In honor of police week coming up (May 15th) Evergreen Washelli wanted to share a unique story of one of the many Police officers we have buried in our cemetery. There will be a ceremony coming up where Charles O. Legate will be receiving a new marker in celebration of Police Week, and in honor of the sacrifice he paid carrying out his job as a Police officer. Legate was thought to have been murdered because he threatened to expose wrongful doings that were occuring at the time. Even at the cost of death Legate upheld his morals and duties to protect the city. Below is a picture of the proof of the new marker that will be replacing the old temporary marker that is now in place.
Officer Charles O. Legate is found murdered on March 17, 1922.
On March 17, 1922, Officer Charles O. Legate (1872-1922) is found murdered in a locked garage on his beat near 12th Avenue and Jackson Street. At first, the death is ruled a suicide, but is later discovered to be murder.
In the early morning hours of March 17, Legate went missing from his beat. Officers went to a garage where Legate kept his car and found him inside with the doors locked. He was dead with two gunshot wounds and a gash to his head. His revolver was found nearby with two rounds fired.
The suspects involved had manipulated the crime scene; leading detectives to originally believe his death was a suicide. Evidence later convinced investigators that Officer Charles O. Legate was murdered determined because the wounds to his head were later found to have come from a different gun.
Four years later, Police Chief William B. Severyns, who was appointed to clean up the Seattle Police Department after Legate’s death, wrote in a series of articles in the Seattle Union Record, “It was something in the inner workings of the tenderloin that brought Legate’s murder ….[It might have been] a quarrel over the division of spoils. There had been hard feelings between Legate, other policemen, and other underworld characters, and … Legate had threatened to squeal. One of two men, or both, did the shooting. One of these men was a policeman. The other was an underworld character, a dealer in liquor and dope” (Victor, 167).
The Purple Heart Medal is a United States military decoration awarded by the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving with the U.S. military. Being presented with this medal is a way to honor these military members with their courageous acts in the name of their country. This medal is something to be proud of, and wear with honor. That being said, one might wonder why anyone would part with their medal if they were to receive one? That is one of the many thoughts and questions that occurred in our minds when a Purple Heart Medal was left on Washelli’s very own “Doughboy” statue, which stands tall in front of the Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery at Evergreen-Washelli.
The “Doughboy” statue was given as a gift to the Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery at Washelli, as a dedication to all that have served. The “Doughboy” depicts a young soldier as “just returning from a victory- with a grim smile on his face”. The statue holds the cremated remains of veterans and their spouses. Needless to say, this is a treasured and loved statue to many, especially veterans because of what the statue represents; those who have made it home from service, and those who did not have the chance to return.
When the Purple Heart Medal was left upon the foot of the “Doughboy” statue anonymously, it was clear that it was left in a manner of respect for the Veterans and those who currently serve in the military. Although this was understood, we are still left one to ponder what the thought process might have been behind leaving this medal here, and why it was left anonymously? Perhaps the person who left the medal had previously earned it in the line of duty, and was ready to share it with others. Perhaps the medal had been passed down to them, and they thought that it should be with those who deserved it- such as the fallen soldiers in our Veterans Cemetery. Maybe there are cremated remains of someone in the statue who the person believed deserved the medal. Maybe the person left the medal anonymously because they simply wanted to honor the veterans as a whole? The mind is truly left to wonder, what the true meaning behind this gesture was, because there could be so many possibilities and explanations.
Although it might never be possible for us to fully understand this gesture without knowing who left this medal, we can say that this medal is something that we will treasure and display in our Funeral Home for time to come. There have been anonymous items left in the past that Evergreen-Washelli has speculated as to what the significance is, and what it means to the individual who left it. Because there are so many stories and people, it is an interesting and fun thought thinking you will truly never know what you could find.
On Monday, May 13th, 2013, 100 Alaska Airlines workers and families will be helping to prepare the graves for the upcoming Memorial day event. They will be helping to hand wash and prepare the 5,000 veterans’ headstones in time for the Memorial Day Celebration. A big thank you to Alaska Airlines who are choosing to do this as one of their HR events- helping make this day even more special.
