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remembered after 161 yearsby Tripp gjrardeautgira rdeau@ aikenstan dard. comThe Graniteville Cemetery is considered one of the most interesting and spooky places in Aiken County, if not South Carolina, and it is home to an old, unique grave that has been a topic of conversation for 161 years this year.Jn a part of the Graniteville Cemetery that cannot be seen from the road, where most all the graves are well more than 100years old, there lays a small, unassuming grave sitting alone that reads, ''The Little Boy with the date October 1B5S.The grave has a small rectangular wall surrounding the front to outline where the boy is buried, and within that rectangle, a visitor to the grave may find an array of toys, flowers, coins and candles.Currently, there is a hand-knitted blanket covering theentire grave.Buddy Wingard is a member the Horse Creek Historical Society, and he has extensive knowledge of the Graniteville Cemetery and the storybehind the grave.Legend has it that in October 1BSS, there was a train going between Charleston and Hamburg, South Carolina, with an unknown boy on board who was noticeably sick and all alone, Wingard said.The boy went unconscious and the conductor took him off the train at the Warren-ville station, which was a half-mile from Graniteville, he said.The child was then taken to the Graniteville Hotel, where he was cared for until he tragically died a few days later. Residents in the town felt so bad for the unknown child who had died all alone in a strange town thatthey rallied together tomakesurehewaslaidto rest with respect and care, Wingard said.A local cabinetmaker built a casket for him, while townspeople contributed scraps of satin and silk for its lining, he said.William Gregg, the founder of Graniteville, had set off land for a cemetery, and he donated the spot where theboy was laid to rest, Wingard said.Wingard said the little boy's grave is in the oldest part of the Graniteville Cemetery, and the original headstone was replaced at some point when restoration was done on older parts of the graveyard. Mow,the little boy can be visited any time of the year.It is common for families to v is itt he grave together. Pare rits who heardthe story as children pass it down to their children. Jt is also traditional to take a gift for the boy to accompany him in the afterlife.However, it is n't really know when the tradition of leavin items on the grave begar though Wingard said man believe it started after the res toration of the grave.For more in formation on th Graniteville Cemetery, visibit.ly/2f2JKrd.STAFF PHOTO 8YTRIPP GIPAP.DEASometime in October l855,an unknown boy was buried in the Graniteville Cemetery, and 161 years later his story ise local legend with his resting place being a spot many still visit.
Newspaper Details
Aiken Standard
Aiken, South Carolina, US
Mon, Oct 31, 2016
Page 3
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
GA, USA 31 Mar 2020
Other Publications Near Aiken, South Carolina
Aiken Daily Mail
Aiken County Rambler
Aiken County Register
Aiken County Journal
Aiken Standard
