This photo shows a row of ornate white wrought-iron crosses marking graves at St. John’s Cemetery in McIntosh County, North Dakota. Each cross is decorated with a red flower at the center and set against a backdrop of green grass and tall trees, with a fence running behind them. The evenly spaced markers create a solemn and reverent memorial within the peaceful rural cemetery setting.

The first settlement of Germans from Russia arrived in South Dakota in 1872, and twelve years later, in 1884, the first settlement of Germans from Russia arrived in North Dakota just north of Zeeland. The St. John the Baptist Church was their first church, and was built in 1888, and soon after, the first cemetery--the St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery. There are 45 iron crosses in St. John’s cemetery. Some were handcrafted, while others were casted at iron foundries. The earliest iron cross marks a grave from 1889, and the latest from 1922. You will notice all the inscriptions are in German. The style of some of the handmade crosses are somewhat plain, while a few are more intricate. Many of the early iron crosses have the inscription: “Here rests in God.” And indeed, we are pleased with this peaceful setting where many have been laid to rest. While the 1918 flu epidemic took a toll on the people of Emmons County, the diphtheria epidemic from 1898 to 1899 had a devastating impact on families in southwester McIntosh County. The epidemic swept through the St. John’s area beginning at the end of 1897 to 1899, with the greatest loss of life was that of children. There were 99 deaths in St. John’s Parish. In fact, of the 61 families who lost someone during this time, over one third of them, 23 families, lost more than one family member. Four families lost three children, two families lost four children, one family lost five children, and the Feist family lost six children from the deadly epidemic.

Cast iron crosses mark the graves of the children of Michael and Louise (Elizabeth Scherrer) Feist. Magdalena was four years old when she died; Franz was 6, Michael was 7, twin sisters Barbara and Francisca were 9, and Johannes was 13. They all died during Lent of 1898 between March 7th and April 2nd. We remember their tragedy to honor their family, and all families impacted by tragic events, and we pray that they may rest in peace.