The Robber's Grave

[GrahamS]

At the Pilgrim's Rest graveyard, every single grave was laid facing in the same direction, except for the traditional Robber’s Grave which is laid perpendicular to the rest, not facing the rising sun, and emblazoned simply with a cross and the large type words of "Robbers Grave".
The most detailed account attributes the grave to a fortune hunter, one Walter Scott, who committed suicide.  Scott shot his friend Roy Spencer, son of a well to do English banker, after they returned drunk from a party. Scott suspected Spencer of stealing his purse of gold. Scott pursued Spencer and shot him near the church, the site of the present grave yard, whereafter Spencer was secretly buried. The sobered up Scott found his purse in his tent, and committed suicide when he realised what he had done. Scott was then buried in an unmarked grave next to that of his friend, Spencer.

[minoly]

Good and interesting photos in these two posts on Pilgrims Rest. The story about the robber's grave is good, too. The Minnesota hamlet my family settled in, starting about the same time as Pilgrims Rest, was based on the railroad, timber, and wheat rather than gold; it declined with the clearing of the timber and the rise of motor vehicles; the site is now a plowed field. A few good stories are passed down but few people remain with a memory of the place and there are few photos. Your photos in these posts and others provide documentation as well as artistic value.

[PFMcFarland]

Such a sad story, Graham. Riches can make folks do serious harm to personal relationships.

PF