There are many places in the cemetery where there are no stones. Even though the town was not officially platted until 1880, families settled on the prairie long before the Civil War. We know this to be true because early settlers listed their birth place as "Saratoga" as early as 1844. "Marcus N. LaMance was born at Saratoga, McDonald county, Missouri, October 16, 1844." [Sturges History] Family historians agree the cemetery was used during the War, although the markers left do not indicate such. There are several rock markers in the older part of the cemetery.
According to the cemetery readings there appears to have been some illness that swept through the community in 1872, documented by the deaths of several young children.
We know that Charlie Crispin (the Crispin families helped to settle the Community) was the holder of the Cemetery records at one time during the early 1900s. Apparently, upon his death, these records were not transferred and they were reportedly destroyed. Records kept since that time are currently held by the SSCC and can be made available for viewing upon request, but all information has been provided on this site.
Chas. Shields was an active caretaker for the cemetery, along with his son, Vades Shields. During the early 1900s graves were dug by hand. Per Vades, men of the community would gather at the cemetery the day before the funeral services.
Norman Lipe, and wife, "officially" deeded the land to the Cemetery, according to County tax records. Prior to this, the cemetery legally changed hands as the property surrounding it was bought and sold.
