COLUMBUS — The Live Oaks and Dead Folks Cemetery tour on Nov. 5 was eerily busy for a cemetery. Folks, not just ghosts, were visiting sites of interest to learn a little about the history and the movers and shakers of Columbus in the distant and their good and not-sogood pasts.
One resident, who was alive, heard voices from the past several times during the tour. Dianne Ilse-Jones heard about relatives August Ilse, 1869 to 1927, and Malzena Zumwalt, 1841 to 1941. In all, 13 past residents of Columbus were featured and their life stories were reenacted by very convincing characters.
The ghostly tour of the Odd Fellows Rest Cemetery in Columbus started before sundown. The cemetery was started in 1873 and is filled with remark able citizens of the Columbus area. The cemetery holds more than its fair share of tales to be told.
Besides August Ilse and Malzena Zumwalt, who were played by Brendt Leftwich and Donna Pustejovsky respectively, Lura Traylor was Susan Chandler, William Archer played by Sam Hodge.
Sarah Stafford was played by Ester Chandler and Louise Buescher was played by Carley Howlett.
Dr. Payne was portrayed by Gary Chandler, Howard Townsend was played by Mark Candela, Dr. William Gunn was played by Shalor Townzen, Berthed Leysaht was read by Ann Butler, Ida Zwiener was portrayed by Patsy Hodge.
Gus Steger Jr. was portayed by John Batla.
Charles Kearney was read by Will Kearney, a direct descendant.
This annual event benefits the Nesbitt Memorial Library and is known as the premier public history event in Colorado County.