This is a closed event, but if you would like to find out more information about this event and what you can do to help please contact Brenda Spicer at Bspicer@washelli.com.
For many Americans, Memorial Day is not just a day for getting together with family and friends. It is a day to celebrate a life lived, a time to decorate the grave with fresh flowers, but even more importantly, to clean and maintain the grave marker.
For tips on how to clean your granite marker or monument click here
At 7:00 AM the morning of Memorial Day, there will be a Flag Placement at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Each of the 5000 white marble upright markers in our Veterans Section will receive a flag placed by hundreds of volunteers that will come out for this event. Veterans, Scout groups, neighbors, Veterans, churches, local organizations and families, to name a few, will be among those who place the flags.
This is a Public event, and we would love for you to join us. If you have any questions please feel free to call Brenda Spicer at 206-362-5200, or email us at Veterans@washelli.com
This Ceremony is a way to remember and honor those who have served and are currently serving.
This is news coverage from King 5 News, on our Flag placement Ceremony the previous year.
To Learn more about of Veterans Section, click here.
We are now in the spring season and as the weather warms up around us, there is an abudance of flowers blooming and beautiful changes occuring within the cemetery. With these changes an increase in maintenance activity occurs within our cemetery as well. For example, Lawn mowing of the cemetery grounds will occur on a daily basis. You may have questions on what is appropriate display for grass level markers, monuments and niches. This is why we have listed here our standards on flower placement to assist you in picking out the most appropriate tribute for your loved one.
Memorial lawn gardens:
Cut flowers or potted plants: are encouraged throughout the year. Cut flowers may be placed at the gravesite in ground level cemetery vases or temporary cone vases. Plants up to 8 inches in size should be displayed on the marker to assist with mowing. Due to limited display space we encourage two placements per burial space.
Plants and flowers: will remain in place until they become wilted, faded or unsightly; at this time they will be removed and recycled.
Potted plants and cut flowers: may contain fertilizing elements or other materials that can cause rusting. We recommend caution when placing on a bronze or granite memorial as discoloration may result.
Seasonal decorations: Holiday tributes (e.g. Mother’s Day, Easter, Father’s Day, and Memorial Day) are encouraged. All tributes will be removed one week after the holiday. Artificial flowers are not allowed due to mowing season.
Columbarium decorations:
Care must be given when placing flowers and decorations so as not to visually block or impede upon other niche property.
Niche flower vases: are designed for fresh-cut flowers. Artificial flowers are not allowed except as a seasonal decoration.
Potted plants: in pots up to 6 inches in diameter with a maximum of one plant per niche may be placed on the floor for families with floor-level niches. Drip trays are a necessary for all potted plants. When placing your plant, care should be taken to avoid risk of a trip hazard for other visitors.
Seasonal decorations: Holiday tributes (e.g. Mother’s Day, Easter, Father’s Day, and Memorial Day) are encouraged. All tributes will be removed one week after the holiday. Artificial flowers allowed during this time.
Click here for a printable copy of our standards for flower display. It includes additional information on our hours of operations, safety policy and other helpful tips.
Evergreen Washelli and Abbey View Memorial Park are home to many different species of wildlife. As spring and summer approach us, there are more noticeable wildlife in our cemeteries. Some common visitors and resident wildlife within our cemeteries include: raccoons, Canadian geese, opossums, squirrels, coyotes, rabbits, and many varieties of birds. Here are some interesting facts, and also some of our struggles with some of the wildlife within our cemeteries.
Raccoons and other small animals
Raccoons and other small animals are permanent residents within our cemeteries. They tend to be more active during the night, and can often leave a path of destruction behind them. Noticeable activity and damage by raccoons can be recognized as large chunks of turf torn apart and strewn about. They can completely tear apart a lawn, especially in the fall, in search of grubs that lie underneath the grass.
Other Small animals such as opossums and squirrels are also prevalent in the cemetery. Opossum damage can vary from large areas of lifted up turf caused by adult animals, to smaller holes and areas caused by younger animals. Ground squirrels can also be seen onsite, and their trails visible. Squirrels make a series of tunnels and trails all throughout large open areas of lawn. You may see holes about the size of a silver dollar where they enter and exit. They also love to eat your flowers and vegetation!
