Deepwood Cemetery

Deepwood Cemetery, established in 1869, is the final resting place of many Nevadans. This cemetery holds a G.A.R. plot for soldiers of the Civil War, many monuments to those who played important roles in Nevada’s history like William H. Hill--a former sheriff for Nevada, as well as famous politicians, and even popular ghost stories.

Deepwood Cemetery, a peaceful resting place for Nevada, Missouri’s dead, was established in 1869--four years after the Civil War ended. The land, originally part of a family farm, was sold for $300 to create the cemetery. A dozen men invested $50 in Deepwood’s stock, and J. E. Harding was unanimously elected the president of the board. Years later, in 1887, the men could no longer handle the issues that Deepwood brought, and decided to establish a board of trustees composed of 15 women to care for the cemetery. The women created rules for the cemetery like no “immoral or infamous” people could be buried there, and that owners of plots could mine those plots for natural resources (as long as it didn’t disturb the dead). The women were much appreciated, but they struggled to run the cemetery on the tiny budget that Deepwood had, and so the board decided to resign. 

The president of the cemetery tried to sell Deepwood to the city of Nevada in 1893, but was turned down. In 1896 however, ninety-six of the one hundred shares were sold to W. J. Wainscott. Wainscott became known as the “ruler” of Deepwood. He changed the name from Deep Wood to “Deepwood”, established rules regarding the opening and closing of the gates, unattended children, and horses and automobiles. He also solicited a $5,000 fund and secured new incorporation papers on April 6, 1921. Since its founding, Deepwood Cemetery has been the final resting place for many people of Nevada, and home to many interesting stories. 

In 1897, a man named Lon Dorsa was struck by lightning caused by his umbrella. His young wife: Neva, now a single mother, was devastated. Although he was buried first normally, Neva planned a unique resting place for her husband. She ordered a large stone slab, heavy enough that it was unable to be moved off the railroad car until it had already been carved down. Before Lon was reburied, Neva made one more adjustment, a glass pane was placed where Lon’s head would be, and a stone bible on a pivot was placed over the glass. With a key that Neva had, she would be able to move the bible and look at her husband whenever she wanted. This was kept a secret for a while, however, eventually people noticed her strange visits and became suspicious. In 1905, her story was published in several newspapers, including ones in Kansas City and St. Louis. After this scrutiny, Neva’s family had the bible cemented down. The story says that Neva Dorsa went insane, and died soon after, but evidence suggests Neva actually remarried and moved to California. The story doesn’t end there; in 1987, Lon’s grave was robbed, and his head was stolen. Police retrieved it, and it is now buried in an undisclosed location in the cemetery. 

Another incredible person who has been laid to rest in Deepwood Cemetery is Virginia Alice Cottey Stockard. Born in 1848, in Knox County, Missouri, Cottey primarily taught herself as she grew, and found inspiration in Mary Lyon’s life story. Like Lyon, Cottey wanted to establish her own school for girls. In 1883, she began the process of founding her school, and in 1884 Virgina Alice Cottey and her sisters, Mary and Dora, officially opened Vernon Seminary here in Nevada, Missouri. However, it quickly became known as Cottey College. In 1890, Virginia Alice Cottey married Samuel Stockard in Main Hall, with the stipulation that her school must always come first. In 1927, Cottey Stockard sold the college to the P.E.O. Sisterhood, who has taken care of it ever since. After a long and successful life, Virginia Alice Cottey Stockard passed away of old age in July of 1940. Her two sisters are laid to rest beside her. 

Many notable people are buried here in Deepwood. The politicians buried here are William J. Stone (1848-1918), Charles German Burton (1846-1926), William K. Bowker (1865-1931), John O. Morrison (1836-1908), and John O. Morrison (1893-1961). Within the cemetery, there is also a plot for confederate soldiers, who not only died in battle, but died years later and wished to be laid to rest here.

Brophy, Patrick. Where the Ancestors Sleep: A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Deepwood Cemetery. Nevada, MO: Vernon County Historical Society, 1997.

Sterrett, Betty. Scenes from the Past (Of Nevada, Missouri). Boulder, CO: DGL InfoWrite, 1985.

Kerbs, Nancy. Virginia Alice Cottey, Cottey College. Accessed May 6th 2021. https://cottey.edu/why-cottey/virginia-alice-cottey/.

Garner, Nicole. How One Widow's Grief Turned a Small Town Into a Roadside Attraction, Mental Floss. November 17th 2017. Accessed May 6th 2021. https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/70717/how-one-widows-grief-turned-small-town-roadside-attraction.