REUBENS CEMETERY

 By Byron Bovey

The Reubens Cemetery came about when the Woodmen of the World Reubens Camp #607 realized a need for a cemetery in the community and on October 10,  1911, purchased from John P. Vollmer and his wife, S. E., for the sum of $100.00,  "Beginning at a point on the West line of Clarke Street in the Town of Reubens, Lewis County, Idaho, where the same intersects the south line of the public road on the North Line of Section Two (2) Township thirty‑four (34) North of Range Two (2) West, Lewis County, Idaho, running thence west along the South line of said road two hundred feet, thence south two hundred feet, thence east  two hundred feet, to the west line of said Clarke Street, thence North along the west line of said Clarke Street two hundred feet to the place of beginning."

The Woodmen of the World Reubens Camp #607 had charge of the cemetery until January 16, 1934, when a quitclaim deed was given to the Reubens Rural  Cemetery Association for the sum of no/100 dollars.  The deed was signed by Samuel L. Dean, Charles O. Zilliox, and Herbert E. Curtiss who are listed as the remaining members of the Woodmen of the World, Camp #607.

It appears the Woodmen of Reubens had quite an organization going for several years.  They used to meet above the old Reubens store, and according to Mr. & Mrs. Charles Brackett, had quite a collection of regalia and dishes that were stored there for many years.  Some of this was removed before the store burned, but it is not known where it was taken.

Additional land has been purchased by the Reubens Cemetery Association over the years, which has provided room to expand as needed.  The cemetery has been set up to have perpetual care.

This cemetery is set up a little differently from the other cemeteries in western Lewis County.  There are 15 rows of lots from north to south.  Each lot contains 8 blocks from east to west.  Each block is 18 feet long and 12 feet wide.  There are 6-foot walkways between each block and there is a 12-foot road through the middle of the cemetery going north to south.  With proper spacing, each block will accommodate up to 6 graves.

For more information, please contact the Ilo-Vollmer Historical Society, Box 61, Craigmont, Idaho 83523 or Shelley Kuther, skuther@camasnet.com  208-790-7890 or Byron Bovey, bdbovey@wildblue.net  208-924-7336.

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