Elijah Olbert Linch

1839-1907

Confederate Calvary and Navy Veteran

This author took it upon himself to obtain a Veteran's Grave Marker for Elijah's grave at the Elder-Linch Cemetery in Turin, GA.

The U S Government provides grave markers for any Veteran.

I competed the paperwork, provided the required proof of military service and ordered the grave marker and mailed it in early November, 1999. In mid December, 1999, I called the 800 number provided on their web site to check the status of the marker; after a rather lengthy hold, I was informed that the order was in place and to expect the marker in late March 2000. A couple of days later to my surprise a delivery truck showed up at my house with Elijah's marker.

The marker is made of marble and weighs 133 pounds.

My cousin Richard Rafter came to Sarasota, FL, for a visit and he and I delivered the marker to my mother's house in East Point, GA. The next day she and I took the marker to the Elder-Linch cemetery. We were shocked and saddened by the land clearing around this pristine graveyard. We left the heavy marker near the entrance of the cemetery. I was going to return the next day with a friend from Tyrone, GA, and place the marker near Elijah's grave.

My friend and I returned the next afternoon ( 5/14/2000 ) and saw a pick up truck near the cemetery's entrance. We pulled up to where I left the marker and were shocked to see the marker had vanished! Then looking down to the area of Elijah's grave, I saw two people at his grave. We then walked down there and I saw the marker on a hand cart and immediately recognized the man, my cousin, John Linch ( who I have not seen in some 40 years - he is a spitting image of his father ).  He was visiting his grandfather  Elijah's grave and saw the marker.

The marker was placed and we picked up the broken parts of the grave and leaned them on the tomb.

Elijah, you now have the recognition that you deserve for your gallant war service, may you rest in eternal peace in this special cemetery in the woods along with your mother and father, your wife and many of your children. 

Look away, look away, Dixie's Land....