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Oscar S “Oswald” Gray

Birth	:	unknown
Death	:	6 Aug 1914 Marksville, Page County, Virginia, USA
Burial	:	Oscar Gray Gravesite, Marksville, Page County, USA
Description	:	CRUDE WOODEN STATUE FOUND IN BLUE RIDGE Erected By Father In Memory of Slain Son Decade Ago In Lonely Spot LURAY, Va., Dec. 17.—Government examiners of topography and physical conditions in the Blue Ridge of this county—the area to be used for the Shenandoah National Park—have discovered on top of Tanner's Ridge, a spur of the Blue Ridge in Marksville District, ten miles southeast of Luray, a crude wooden, monument a number of years ago carried to the summit of the mountain by the late R. O. Gray, a 78-year-old citizen, to mark the spot where his son, Oswald G. Gray, was murdered by "Bug" and "Tom"... Read More	CRUDE WOODEN STATUE FOUND IN BLUE RIDGE Erected By Father In Memory of Slain Son Decade Ago In Lonely Spot LURAY, Va., Dec. 17.—Government examiners of topography and physical conditions in the Blue Ridge of this county—the area to be used for the Shenandoah National Park—have discovered on top of Tanner's Ridge, a spur of the Blue Ridge in Marksville District, ten miles southeast of Luray, a crude wooden, monument a number of years ago carried to the summit of the mountain by the late R. O. Gray, a 78-year-old citizen, to mark the spot where his son, Oswald G. Gray, was murdered by "Bug" and "Tom" Alger. Soon after placing the marker at the spot the aged father died. On the night of August 8. 1914, young Gray, accompanied by several young women, was on his way home from preaching, the path traveled being across the top of Tanner's Ridge. The Alger brothers were also in the party. On top of the mountain a difficulty arose between "Tom" Alger and Gray. Simultaneously the Algers drew long-bladed knives, making an onslaught upon Gray, literally disemboweling him and cutting his body almost in two. Early the next morning the Algers were arrested by J Sheriff Sedwlck and were locked up in the Luray jail. They were tried before Judge Thomas W. Harrison, now a member of Congress from this district, who at that time was judge of the Page county court. They were given long terms in the Syate pententiary, where "Tom" Alger died. The term of his brother expired several years ago. The father of the murdered youth is said to have carried the marker the entire distance from his home to the top of Tanner's Ridge, resting at least fifty times in covering the five miles. The marker is a six-foot locust post, six inches square, and bears the folllowing epitaph inscribed by the untutored father: "To the memory of an honored son, Oswald Gary, who was murdered on this spot August 6, 1914 by "Tom" and "Bug" Alger, his former friends." Jealousy is said to have inspired the murder of young Gray. during a period of sleet on the ground in this country a few winters ago the elder Gray while ascending a steep mountain side, leading in the direction of the spot where his son was murdered, lost his foothold, descending to a small valley below on [illegible] high a rate of speed that [illegible] injuries that caused his death. Danville Bee, December 17, 1926 ============= DEATH OF R. O. GRAY Luray, Jan. 12 - R. O. Gray, one of the most prominent citizens of the Pine Grove section of this county, is dead at the age of 75 years. For a number of years he had been in feeble health due primarily to a fall he received five years ago. At that time there was a heavy sleet on the ground and Mr. Gray, losing his footing on a steep mountain side near his home, was carried a distance of several hundred yards down the mountain. In this accident he was badly injured. He is survived by his widow, four daughters and one son.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Oscar S “Oswald” Gray's memorial?
Oscar S “Oswald” Gray's memorial is located at: Oscar Gray Gravesite, Marksville, Page County, USA.
When did Oscar S “Oswald” Gray death?
Oscar S “Oswald” Gray death on 6 Aug 1914 in Marksville, Page County, Virginia, USA