Hot Nights in Savannah (Hot Summer Series) by Sarah Jane Hartgrove Read Free Book Online

sky.  The entire exterior walls
appeared to be white Italian Marble.  There was stained glass in all windows,
gold trim on the windows and peaks, and a slate roof on the towers.  There were
people gathered at the enormous front doors for what she assumed was mass. 
    “This is one of the
oldest church establishments in Savannah.  It originated in the early 1700’s.” 
Brian explained as he looked at one of his favorite buildings in Downtown. 
    “So this building has
been here since then?”  Stephanie studied the details of the building.
    “No, this isn’t the
original building.  This church was relocated here from 4 blocks away.    The
first church here burned down in 1898 and was rebuilt several different times
to what you see now.”  Brian looked at Stephanie’s expression and smiled.  He
knew she liked Cathedral of St. John the Baptist as much as he did. 
    She wanted to go inside
but knew that the church was preparing for mass.  Brian led her down a few
blocks to their next destination. 
    Arriving at the corner
of Abercorn and Oglethorpe Streets, Stephanie looked at the biggest cemetery
she had ever seen.  The entire block seemed to be encompassed by wrought iron
fence that separated the ancient headstones from the passersbys on the streets. 
The entrance was a large concrete arch with an iron eagle on top. 
    “This is Colonial Park
Cemetery.  Many of Savannah’s first citizens are buried here.  Do you want to
walk around inside?” Brian wasn’t sure if she would agree to walking around in
a cemetery based on the look of her face.  She was a little wide eyed and she
was squeezing his hand she was holding a little tighter. 
    Stephanie looked at the
20 or so people, mostly tourists, walking along the paths and looked at her
watch trying to calculate when the sun would go down.  When she decided it was
safe, she agreed and let Brian lead the way. 
    “We will only go to
that monument in the center,” Brian said as he held her hand and walked slow. 
She didn’t seem as frightened once they were through the gates. 
    “I’m fine.  How old is
this cemetery?”  Stephanie asked as she looked at some of the dated on the
headstones. 
    “About 265 years.  It
was here before the Civil War.  It is rumored that soldiers from the Federal
Army came to this place to hide out during the war.  They would lift the top stones
off those above the ground graves and hide inside.”  Brian was pointing to a
row of large cement rectangular shaped graves that sat above the ground.    
    “Are there any Civil
War soldiers buried here?” Stephanie made her way to look a unique marker that
had the birth and death dates of a young man. 
    “No. By the time the
Civil War began, the city had closed this cemetery for future burials.”  Brian
noticed the headstone that Stephanie was looking at. 
    “He was young,” she
said, almost to herself.
    “By the inscriptions on
the stone, I would say he died in a duel.”  Brian crouched down to get a better
look. 
    “You mean like a gun
fight duel?”  Stephanie was surprised that she was looking at the result of
such ancient and barbaric behavior.   
    “Yes. Look here.  This
inscription on the tombstone says ‘he fell to his death in a duel from a man
who befriended him earlier in the year.’” Brian said as he was pointing at the
weather worn headstone. 
    “Wow, I can’t believe
that people actually did that.”  Stephanie had seen duels on TV growing up. 
Her father loved to watch western movies and it seemed that there was a duel in
every movie made.  This was her first evidence that they were a part of American
history. 
    “I’ve got one more
place to show you and then we can go eat.  Are you ready to leave here?”  Brian
was facing her and could tell from her expression that she was intrigued by the
information but was still a little nervous being here. 
    “Ok I’m getting a
little hungry.  What’s next on the tour?”