The site: This cemetery was established in 1885 when Cora Zuel, daughter of Archie and Alice Zuel, died at age 4. It was the second cemetery established in Leon, based on burial records, and the last recorded burial here was in 1914. Known as "the cemetery above town" or "the cemetery north of town" to locals, some refer to this as "Brown Cemetery." Three members of the Brown family are buried here, but it is has never been referred to as Brown Cemetery in any known historical records.
The Standard Atlas of Butler County Kansas dated 1905 shows the location of the cemetery, outlined in green, which would have had at least 15 burials at the time the map was published.
The story: Archibald "Archie" Zuel (sometimes spelled Zuell) was born in Scotland sometime between 1838-1840 and was brought to New York at 6 months old. Archie was likely orphaned, as census records show he was living with another family in Illinois by the age of 12. Archie married Alice "Allie" Cross in 1871 and by 1880, Archie and Allie were settled and farming in Prospect Township with four children - Eddie (8), Lizzie (6), and Alice (3).
The Standard Atlas of Butler County Kansas dated 1885 shows the location of the Zuel farm, on the NE corner of SE Sunflower Rd and SE 50th St.
Very few 19th century families escaped the loss of at least one child, and the Zuel's were not an exception. Cora Alice Zuel was born September 7, 1880. It was reported in the Walnut Valley Times in the spring of 1885 that "Mr. Zuel's children are just recovering," but there are no reports of what the illness was. It's possible that the children suffered with smallpox, which was rampant in the area at the time. Despite the positive report in the paper on the children, young Cora died April 17, 1885.
Charles Tabing, one of the oldest settlers in Little Walnut township, donated land for Cora's burial. As one of the founders of Leon, he was among the wealthiest men in Butler county of that era. There is no indication that Tabing knew the Zuels - they owned land in a neighboring township, and another cemetery was much closer to their land. However, Cora is buried on land donated by Tabing, and she was the first to be buried there. Despite owning the land, no member of the Tabing family was ever buried here.
Cora's death was just one of many losses the family members would suffer. Less than a year later, both Archie and Allie would die within two days of one another, leaving three orphaned children behind. A little over six months after Cora died, it was reported that the entire family had been suffering with typhoid pneumonia for about two weeks. Allie's official cause of death was said to be hemorrhage of the lungs. The children were reported to have once again been very sick but survived. The three were left orphans, much like their father was when he was a young boy.
"A Desolate Home. Archibald Zuel of Prospect township, just across the road from Harrie Jones,' died last Friday of typhoid pneumonia. The funeral took place on Sunday morning at the cemetery above town. On Sunday evening, Mrs. Zuel died, and was lain beside her husband Tuesday evening. They leave a son about 13 years of age and two daughters about 9 and 11 respectivelly. The children have all been down with the same disease, but are now thought to be out of danger." February 11, 1886, The Leon Indicator
Cora's gravestone has greatly deteriorated, and the stones of her parents are difficult to find unless you know what you're looking for. The other Zuel children, all of whom lived full lives and had children of their own, are not buried here.
The cache: The cache is located very near the final resting place of Cora Zuel and her parents. You are looking for a small plastic container with camo tape, with room for some swag. The container is underneath a stone (NOT a gravestone) at the base of a tree. Should be easy to retrieve. Original contents include some Mini Brands, a Shopkin (these are NOT real food, for anyone unfamiliar), some charms, and an unused pill container. FTF is welcome to any swag desired. BYOP!