The infant son of James Hatcher and Octavia Smith. James was an extremely successful entrepreneur in Pikeville, Kentucky. He made his fortune in real estate, timber, and coal mining. His crowning glory in business was the Hotel James Hatcher, a modern for the times hotel featuring state of the art safety features.
In 1889, James married Octavia Smith in Pike County, Kentucky. Shortly after their marriage, they had their first child, Jacob. He succumbed shortly after birth. As expected, Octavia was extremely depressed over the death of baby Jacob and died on May 2, 1891. She was buried by her child and this would set off a discovery that would immerse the Hatchers, especially Octavia, into urban legend of Octavia being buried alive.
Whether this is true or just local lore, James had an impressive statue of Octavia erected over her grave. Urban legend claims Octavia was holding baby Jacob in her arms. Vandals or bad design were blamed of breaking off the baby's statue.
Research by findagrave contributor J. Rubio sheds more light on the statue:
The statue of the baby is on his grave and has always been there. It was never attached to Octavia's grave. In fact, the 1892 Daily Review in Decatur, Illinois (Sept 28) issue mentions the monument having come from there, being specifically designed in Octavia's likeness from a photograph of her. Her right hand (the hand that is now broken off) held a parasol and had an immense ring on it.
[Many thanks to J'aime Rubio for the above notation!]
In 1889, James married Octavia Smith in Pike County, Kentucky. Shortly after their marriage, they had their first child, Jacob. He succumbed shortly after birth. As expected, Octavia was extremely depressed over the death of baby Jacob and died on May 2, 1891. She was buried by her child and this would set off a discovery that would immerse the Hatchers, especially Octavia, into urban legend of Octavia being buried alive.
Whether this is true or just local lore, James had an impressive statue of Octavia erected over her grave. Urban legend claims Octavia was holding baby Jacob in her arms. Vandals or bad design were blamed of breaking off the baby's statue.
Research by findagrave contributor J. Rubio sheds more light on the statue:
The statue of the baby is on his grave and has always been there. It was never attached to Octavia's grave. In fact, the 1892 Daily Review in Decatur, Illinois (Sept 28) issue mentions the monument having come from there, being specifically designed in Octavia's likeness from a photograph of her. Her right hand (the hand that is now broken off) held a parasol and had an immense ring on it.
[Many thanks to J'aime Rubio for the above notation!]
The infant son of James Hatcher and Octavia Smith. James was an extremely successful entrepreneur in Pikeville, Kentucky. He made his fortune in real estate, timber, and coal mining. His crowning glory in business was the Hotel James Hatcher, a modern for the times hotel featuring state of the art safety features.
In 1889, James married Octavia Smith in Pike County, Kentucky. Shortly after their marriage, they had their first child, Jacob. He succumbed shortly after birth. As expected, Octavia was extremely depressed over the death of baby Jacob and died on May 2, 1891. She was buried by her child and this would set off a discovery that would immerse the Hatchers, especially Octavia, into urban legend of Octavia being buried alive.
Whether this is true or just local lore, James had an impressive statue of Octavia erected over her grave. Urban legend claims Octavia was holding baby Jacob in her arms. Vandals or bad design were blamed of breaking off the baby's statue.
Research by findagrave contributor J. Rubio sheds more light on the statue:
The statue of the baby is on his grave and has always been there. It was never attached to Octavia's grave. In fact, the 1892 Daily Review in Decatur, Illinois (Sept 28) issue mentions the monument having come from there, being specifically designed in Octavia's likeness from a photograph of her. Her right hand (the hand that is now broken off) held a parasol and had an immense ring on it.
[Many thanks to J'aime Rubio for the above notation!]
In 1889, James married Octavia Smith in Pike County, Kentucky. Shortly after their marriage, they had their first child, Jacob. He succumbed shortly after birth. As expected, Octavia was extremely depressed over the death of baby Jacob and died on May 2, 1891. She was buried by her child and this would set off a discovery that would immerse the Hatchers, especially Octavia, into urban legend of Octavia being buried alive.
Whether this is true or just local lore, James had an impressive statue of Octavia erected over her grave. Urban legend claims Octavia was holding baby Jacob in her arms. Vandals or bad design were blamed of breaking off the baby's statue.
Research by findagrave contributor J. Rubio sheds more light on the statue:
The statue of the baby is on his grave and has always been there. It was never attached to Octavia's grave. In fact, the 1892 Daily Review in Decatur, Illinois (Sept 28) issue mentions the monument having come from there, being specifically designed in Octavia's likeness from a photograph of her. Her right hand (the hand that is now broken off) held a parasol and had an immense ring on it.
[Many thanks to J'aime Rubio for the above notation!]
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