Standing alone in a section of Mount Hope Cemetery is a maple tree wrapped in poison ivy and sumac. Beneath it rests two things: a dead branch stripped of its bark by time and weather, and the grave of Gladys Virginia Beard. Her story, one I’ve told countless times, is choked in as much twisted history and corruption as the maple is in poison ivy. Perhaps her resting place is more appropriate than anyone could have anticipated.
Her life was tragically cut short, along with the father of her children in December of 1935. That much we know for sure. But the deaths are shrouded in mystery about who pulled the trigger that took two lives. So much speculation, and perhaps corruption of those meant to protect her. Whatever the truth, children lost their parents that day in a way no child should have to endure. Gladys is buried without her children or their father and she has taken the truth of that fateful day with her. Perhaps she has told the tree and it suffers with her as it stands sentry over her grave. Perhaps not. Perhaps it is still The Story She Keeps.
Gladys Virginia Beard 1909-1935
This posting is for unframed prints only. Prints have a 1 inch bleed to ensure none of the image is covered by frame if not using matting. If you prefer no white edge (image to the edge of the paper), please specify that request.
Standing alone in a section of Mount Hope Cemetery is a maple tree wrapped in poison ivy and sumac. Beneath it rests two things: a dead branch stripped of its bark by time and weather, and the grave of Gladys Virginia Beard. Her story, one I’ve told countless times, is choked in as much twisted history and corruption as the maple is in poison ivy. Perhaps her resting place is more appropriate than anyone could have anticipated.
Her life was tragically cut short, along with the father of her children in December of 1935. That much we know for sure. But the deaths are shrouded in mystery about who pulled the trigger that took two lives. So much speculation, and perhaps corruption of those meant to protect her. Whatever the truth, children lost their parents that day in a way no child should have to endure. Gladys is buried without her children or their father and she has taken the truth of that fateful day with her. Perhaps she has told the tree and it suffers with her as it stands sentry over her grave. Perhaps not. Perhaps it is still The Story She Keeps.
Gladys Virginia Beard 1909-1935
This posting is for unframed prints only. Prints have a 1 inch bleed to ensure none of the image is covered by frame if not using matting. If you prefer no white edge (image to the edge of the paper), please specify that request.
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