 |
| The Alvah H. Unthank Gravesite is on private property. |
This grave is a special one for Oregon Trail buffs because it is the only known instance of a surviving marked grave for an individual whose signature can also still be found on the trail. Alvah's signature can be found at Register Cliff in Guernsey, Wyoming.
The grave is located approximately five miles east southeast of Glenrock opposite the Dave Johnson Power Plant. To reach this grave, take the east Glenrock (Wyoming) exit from I-25 and then turn north on County Road 27. The grave is on the right, approximately 1/2 mile from the turnoff, near a small parking area along the road.
PLEASE NOTE!!! No public access is allowed to the Unthank grave, which is located on private property. The owner has experienced vandalism in the past and, therefore, he has chosen to deny access to the gravesite. This is his right and it must be respected.
Alongside the road, you will find a convenient turn-out from which to view the side of the grave marker. It is exceedingly tempting to climb over the fence to get a better view of the inscription. PLEASE RESIST IT!
****
 |
| Three generations of Unthanks signed Register Cliff near Guernsey, WY. |
Nineteen year old Alvah Unthank was one of a group of young men who left Newport, Wayne County, Indiana, for the goldfields of California in 1850. On June 23 the wagon train passed Register Cliff, south of Guernsey. There Alvah inscribed his name: "A. H. Unthank 1850."
In the early evening hours of June 28 the party made camp here by the North Platte River on account of the sudden sickness of Alvah. On June 29 a family friend, Pusey Graves, wrote, "Lay by today to doctor and nurse Alvah. June 30 Alvah getting worse it's quite hopeless complaining none. July 1 Alvah is rapidly sinking. July 2 in the early morning hours Alvah died." Cholera had taken its toll.
Graves wrote, "Alvah lay calm, bore his suffering patiently and uttered not a murmur or groan. Bid his father to be of good cheer. His child has paid the great debt of nature. Procured a large neat headstone. Solomon Woody carved the inscription." At noon Tuesday, July 2, 1850, the solemn task of burial took place.
« Return to People & Places main page
|
