Posted 5 years ago
oktreedude
(5 items)
KEMPER COUNTY , MISSISSIPPI in eastern MS. where I was raised and remember this gate. Would my community here be on the watch for our gate? It is a beautiful ornate cast iron with a large mossy tree and two sheep laying in foreground. Can be viewed by GOOGLING "Historical cemetery gate taken"
Wednesday, June 26, 2019 12:00 PM
The church was founded 1860 and the cemetery was located there before the church. A iron fence surround the cemetery. The date on the gate had 1869. This theft has struck a nerve in the community.
“So many are heart broken about this,” Wendy said. “It’s not just the gate, it’s the peace and serenity that has been disturbed.”
She added that she wish whoever took the gate would return it, or let someone know where It is.
I did not have a picture of the gate to post. GOOGLE (stolen historical Mississippi gate) but if anyone wants a house in SE OK......
Such a loss! I hope the publicity will prompt the thief to return it.
Maybe the thief thought it was just a pretty gate and does not understand the symbolism represented by the gate.
The tree is a Weeping Willow representing the tears, grief and sadness associated with death of a loved one.
It also suggests longevity, immortality, life after death, resurrection of the soul.
The lambs can represent the grave of a child, and innocence.
To Christians, the lamb represents “Lamb of God”, meaning “Jesus”.
I couldn’t clearly make out the smaller details on the gate but I imagine they represent other symbols of death, grief, rebirth, fidelity, love, and certainly have a religious interpretation.
Maybe Keramikos will be so kind as to delve deeply into the symbolism and post “snips”....they are always thorough!
Maybe if the thief becomes informed that it’s not just lambs lying under a tree, he/she will have a change of heart and return the gate to it’s only proper place.
Thank you everyone !!!
And that 1903 house in McAlester, OK is on the market. Very reasonable