Pueblo Pioneer Cemetery, Doyle Dayton Merrill

Almost 145 Years ago, this grave site was a very sad day for local youngsters. 

Visiting him and all the others in the cemetery was also a very sad day for me and my husband. 

First let me say that this cemetery is doing their best to make sure they keep things like this from happening again. The whole area is fenced, and we were definitely “checked” more than once by neighbors and passers by. This cemetery has had a rough time trying to battle the vandals, weather, and water tables. The information signs were lovely and so awesome to read, many of the graves that remain have the stories listed next to the battered stones. I commend this cemetery committee for making the best out of a terrible situation.  This is Pueblo’s Pioneer Cemetery, in Pueblo, Colorado.

This headstone of Doyle Dayton Merrill has seen better days, victim of vandalism many years ago as many of the graves in the cemetery were. This one did not have an information sign, and a battered fence. Erosion is now taking what remains of the stone at a rapid rate. 

This was the point in the cemetery that I began to cry. Not only for him or the condition of his stone, but all the souls that are unknown in the cemetery. While the information signs were awesome, I was reading articles to see if I could find out what catastrophe had struck this cemetery. It is believed that at least 1800 souls are buried here, though only a few hundred stones remained, most of them in terrible condition. The cemetery is so empty for its size. This is my first time visiting this one.

I did find a story for him in an old newspaper and he deserves to be remembered today. They all do. This cemetery made my heart cry. I am among those thankful for the ones that walk everyday in these cemeteries and would report anything amiss. If you see anything wrong with those visiting cemeteries, say something. 

Now first let me say this information was tough to find. The stone is badly eroded and nearly unreadable, thankfully there is a photo of his grave online that is a little more readable. I was able to read the death year, and that helped. The name was the hardest to figure out for finding his profile. It took me a bit of time to find the rest. But I am confident that I found the right info. The death date matches with the older photo of the stone online. I was able to read most of the info on the photo thankfully.

The Colorado Daily Chieftain wrote “The funeral of the late Dayton Merrill was largely attended on Sunday last by the friends of the bereaved. The funeral was a very sad one and not a dry eye was noticeable among the large number of sorrowing friends.” This article was published on September 20th, 1881. His stone says he was aged 20 years and 6 months and 1 day.  

The month before his passing there was also an announcement that he and his friends had taken a trip to Manitou and the surrounding mountains. It was published on August 26th, 1881 and reported that they all had a great time. 

Then an article dated September 18th, 1881 states that he passed from mountain fever after 10 days of lingering illness. He was visited by many young friends of the city for his services. The community gathered around the grief stricken parents as they laid him to rest. He was known to be very well loved and intelligent. A reverend attended to read his rights just before he passed away. When asked if he would like to be baptized he simply said “I am”. This article was blurred and difficult to read but I do believe it says “In his last moments he spoke kindly and friendly of his young comrades.”

There was a thank you from his parents in the paper on September 21st, 1881, expressing their heartfelt thanks for all those who attended. He was an only child. 

May you rest in peace young Doyle Dayton Merrill, along with all of your cemetery comrades. I am thinking of you all today and for the days to come.