that time and he asked if any of the children wanted to go over to the burial. Charlie Hall and Charles Bartholomew wanted to go. When the boys came back to the school the teacher called them up to the window and looking out towards the cemetery he said "Remember you were at the first burial in the High Creek Cemetery and when you are young men that hillside will be dotted with graves."Some graves from the Steiner Cemetery were moved to High Creek after Steiner was no longer used. In about the year 1885 the Missouri river was engulfing the early day town of Sonora, which was located two miles west of the present day town of Watson. Fearing the river would also cover the cemetery those who could afford it moved the graves of their loved ones to the High Creek Cemetery on the bluff. Which graves were relocated are unknown, but all deaths dating before May 31, 1883, have been moved to High Creek from Steiner or Sonora Cemeteries.
High Creek is one of the older cemeteries in Atchison County, and therefore it contains much history. Names of some of the pioneer families represented there include; Barnhart, Bayless, Frede, Garst, Good, Hall, Hays, Million, Moore, South, Stoner, Watts and York. The eastern border of the cemetery is said to be called "Strangers Rest" the burial site of the poor and needy. Many of these graves are of unknown individuals and therefore unmarked.
FOR MORE INFO:
http://highcreekcemetery.blogspot.com/p/contribute.html
