Looking for Mr. Charles H. Pratt

Beneath the grounds of Evergreen Cemetery  80,000  stories are waiting to be told. Many of those secrets are easily discovered.  Others take a little bit more digging and may prove more elusive than we planned.
While researching burials during the 1930's, I discovered  Charles H. Pratt who died in 1930. He is buried with his son, Eugene Pratt who died in 1939. Eugene Pratt served during WWI and has a Veterans stone.

His father, who rests behind him also served in the military, but unfortunately is
unmarked.

Charles H. Pratt enlisted on March 12, 1875 and was discharged on April 6th, 1881. He served in the 10th US Cavalry. What makes Mr.  Pratt so unique and so special is he was a Buffalo Soldier. Sharing the history of the Buffalo Soldiers has been an  integral part of Evergreen Cemetery Benevolent Society events for many years. Each Memorial Day the local 10th US Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers pay tribute to George H. Mason, who served during the Spanish American War.

To obtain a headstone for Mr. Pratt, proof of his service must be documented. The NARA (National Archives Records Administration)  requests detailed documentation.  Colorado Veterans Grave Registration was submitted, however, it is not considered the necessary information needed to prove his military service. After speaking with numerous sources both in Colorado as well as in Washington DC, and running into brick walls, we are sharing this story , in hopes, a descendant of Mr. Pratt, will be able to provide the necessary information we need to be able to place a VA marker on his grave.

Following is the Pratt Family information.
Charles H. Pratt   DOB  1858 Maryland. He is listed as a Mulatto- he worked as a barber in a local hotel

Bettie Pratt (wife) was born in Missouri in 1865-she is listed as a dressmaker. Her parents were both born in Virginia.

Eugene Pratt was born in 1886 in Colorado (son)
Sarah Pratt Spouse
Eugene Pratt-Son born in 1918

Myrel Pratt was born in 1898 in Nebraska
Myrel Pratt Scott (married) was buried in 1931

Mr. Pratt and his family lived in Colorado Springs for many years.

It was our plan for this Memorial Day to honor Mr. Charles H. Pratt with an unveiling of his Veteran's Marker. He has lied unmarked for 86 years.

Please help us locate Mr. Pratt's family by sharing this story.
Please contact us via email at
evergreencemeterysociety@yahoo.com

Death Records for 1879

Stopping to Smell The Roses

 I  love nothing more than taking  time to stroll through the cemetery.  Taking the time to stroll through the blocks themselves will allow you to discover little known treasures  you may not have noticed simply driving through or staying on the main roads.

However this treasure was not hidden at all.

The Dough Boy statue in Evergreen Cemetery is situated  along the main road and located in front of the historic chapel. Needless to say is it very noticeable.

 At the foot of the statue is a vase with what are now dried flowers, since they have been sitting there since December.




Visitors to the cemetery oftentimes place flowers and such on graves whether they are family or not. I didn't pay much attention to this as I figured it was someone  placing the flowers for no particular reason.

As I was walking past, I stopped, turned back around and decided to just see what this vase was about.



There was a note attached.

So next time you are at the cemetery, allow yourself to wander and take time to find those little hidden treasures.

Evergreen Cemetery Clean Up-November 1-November 15th 2015

Cemeteries to Clean Up November 1 - 15

Colorado Springs’ two City-operated cemeteries will conduct their tri-annual clean-up November 1 – 15.

Prior to this two-week period families and friends are encouraged to remove from gravesites and headstones any items they wish to save. The November clean-up is the time when Halloween decorations and other holiday items are removed from the cemetery, along with tarnished, unsightly, sun-bleached or damaged containers or flowers.

Typically, the cemeteries allow artificial flowers in vases or attached to stones to remain, but occasionally they are removed inadvertently, according to Jody Sanchez -Skamarak, Interim sexton.  Artificial flowers must be in urns attached to the monument or plastic vases.  The cemetery will not allow any glass and pottery.  Their placement must not hinder mowing or other cemetery maintenance.

Although some regular visitors to the cemeteries dislike the clean-up, it is the management’s responsibility to keep the grounds free of clutter and prohibited items.  The sexton advises visitors to remove any items of value prior to the clean-up.

As stated in published cemetery regulations, prohibited items include baskets, boxes, shells, toys, crockery, glassware, cans and potted plants.  Hanging objects including pots, artificial flowers and wreaths are also prohibited.

For more information, call Evergreen Cemetery, 1005 Hancock Expressway, at

385-6251 or Fairview Cemetery, 1000 26^th St., at 385-6251.

Don't Miss Out!! Special Events For the Month of August

Evergreen Cemetery Benevolent Society  

Summer 2015 Calendar of Events

HISTORIC SPEAK SERIES
LAST TWO EVENTS-PAYABLE AT THE DOOR


AUGUST 23
TEDDY ROOSEVELT $10

SPECIAL NIGHT TIME TOURS:BY RESERVATION ONLY!



AUGUST 18TH AFTER HOURS PHOTO SHOOT
7:30-???

$35
MEET OUTSIDE OF FRONT GATE NO LATER THAN 7:30! 


EvergreenCemeterySociety@yahoo.com


Click the BUY NOW link to purchase your tickets for the after hours photo shoot on
 August 18th!

A Visit With Nikola Tesla

Join us this Sunday June 14, 2:00pm at Evergreen Cemetery Chapel where you will have an opportunity to visit with Nikola Tesla.

Mad scientist, forward thinking genius, and so many more words could describe Nikola Tesla. Much of what the world knows and thinks about electricity is due to Tesla. His fans are legion, many making the trip to Colorado Springs to walk where he walked, see the mountain that played a role in his work. Although he died in obscurity and poverty, Tesla is now known and revered by so many. Perhaps the Tesla Coil is one of his best known 'inventions' showing up in films and television. A pioneer well worth knowing and remembering.

Think You Know History Series in conjunction with Evergreen Cemetery Benevolent Society.

Evergreen Cemetery Chapel

1005 Hancock Expressway

Colorado Springs, CO 80903

$10 per person.

Proceeds benefit restoration projects at Evergreen Cemetery.

Memorial Day Commemoration 2015!

MEMORIAL DAY COMMEMORATION

MAY  25, 2015

10:30am to 1:30pm approx

EVERGREEN CEMETERY

1005 HANCOCK EXPRESSWAY

COLORADO  SPRINGS, CO 80903

 

Join us on Monday May 25^th Memorial Day for the Annual Evergreen Cemetery Memorial Day Commemoration hosted by the Evergreen Cemetery Benevolent  Society.

The 10^th US Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers  will lead the procession from the Evergreen Chapel beginning at approximately 11:00am  to the Spanish American War site to honor George M. Mason, Buffalo Soldier who fought in the Spanish American War. The presentation will last until approximately 12:30.

1:00pm butterfly release at Evergreen Chapel.

Join us in celebrating 140 years of history

Light Refreshments will be served

For more information please call 385-6254