The corner of stone was barely sticking out of the ground and I'd already dug up a few other relatively intact stones. Carefully digging and moving the dirt away, exposing first a few words, then more. There was so much dirt embedded in the carved image in the oval near the top that it took lots of water and brushing to get it all off.
Bit by bit the beautiful flags came to light, then the cannon, and the cannon balls at the base. I've never seen this image before. Symbols of war.
The stone says: William Keys, son of L. & C. Keys born near Tahlequah Cherokee Nation Jan. 17, 1843 and died at Flat Rock Creek February 6, 1875.
Keys Cemetery (also listed as McDennil and Cherokee Cemeteries on Find-A-Grave) in Wagoner County is at the south edge of Highway 16 west of Okay in Wagoner County.
They must protect these places as well. It is part of our history.
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Sticking out from under the flag on the left is something. Got any idea what that something is?
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