Heritage, Volume 11, Number 3, Summer 1993 Page: 18
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Teter's persistence led to the "discovery" of the "old Jewish cemetery down by the river" in LaGrange. The LaGrange Hebrew Benevolent Society in 1868 purchased
a four-acre tract that eventually was the site of 21 burials. Today, a new home stands within sight of the cemetery. Youth groups from Houston and Austin have helped
renovate the grounds and markers. Photograph by Don Teter."When askedfor his name the injured man turned his head and refused to answer. Finally,
when he realized he was dying, he said, "I wish to talk with a Jew; I am Jewish." A lewish
merchant was called to his bedside and requested that the dying man repeat a certain
prayer, which he did in excellent Hebrew. As soon as he completed the prayer, he died..."later encountered was completely unaware
of its existence.
* Bonham
In Bonham, we found the Jewish Cemetery,
an area adjoining the large Willowild
Cemetery where Sam Rayburn is buried.
There were only nine graves, well-marked,
with monuments, and it is uncertain
whether this was a dedicated cemetery or a
section of Willowild.
* Corsicana
There is one very unusual grave in the
beautiful old cemetery at Corsicana.In 1884, a stranger come to Corsicana's
"Trades Day." He had a wooden peg leg and
was either a professional acrobat or stove
salesman. He stretched a wire two stories
high across Collins and Beaton Streets and
proceeded to walk the tightrope with a
stove strapped to his back and a long bar in
his hands to balance himself. When he was
about half way across, he lost his balance
and fell, badly crushed by the stove.
He was carried to a nearby hotel where
a physician attended him. He said he was
Methodist and would like to see a preacher.
One was called, and he prayed for the
injured man. When asked for his name theinjured man turned his head and refused to
answer. Finally, when he realized he was
dying, he said, "I wish to talk with a Jew; I
am Jewish." A Jewish merchant was called
to his bedside and requested that the dying
man repeat a certain prayer, which he did
in excellent Hebrew. As soon as he completed
the prayer, he died.
The Jewish people of Corsicana buried
him in their cemetery and put this simple
inscription on the plain stone marker: Rope
Walker.
In his research, Teter has also found
Jewish cemeteries in cities that no longer
have more than a very few Jewish families.18 HERITAGE * SUMMER 1993
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Texas Historical Foundation. Heritage, Volume 11, Number 3, Summer 1993, periodical, Summer 1993; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth45416/m1/18/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas Historical Foundation.