Back on February 2, 2018 I posted:
"On a hunting forum I read in some parts of Alberta there are a few solitary graves that hunters run across in the middle of nowhere. One grave they specifically mentioned in the forum and had a photo of was for Cecil P. Heffernan. The dates on his headstone were 1902 - 1915. The exact location was not mentioned. The people on the forum wondered what happened to Cecil. I was curious as well."
A friend, David McKinstry, who lives near Oyen, Alberta did some research and found out what happened to him and where he is buried. His help was invaluable. On June 10, 2020 David and I visited the place in person. Cecil P Heffernan died in a hunting accident. He was out hunting and accidentally shot himself while crossing over a fence. He died before they could get him to a hospital and they buried him where the accident happened. The nearest hospital in those days would have been close to thirty miles away as the crow flies.
His grave is fenced off to protect it. It is on a spot of empty prairie with nothing around for miles. I found out that he has relatives in the area.
If you did not know the grave was there you would not be able to find it. Off the gravel road you have to walk about two hundred fifty metres along a fence line. You keep walking until you spot it.
"In Memory of Cecil P Heffernan 1902 - 1915
Rest In Peace"
There is empty space like this in every direction.
Tragically young.
ReplyDeleteThere is not much worse than losing a child... so sad.
ReplyDeleteThirteen years old. I can't imagine how his parents and his family must have felt.
ReplyDeleteI was taught that you don't go over a fence with a loaded weapon...
ReplyDeleteWho knows how it happened. He might have tripped.
DeleteTragic story but at least Cecil has a nice spot out in the open prairie.
ReplyDeleteThat he does. I just wanted to see it.
DeleteSad story but I suspect he's glad that they buried him under the open sky in an area where he loved to be.
ReplyDelete