Mystery partially solved, as identity of monument’s mystery woman revealed

As reported in the June 6 edition of The Salem News, the weight of historical evidence indicates the monument was built by Edwin N. Pendergrass to house his departed wife. Local legend says Pendergrass’ wife was young and beautiful, and she was interred into the vault as her husband couldn’t stand the thought of her being buried underground. Her identity, however, could not be confirmed through the available public sources.

The family tree in Reeves’ possession was created by the late Ken Fiebelman, a noted local Dent County historian and genealogist, meaning he’s solved yet another question about local history, this time from beyond the grave.

Reeves’ husband, John, is a relative to Fiebelman.

The family tree further reports that Edwin and Mary had two children, George Wesley Pendergrass and Lena May (Pendergrass) Temple. Both children were born in 1876. Lena May died in 1934, and George died later in 1956. The family tree doesn’t say whether either had any children of their own. 

According to the family tree, Edwin N. Pendergrass did remarry after the death of his first wife. His widow, Mary Kay (Goodier) Pendergrass lived until 1945. She was 84 years old at the time of her death.

Another insight to be concluded from the new finding is that the Woodmen of the World likely didn’t erect the monument itself, just the headstone for Edwin N. Pendergrass. He died in 1907. The Woodmen of the World was not created until 1883, meaning the monument predates the organization – assuming it was built at the time of Mary Elizabeth’s death.

Still a mystery is what the contents of the monument are, if any. Evidence indicates Mary Elizabeth and Edwin Pendergrass were removed from the vault and reburied after their interment. According to officials overseeing Cedar Grove, no person alive today has seen the interior of the monument.