Continuing with my adventure of Metairie Cemetery, one of the
city’s largest and most historic cemeteries, I was quite fond of the J.V. Harrington tomb, which belongs to the notorious New Orleans gambler, Joseph V. "Neversmile" Harrington who passed in 1924. Apparently he had quite the poker face. This tomb includes a bronze woman grieving and placing roses at the entrance.
Apparently the judge handling the estate did not approve of the lavish tomb’s expense stating that it did not match the size of Harrington's estate. Of course, Harrington’s wife did not delay the construction. Considering she had been married to a gambler, she simply paid for the tomb in cash.
It's been fun researching the gravestones and mausoleums that I photographed for their beauty while strolling through the cemetery. I had no idea who these markers belonged to at the time.
Over the last few weeks, I've felt that my excursion simply wasn't enough. I needed more time to see the cemeteries in New Orleans. And, I was so hurried with the conference and other events that I didn't even have time to stroll about and go shopping. So I've decided that my voodoo curse/ cough aka allergies needs to clear up in the next 22 days. Why? Oh because I've decided that I need to return once again to The Big Easy.
there simply are not enough of those huuuuge tombs :-(
ReplyDeleteIt was a bit overwhelming looking here and there and just knowing I was missing something amazing.
Deletethe symbol on the tomb, looks like an X crossed with a P - what does that represent? I feel like I should know but alas my knowledge is lacking :(
ReplyDeleteThey're the first two Greek letters of Christ.
Deleteface palms self! Should have known that but as a committed agnostic, I guess it passed me by.
DeleteHa ha there are so many and we're not Victorian :p When in doubt, I assume a symbol depicts something religious.
DeleteMy favorite question when I give tours is "what's with that symbol that looks like a dollar sign ($)?" It's actually the letters I, H, and S superimposed over each other which represent Iota (Ι), Eta (Η) and Sigma (Σ), which are the first three letters of Jesus in Greek.
Enjoy your time in New Orleans (and the time now anticipating it)!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteHehehehe ... oh boy, oh boy, oh boy. 21 days!!!! Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy. Here's hoping another curse doesn't get you ... I'll keep my mouth shut this time.
ReplyDelete:p Let's hope that's enough time for the voodoo curse to finally be out of my system. I don't even use my voice at work and yet I still don't have one... No more than a weird raspy one that breaks into coughing.
DeleteI wonder if one ever gets enough time to see everything in a place like New Orleans? I can imagine, once having been there I will want to go back again and again! Do you happen to know who sculpted the grieving woman on the Harrington mausoleum? It's lovely.
DeleteStill no voice and still coughing? You poor thing. (you're the second person I know who's like this.) It's great that you're going back to New Orleans!
ReplyDelete