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Saluting my Ancestors I Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

OleKim: Archiving this one simply because if I don't do it today, almighty GeoCrater will do it for me.

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Hidden : 6/11/2010
Difficulty:
2.5 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:

Ask any genealogist, and he or she will tell you that a cemetery is a tangible history of the community it represents. Such is the case of this cemetery, located one mile east of Gotebo, Oklahoma, on SH-9.

Gotebo was the white man's pronunciation of Kiowa Chief Kau-Tau-Bone, who isn't even buried in this cemetery. Gotebo was one of the first Native Americans in the area to accept Christianity.

The town itself is the consolidation of two pioneer townsites settled in 1901, Gotebo and Harrison (named in honor of Benjamin Harrison). These rival communities sought to squeeze out the other -- an impossible task considering that Harrison was the site of the area's only post office and Gotebo hosted the railroad depot. This stalemate lasted until 1904, when Gotebo incorporated, then annexed Harrison.

During that period, the town had to survive many serious challenges, including fires that destroyed businesses, and a May 1923 flood. Victims of the flood are buried in this cemetery, alongside dozens of pioneers who braved many hardships to settle the area that was to become Kiowa County.

Among those buried in the cemetery are my great-grandparents, Casper and Frances George, who settled in the area with their four sons a year before Gotebo came into existence and seven years before Oklahoma statehood.

Once a thriving community, Gotebo's population now numbers only around 300. Its school has been consolidated with neighboring Mountain View. Many old-timers say when the state highway that connects Mountain View with Hobart bypassed Gotebo's downtown area, that set the stage for a steady decline of the town, which was hastened by the advent of the Great Depression.

You are looking for a small cylinder-shaped cache large enough for a logbook and very small trade items. As you search, look at the tombstones of those buried here and remember their role in settling the 46th State.

Congratulations to piewoman911 on yet another FTF!

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Arne Zbgyrl naq Ubjr

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)