Fort Hays Military Cemetery
Often times soldiers who died while fighting were buried where they fell. Most who died at or near the post were buried at the fort's military cemetery, approximately one mile northwest of here. Nearly 25 of the 175 buried here were civilians. The first burial was a victim of cholera in 1867. That summer's epidemic claimed 23 military victims in approximately one month's time. The last burial at the post cemetery took place in 1889 after the death of the five-year-old son of an 18th U.S. Infantry soldier.
When the fort was abandoned in 1889 the army decided to relocate the military graves to Fort Leavenworth so they could be properly tended. The residents of Hays City delayed the move, afraid that disturbing the remains might trigger another cholera epidemic. The graves were finally relocated in 1905.
Courtesy hmdb.org
