The Verde Flat Cemetery, at Vulture Mine, has some 236 known burials, with only two names that we have been able to document. One is Francisca Valencia, and we know where that grave is located.   The other person's ashes were scattered about the property.

The Verde Flat Cemetery is approximately 16 miles south of Wickenburg, AZ.

We have recreated a headstone for Valencia and will soon (Dec. 2006) place it on the grave. Neal Du Shane has confirmed this information with the relatives and they are agreeable to placing this marker.   The original marker was a vertical headstone while this one will be horizontal -- laid on the grave, to prevent cattle, deer and havalena from toppling it over.

Within the current enclosure of the cemetery there are approximately 100 white cross's which were put up by a scout troop -- but no names are on the crosses. Neal Du Shane dowsed the entire cemetery and estimates there are another 100 unidentified graves.

The "not-so-proper individuals, High Graders etc.," were buried where they were hanged, shot or died on the mine property. Plus, several individuals (free miners) and mules that died in a mine collapse, and were never exhumed from the mine. Which only goes to prove: don't pull down the support pillars no matter how much gold you think is in them.

This photo shows the new cement marker as placed on the grave, showing the remains of the old vertical marker.

The grave of Francisca Valencia. showing many of the other grave locations with their white crosses.

A view from the other side of the grave, also showing many white crosses.

Another shot, from the foot of Valencia's grave.

 

Information from Neal Du Shane

Written by Kermit Kittleson, 12/16/2006
Updated with four more photos, 12/24/2006