The Amazing Petrified Man – Andrew McCrew, Born 1867, Died 1913, Buried 1973. Traveled for 40 years after his death as a circus side show attraction. Then 10 years in a warehouse in Houston as part of a circus memorabilia collection, Then 10 years in the basement of the collector's sister in-laws house in Dallas before finally coming to rest at Lincoln Memorial Park. His headstone was crowd funded by Don McLean (He Wrote the song American Pie) Elie Pace, and WGN Chicago Radio.
Epitaph:
Well, what a way to live a life,
And what a way to die.
Left to live a living death
With no one left to cry
A petrified amazement.
A wonder beyond worth.
A man who found more life in death,
Then life gave him at birth.
Lincoln Memorial Park 8100 Fireside Dr.
All Images copyrighted by the artist, Brad Ford Smith 2023