Gold Rush Cemetery at Skagway, Alaska

Henry Clay Parker
Born Apr. 17, 1848
Died Mar. 28, 1900
The sign at the entrance to the cemetery says:

    While attending a Chamber of Commerce meeting, Henry Clay Parker collapsed from a heart attack. Heart failure was often listed as the cause of death in early Skagway. It may be presumed that many of these people died of other causes. Medical personnel were overworked, and often without sufficient experience to diagnose more complicated ailments.
    Mr. Parker's funeral was one of the most unique ceremonies in Skagway's history. As the first member of Camp #1 Arctic Brotherhood to die in Skagway, Parker's funeral was conducted by the Brotherhood. A special train took the funeral party and guests from the Arctic Brotherhood Hall to the end of town. From there wagons carried the group to the cemetery.