OK, Beulah Blakely's name intrigued me, so I had to find out more about this rose. It is not in HMF, unfortunately. Web search led me to High Country Roses. This is what they wrote about the rose, "This interesting rose was discovered growing on the grave of young Beulah Blakey, who passed away in 1890 at the age of 8. This loving tribute has survived the years on minimal care in tough environment. The Riverside Cemetery plant is about 2 feet tall, but I suspect it may grow a little larger in your yard. Clusters of deep pink blooms are accented by glossy rich green foliage."
Well, I needed to find out more. Further research revealed this, "By Carol Johnson, CGHS Member
On May 16th I attended the Fairmount Cemetery Heritage Rose Sale. To celebrate Fairmount's 125th Anniversary, the Fairmount Heritage Foundation, in partnership with High Country Roses, propagated new cuttings from several roses never previously available commercially. I purchased a Beulah Blakley, a mystery rose new this year from historic Riverside Cemetery. How interesting to find that such mystery roses are given the name of the person on the nearest tombstone.
Then, on a Memorial Day visit to Riverside Cemetery I found Beulah Blakley's tombstone in Block 20, Lot 212. It reads: "Beulah B. Blakley, Eldest child of A.A. and Ophelia Blakley, Born: June 24, 1881, Died: April 15, 1890." In front of the tombstone is her rose bush, which was propagated, one of which I bought, and which is now planted in my garden.
Now I want to know more about Beulah Blakley and her family. Find A Grave includes her obituary from the Rocky Mountain News on 16 April 1890: "BUELAH (sic) V. BLAKLEY – Died – in Denver, Apr 15, daughter of A. A. and Ophelia Blakley, aged 8 years and 10 months. Funeral from residence of P.W. Blakley, 3545 Blake Street, 2 o-clock today. Friends invited. Riverside Cemetery record, Blakeley, Berelah (sic) V., age 8, interred 4/16/1890" (Find A Grave Memorial #32766991).
In checking for other Blakleys buried at Riverside, I find one of Beulah's younger brothers is buried in the same block and lot: Harry E. Blakley was born on June 1, 1889, and died on June 4, 1890, only two months after Beulah. His tombstone's inscription reads: "Youngest child of A. A. & Ophelia L. Blakley" and "Our Baby Boy" (Find A Grave Memorial #99597319.).......
Now whenever I look at my Beulah Blakley rose in my backyard, I will recall a morning of what I call "Pajama Genealogy", when I sat at my computer and researched Beulah and her Blakley family in Denver."
Well Carol and I are of a similar ilk. I often do pajama genealogy as well. I wanted to know what Buelah and her brother may have died from. So I started to look up pandemics (suspecting flu) during the 1890's and yup, there was a flu pandemic that year. There was also a typhoid epidemic as well but pretty much confined to eating seafood in Chicago. Flu sounded more likely. I had six great aunts/uncles die from the flu pandemic in 1918, which is why is first thought of flu (get your shots!). Although it sounds like we won't know why Buelah and her brother passed, it could have been from the flu. I found this interesting (hope you did too) and am seeing where Buelah might fit in my already too tight yard for another rose. Too bad there is not room next to Vick's Caprice, my other only old rose. She is a right pretty little thing.
