Inez Clarke
(Sept. 20, 1873–Aug. 1, 1880)

This grave with the statue of a young girl is marked “Inez” and “Daughter of J.N. & M.C. Clarke.” For decades the girl’s identity had been in question. It is now all but certain that the girl is Inez Briggs, the daughter of Mary C. Clarke from a previous marriage. Legends of the girl have been numerous. One states she died when struck by lightning during a picnic or when locked outside ... from this came another that the statue disappears during thunderstorms because Inez is so afraid.

photo and text by Joe Collier