In September 1998, I did a complete survey of this cemetery, which has
a unique location on the crest of a hill, west of Spokane. With evergreen
trees for a background, one can face east and view very beautiful scenery,
which consists of the city of Spokane, and areas north and east on into
the state of Idaho. Below the hill the Spokane River winds it's way through
the valley. All of this can be seen as one is standing in the midst of
the cemetery. A most breathtaking experience from an excellent vista point.
Fairchild AFB does a superb job maintaining the cemetery.
After I completed reading and compiling the file I acquired the Sexton
files of Ft. Wright Cemetery from Fairchild Air Force Base which is
the keeper of the records. I have taken from these records, mostly in
the Information column. It tells where the individual was buried first
and at times where they died. Then at other times it will have a cause
of death along with the location in the cemetery. I hope you understand
my abbreviations. I used many when it seemed appropriate to save space.
On May 16, 2005 I revisited the cemetery and photographed each headstone.
For a small fee I am willing to share a photo with others. Transcribed
and compiled by Maggie Rail © 1999, 2005.
The following is inscribed on a large sign at the entrance to the cemetery
FORT GEORGE WRIGHT CEMETERY
"Fort Wright was approved by an act of Congress in 1895 and
officially opened in 1899. The original US Army post covered 1,000 acres
and was an active military base until 1958. Many of the original buildings
still exist and are included in the Fort Wright National Historic District.
The cemetery was authorized by the Secretary of War on Dec 13, 1899.
Remains of soldiers, officers and others were moved here from Fort
Spokane and Ft. Sherman, near Coeur d'Alene, in 1900. The cemetery is
occupied with the graves of veterans, their wives and other family members.
All branches of the service are represented here. There are appoximately
650 graves located here. Fairchild Air Force Base USAF is the caretaker
of the cemetery."
According to the Davenport Tribune, Jun 22, 1900, S.M. Smith Undertaking
of Spokane completed the contract on Thursday of re-interring 44 bodies
from Fort Spokane of which 43 were to Fort Wright Cemetery. There were
17 officers and soldiers the rest were civilians, men, women, and children.
One body was taken charge of by the husband of the deceased.
Earliest death date listed - 1891
Earliest birth date listed - 1832
Most recent burial listed - 2003
In comparing my readings with the Sexton files when the records did
differ, which was seldom, I put (SF) to indicate which was Sexton file.
Location in cemetery is listed in parenthesis. (section-number)
- Maggie Rail
Legend:
b. = born
c/d = cause of death
c/o = child of
d. = died
|
d/o = dau of
h/o = husband of
s/o = son of
w/o = wife of
|
Records Index:
New
Cemeteries
