The Eilar grave is no longer visable, but was clearly documented in deed
records. Mary Gilmore, the granddaughter of Mary Jane Eilar writes:
The Deed Record #8, page 643 in Pend Oreille Co., Washington, No.
16683, dated 15th June, 1920, records the location of the gravesite
with the inclusion of the following words: "Reserving thereon the
grave of Mary J. EILAR and one hundred (100) square feet of the surface
thereon with the right of way for ingress and ingress thereto so long
as same shall remain thereon."
This property can be found in the Selkirk Mountain range off Rte
31, north of Ione, WA., described in the Deed as follows: "The Southwest
(S.W. 1/4) of the North West Quarter (N.W. 1/4), viz: Lot Three (3);
the North East Quarter (N.W. 1/4) of the South West Quarter (S.W.
1/4), viz: Lot Seven (7); and the South West Quarter (S.W. 1/4) of
the South West Quarter (S.W. 1/4) viz Lot 8 in Section Eighteen (18)
Township Thirty-Eight (Twp. 38) North, Range Forty Three (N.R. 43)
E.W.M.
This is quite a climb, the present owners had not even been aware
there was a gravesite on the property, it is mostly now re-foresting
itself, although all were aware of the cabin remains. It is almost
directly northwest and across from the present Box Canyon Dam & railroad
trestle as can be seen in the one photograph here included. The roadway
is just visable up the hill, but it is rapidly becoming grown over,
although some logging has taken place helping to keep it open, but
not to the common car, it would take a four wheel vehicle and perhaps
not even that could navigate it..
The Homestead was sold by Benjamin H. Eiler, son of Mary J. Eilar,
(note this spelling difference is often found in records, either is
correct) Benjamin is my Uncle, oldest brother of my father John M.
Eilar, Jr. Mary J. Eilar died 14 August 1911 when my father was almost
4 years of age. His birthday was 19 August. The family always knew
about this gravesite, the remains were never re-interred, as was hoped
to do by her children, due to expense and attending other circumstances.
So this is a "Lone Gravesite," of Mary J.(ane) (RABER) EILAR, died
14 August 1911. Her husband was John M. Eilar, Sr., who is buried in
Evergreen Cemetery, Colville, WA.
