Third Annual Cemetery Walk Reviewed

Yesterday afternoon I met the most lively bunch of dead people a person could hope to meet. I am, of course, referring to the Cemetery Walk at the Mountain View Cemetery in Livingston Montana. Everyone of the eight “ghosts” gave me an insight into the character they portrayed. I was entertained, amused, and educated.
If your group is considering staging such an event, The Park County Historical Society and The Park County Genealogical Society could give you some pointers. The afternoon was well planned, the audience was broken down into manageable sized groups, each led by a “B Street Girl.” It is obvious by the way the actors immersed themselves so completely in their roles, their performances represented countless hours of research.
For those who could not attend I will attempt to give you a brief description of the presentations, but as they say, you really had to be there.

Gary Fish, who is active in local theater productions, used his acting skills to bring to life the spirit of Charles Hefferlin. Hefferlin was first and foremost a financier who came to Livingston in 1883. He is remembered as a banker and builder and it was he who built the Hefferlin Opera House, a theater where many famous acts performed.

Gary Fish as Charles Hefferlin

Bob Ebenger portrayed James Goughnour. Goughnour who was once, among other things, a deputy sheriff in Big Timber and the mayor of Livingston. Ebenger is writing the biography of Emannuel Goughnour, James’ father. I will be looking forward to the reading that book when it comes out and will keep you posted.

Fred Shellenberg told the story of his father Fred Shellenberg. He chose not to present his father’s story in first person. The audience chuckled when he explained that he didn’t want to put words in his father’s mouth. His father was the only one of his family to come the United States from Switzerland sometime in the early 1900’s. His role in Livingston history is the time he worked for Montana Power in the facility that was located at the end of 10^th Street.

Milla Cummins, became Emma Scheuber, a well educated, refined lady and member of the Yellowstone Club, the group instrumental in raising the funds to build the library in Livingston. I think that Mrs. Scheuber would have been proud to be portrayed by Milla, the retired director of that same library.

Milla Cummins as Emma Scheuber

Jack Luther, as George Alderson revealed how his character, born in England, took a while to decide what he wanted to do with his life. He traveled back and forth from the mid-west to the west, working at various occupations and starting several businesses before he finally settled in Livingston. At the time of his death he was the owner and editor of one of the local newspapers.

Robert Anderson stood at the grave of Emanuel Fleming for his presentation. He was quick to point out that he was not Emanuel Fleming but Aaron Anderson, aka Bob Fields, the man who was convicted of murdering Fleming. Anderson was hanged for the crime on April 13, 1894. The interesting twist was that Anderson may or may not have been the murderer.

Mardi Whitmore became the rather colorful Josephine Kline. Her witty performance gave the audience a view of an unconventional woman, a single mother who wasn’t afraid to chances. After being treated unfairly in a business deal, she and a friend hitchhiked to Washington D.C. in hopes of talking to the president.

I saved Nancy Adkins, as Nancy Roop Adkins for last. Nancy Roop Adkins was my Great-grandmother. I have to admit that more than once my eyes welled up as Granny’s story was told. It was wonderful to see photos of Granny, gone so many years, along with those of some of her children. Nancy’s performance is the only one that I can judge based on memory. If I closed my eyes for a moment, I could picture her in her little house on South M Street, her final home.I am already looking forward to the fourth annual Cemetery Walk and I am seriously considering joining the Park County Historical Society. The two groups who organized and carried out this event are to be congratulated on it’s success.