Cedarview Dry Valley Eclipse Long's Seneca Virginia
The Virginia Cemetery is located on the Eugene James ranch, about 10 miles north of Mullen, NE. It was founded in January of 1923 by a surveyor from Broken Bow. Virginia James donated the land at a meeting of the newly founded Cemetery Association. It comprises the northwest quarter of section 18 in T.25. The original Articles of Incorporation stated that the cemetery was not supposed to consist of more than two acres.
It was named the Virginia Cemetery because many of the people in that surrounding community had originally came from Grayson County, Virginia. The aforementioned surveyor, A.J. Antwerp, suggested it be called “Blizzard Cemetery” because the first time he tried to make his plans, a tremendous blizzard arose and halted his progress. It was also suggested it be named “Tragedy Cemetery” because of the many sad stories that go along with it.
One of the most heart wrenching of these is that of James Murray and his wife Lee, who was pregnant. They were killed in a tornado on September 28, 1923, just a few miles east of the cemetery. Lester Parson found the buildings demolished and the bodies later in the field. Lee was still alive but died shortly afterwards. James and Lee's two young sons were alive and found huddled at their mother's side.
Another horrible story of those who rest at Virginia Cemetery is that of Bill Smith who was murdered at his home in December of 1923. His wife Lottie and the hired man Clinton Smith were found guilty and served time in the State Penitentiary.
The Loup River also played a part in the tragedy of Virginia Cemetery when a young teacher, Vera James, drowned in the water in 1933.