The Texarkana Museums System in conjunction with the Texarkana Genealogical Society is bringing "Cemetery Workshops and Tours" to Texarkana on Saturday October 25. 

So much history lies beneath the earth in Texarkana's Historical Cemeteries. For instance, one of the most impressive cemetery markers in the Ark-La-Tex is located in Rose Hill Cemetery.

The marker denotes the grave site of Corporal Otis Henry. Henry was born in Dennison, Grayson County, Texas June 22, 1894 to Jack and Susan Henry. Otis spent his early years in Johnson County, Texas. Jack Henry was a brakeman on the railroad and most likely, his occupation led to the family’s move to Texarkana.

1900 Federal Census
1900 Federal Census
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However, hard times hit the family when Jack Henry died. His death date is unknown but occurred sometime after the 1900 census and before the 1910 census. Otis’ mother, Susie, married Stewart “Tate” Wilder in 1910 when Otis was 16 years old. When Otis was just 23 years old he registered for the draft in Bowie County, Texas. On his World War I Draft Registration Card, he reported he worked at a Soda Dispensary in Shreveport, Louisiana. He also reported he was single and had no exemption from the draft. The examiner described him as of medium height and stout with gray eyes and dark brown hair. Otis’ signature is found on his draft card.

Otis Henry Draft Card
Otis Henry Draft Card
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Otis was one of many Bowie County, Texas men who went off to fight in World War I. Sadly, Otis was the first solider from Texarkana Texas to die on foreign soil. War records indicate that Otis Henry was gassed near Vincey, Lorraine, France on 6 October 1918. His body was not disinterred and returned to Texas for many years. As his mother’s only child, Susan Tate Henry Wilder worked hard to save the money for the massive sculpture which adorns Rose Hill Cemetery. The marker was not installed until 1931. The cemetery is on South Leila Street, ironically, just a few blocks away from where Susan lived out the rest of her days. Susan outlived not only her son but two husbands and died in 1941. Her gravesite is next to her son’s.

Screen Cap via El Paso Herald - November 7, 1918
Screen Cap via El Paso Herald - November 7, 1918
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The monument itself was built by Allen Monument Company but the Smithsonian record states “the figures were ordered” most likely from another company. Researchers say the Doughboy standing tall above the gravesite resembles others created by McNeel Marble of Marietta, Georgia. The Doughboy is wearing a helmet and holding a grenade high above his head. His rifle is in his left hand. The statue below denotes Henry in his civilian life in a suit and bow tie and is centered between two angels. The angel on the right has a tunic with 5 stars representing the 5 wounds of Christ. The angel on the left has an upside down torch that symbolizes sudden death and holds a wreath symbolizing victory.

Sadly, vandals have broken off pieces of the monument including the gun depicted in the marble monument. The marker is in desperate need of restoration but continues to be a impressive monument to a mother’s love of her child.

Submitted photos
Submitted photos
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This and many other fantastic stories from the people that came before us are to be featured in the "Cemetery Workshops and Tours" presented by the Texarkana Museum Systems and the Texarkana Genealogical Society. For more info visit TexarkanaMuseumSystems.org or call 903-793-4831.

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