20th Annual Live Oaks and Dead Folks Cemetery Tour

The 20th Annual Live Oaks and Dead Folks Cemetery Tour will take place at the Odd Fellows Rest Cemetery in Columbus at 1518 Montezuma St. on Saturday, Nov. 4 beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Tickets are available online at www.nmlfoundation. org/ live- oaks- and- deadfolks- cemetery-tour or in person at the Nesbitt Memorial Library and cost $20 for adults and $10 for students; children under six-years-old enter for free with no ticket required.

Because the number of tickets is limited, advance purchase is required. Click on the link or stop by Nesbitt Memorial Library 529 Washington St. in person to purchase your tickets.

Guided tours commence at 5:30 p.m. around dusk and take the group along winding stops at various grave sites to hear first-hand from the “dearly-departed” themselves! These costumed and animated performers will tell you about their remarkable lives and the history of Old Columbus.

Attendees are encouraged to arrive by 5:15 p.m. to gather with the tour guides. Attendees are also encouraged to bring a flashlight.

In the celebratory spirit of Columbus’s 200th birthday, the tour will feature 13 new characters, some of whom had a connection to the town’s 100th birthday. Visit the event to get the full story for each of these new characters and notable stories from Columbus’ past.

• William F. Archer: a gentleman who moved to Columbus after the Civil War and involved himself in beautification projects in the town.

• Louise Sommers Hastings Buescher: the wife of Judge Henry Buescher who was known for being a man of good character.

• Dr. William W. Gunn: a local dentist that found joy in serving the community.

• Auguest Ilse: a saloon and dance hall owner in Old Columbus.

• Charles Kearney: a hotshot baseball player as well as a local rancher.

• Berthold Leysaht: a businessman who wrote his own obituary.

• Dr. Josiah H. Payne Jr.: practiced medicine during a difficult period for Columbus.

• Sarah Elizabeth Zouks Stafford: the spouse of Bob Stafford who built the Stafford Opera House.

• Gus Steger Jr.: had a dramatic finale to his court room sentencing.

• Howard Asa Townsend: the son of Sheriff Light Townsend

• Lura Perry Traylor: has a sweet, feel-good story from the era.

• Malzena Ann Gregory Zumwalt: lived to be 101 years old.

• Ida Dietrich Zwiener: her spouse was involved in a tragic accident.

The Cemetery Tour was the brainchild of the late Bill Stein, Library Director/Archivist of the Nesbitt Memorial Library from 1997-2008, and the late genealogist Dorothy Albrecht. In 2004, it was one of the first cemetery tours in Central Texas and has been successful since its inception.

Interpreting the lives of Columbus, Texas predecessors in an entertaining environment, it has become known as a premier public history event in Colorado County.

A group of over 30 volunteers make this event possible.