THE DEVIL'S CHAIR
In the old Mary Immaculate Cemetery on the east side of town, the tombstones of Kirksville residents date back to the early 19th century.* Amidst the ancient markers, and at the head of a grave, sits an old stone chair serving as a tombstone. Moss is growing up the sides of the chair and covering its stone cushion. There is no date of birth or death on the owner's tombstone and a single name is carved into its back - BAIRD.
Long-time Kirksville residents know of the legend behind the odd tombstone, but rarely talk about it. Allison Early, a Truman State University student and Kirksville resident, remembers hearing about the tale in junior high school.
"One of my friends lived close to the cemetery," Early said. "He had a party one night and we decided to go see the 'Devil's Chair.' We all took our turn sitting in it and?"
Rumor has it that if you sit in the chair one time, you will have bad luck. And if you sit in it again, beware for a curse will be cast upon you. But, if you sit in the "Devil's Chair" a third and final time, the hand of death will come and GET YOU!
editor's notes:
Disappointingly, perhaps, there's really very little mystery about
the chair. John C. Baird was a marble cutter and an officer of the Baird
and Grassle marble dealership; he was also the founding superintendent
of the Highland Park Cemetery Association (in which property his grave
is situated). Baird and his wife, Eva J., lived at 214 N. High in 1892,
and at 516 N. Franklin in 1908. The Kirksville Weekly Graphic noted on
March 6, 1891:
"There is now on exhibition at Baird and Grassle's a mosaic chair that attracts general attention. It is the latest product of Mr. Grassle's chisel, and to see it will repay you for a visit to their marble works. The model for this exquisite piece of workmanship was found in some ancient ruins in Italy and most faithfully Mr. Grassle has copied it."
Mr. Grassle of course added the comfy Victorian cushion with its buttons, as well as the conventional 19th-century icon -- the discarded garment which represents our earthly flesh, and the fleshly earth.
The dates for Mr. and Mrs. Baird are not known, but apparently they took advantage for their monument of a fine piece of sculpture that was simply lying around the shop. He must have lived until at least 1914, when he was listed among the elders of the Presbyterian Church (note: the Mary Immaculate and Highland Park cemeteries have not always been entirely separate).
The stone is involved in numerous legends of a type widely replicated across the U.S., especially in rural and small-town communties, and beloved of young people. It is often visited during latenight "legend tripping" expeditions. Some versions say that something dreadful will happen to the person so bold as to be seated in it at midnight (or on a particular evening, such as Hallowe'en) -- a hand will emerge from the grave and drag the impious one down to the underworld, for example. Other versions suggest the intrepid one will be rewarded.
*the oldest burial has not yet been determined, but this statement
is probably an exaggeration. -ed