Canada Geese
During the warmer climate changes in Seattle, flocks of Canada Geese are more noticeable in our cemeteries due to migration. Geese tend to love Evergreen Washelli as an area to make their own because our large amount of land and grass available for them to graze upon. At times this can impose difficulties. One struggle that can occur with the abundance of geese is the presence of their feces on the gravesite and grave markers. This can understandably bring upon Family complaints, because the feces can often be mistaken for canine feces. Because Canada Geese are wild birds and were nearly instinct in the past, they are protected under the Wildlife Act 1953. Under federal and state law and a hunting license and open season are required to hunt them. Violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Wildlife Act, which includes hunting, removing, or endangering the geese can result in heavy fines. We do our best to accommodate these birds as part of our wildlife within the cemetery, and try to manage their habits as best as possible.
Crows
We have many varieties of birds at Evergreen Washelli and Abbey View Memorial Park, and a very commonly seen bird are Crows. They are known for their mischievous activities at times. One of their favorite activities to do is wait for a family to place new flowers with fresh water, then the mischievous activities begin. They will take the flowers out of vases so they are able to reach the water, and use this water as a bathing source. This is extremely enjoyable to them, seeing as the water is fresh. Families may often be confused to come back perhaps the next day with their brand new flowers that were placed, now scattered over the ground. The Crow is usually the culprit when it comes to this occurrence, and we try to monitor this the best we are able.
March is Women’s History Month; help us celebrate two women that have made a big impact on our cemetery as well as Seattle’s history. Louisa Denny and her husband David Denny were the founders of Evergreen Washelli and Seattle, WA. David and Louisa Denny’s daughter Emily Inez Denny was a well noted writer. Evergreen Washelli is proud to celebrate and recognize the lives lived of notable women that helped to shape who Evergreen Washelli is today. We invite you to read about the lives of these women, and share your stories about women who made history.
Evergreen Washelli originated in 1884 by David and Louisa Denny. David Denny is credited to being a part of the Denny party that has founded Seattle, WA. The Denny’s during the late 1800’s to 1900’s were well known for their purchasing of land investments in Seattle, WA. David and Louisa Denny purchased a property in North Seattle and built a cemetery called Oak Lake. Throughout the decades, Oak Lake Cemetery entered into a series of mergers, with the newly organized Evergreen Cemetery established in the 1920s.
Over 100 years has pasted since the opening of Evergreen Washelli; the cemetery is now 144 acres. Today the cemetery is now home to over 200,000.00 residents and is operated on both sides of Aurora Ave N. in Seattle. Most members of the Denny party can be located within the Washelli section of the cemetery. Come visit our office today to locate the Denny Memorial to cherish a piece of Seattle’s history.
Six-term U.S. Congressman whose legacy inspires others to this day. Born in Redfield, South Dakota, Roy William Wier moved with his parents in 1896 to Minneapolis. He learned the telephone and electrical trade, and then worked in theatrical stage lighting. During World War I, Wier served 18 months in the US Army and was stationed overseas. In 1920, he became active in the trade-union movement, later becoming a representative of the Trades and Labor Assembly of Minneapolis. Wier was a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1933 to 1939 and belonged to the Minneapolis Board of Education from 1939 to 1948. He was on the board of directors for his local Red Cross and was elected six times to serve in Congress from January 3, 1949 to January 3, 1961. In May of 1962, Wier moved to Edmonds and he died the following year, but more than 40 years after his death, he is still well remembered. On November 17, 2007, Gavin Sullivan, a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, pledged to dedicate his seat to “the proud legacy of Congressman Roy Wier…(who was) a champion for the little guy and a bold fighter for better education, for the fair treatment of American workers and for clean politics.”
On March 17, 1922, Officer Charles O. Legate (1872-1922) is found murdered in a locked garage on his beat near 12th Avenue and Jackson Street. At first, the death is ruled a suicide, but is later discovered to be murder.
