“I Wonder, What Would Harriet Say?”

 To that question, Carole E. Shelton, professional storyteller,  replied on Saturday, May 22, 2010.  On a gorgeous Saturday morning, when the sun graced St. Louis after a week of rain and storms, the culmination of a period of time from Feb 2006 until now had finally arrived.  The community efforts to clean up Greenwood (an ongoing project) and the community recognition of Harriet’s and other’s burial site was celebrated when almost 100 people gathered to express gratitude for the work done at the cemetery and to remember Harriet and Dred Scott for their fortuitous fight for freedom for eleven years between 1846 - 1858.  It ended in the famous Dred Scott Decision. 

As Ms. Shelton portrayed Harriet Scott at the dedication of the Harriet Scott Memorial Pavilion at Greenwood Cemetery, this is what “Harriet” had to say:

 I done heard tell there is all dis here fuss being made over things me and Dred went through during those long years of legal trials for our freedom.  Those things that happen to our family, well I say that was just Gods will.   We knowed, some how, some way “He” would make a way.  Through all the strife and bitterness there was always good people there helping us to shoulder the burden we bore.  And every time we stumbled, every time there was a set back, somebody would bend down and lift us up.  And we go marching on.   How can we ever thank them for their strength, caring, and courage during those times, words seems so little.  Oh, so much time has passed, so much time and things have changed so much.  As I look about I wonder about me and Dred’s kinfolks.   I know yaw are out there some where.  I feel it in my bones.  Our struggles was for their future with the hope that their lives would be easier and their children’s children would reap the fruits of our trials and labors.

Now that everyone knows my earthly tabernacle lies here in Greenwood Cemetery, well, uhg  that’s something. I guess I am rather glad to be remembered it brings a smile to my heart.  Lying next to me is one of my grandchildren, just a baby safe in my arms and there is a baby lying next to Dred wrapped in his arms.  We lost so many babies back then.  Them was hard days, bitter sweet times, but they was worth it for our daughters and so many others that followed.  I lived through the war of the states that Civil war, that tore this country apart.  But glory be, I saw the end of that ole misery slavery, praise be the Lord.  I worked these old bones of mine to take care of my family as best I could.   And when I was too old and worn out they took care of me.   I held on to my faith and my belief that these times would get better for our people. 

My heart is full and my cup runnith over; this headstone and this memorial… what words can I say here.   They is mighty fine, it does me proud and I’m so pleased to see people remembering, remembering plain folks like me and Dred and what we went through to get our freedom we so cherished and wanted.   I only wish that Dred had lived longer to enjoy our freedom but that how life is.   I know even thou he passed on that he has always been standing right next to me; he never left my side in spirit. Dred’s presence has always been strong in our hearts, and his name silently forever on my lips.  He has always been with me as I have been with him.  I always looked to the future with hope that our struggles would come full circle and so they have, so they have.

Thank you, thank you for remembering, and thank you for you courage to keep moving forward in this world of ours.  And lest we not forget so many others, so many who passed this way in days gone by and to those who come after, our future looms bright and strong.

Thank you for remembering

Major Donors of The Pavilion as donated in order of contribution

 

Friends of Greenwood Cemetery	Discovering and naming Harriet’s Hill
Mr. Arno Sandoval, KAI Design & Build	Design and Drawings
Mr. James Schiele	Lumber for Structure
Mike Woodling, Gateway Contractors	Layout of site; donation of concrete; pouring of concrete
Tony Caputa & St. Louis Carpenter’s Union	Building of Pavilion
Alberici Corporation	Donation of transportation of pavilion to site; Hitching posts
The Dred Scott Heritage Foundation	Bracing, Bolts and Secure Hardware