Romanian Gypsy crown prince dies in Prague

PRAGUE, Czech Republic, Aug. 3 (UPI) -- A 17-year-old son of the Romanian Gypsy king died of a brain seizure Monday in a Prague hospital, Czech authorities said.

The young crown prince and a would-be successor to the Romanian Gypsy throne suffered serious internal injuries when he nearly drowned while swimming in a Czech lake outside Prague 13 days ago, Jana Jelinkova, spokeswoman for the hospital said, the Czech news agency CTK reported.

The patient's condition has been critical ever since he was hospitalized July 22.

On word of the death, about 50 Romanian Gypsies gathered outside the Prague-Vinohrady hospital, CTK said.

More than 150 Gypsies had arrived from Romania to be close to the youth, staying in makeshift camps on private or municipal land outside Prague, the report said.

Hundreds expected for gypsy king funeral

Published Date: 17 March 2009

Many hundreds of relatives and friends were today attending one of Wigan's biggest gypsy funerals.

'King of the travellers' John Doran, 69, who latterly lived in a distinctive cottage off Scot Lane, lost a brave battle against liver and stomach cancer.

The father of six surviving children, as well as eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, was also a popular member of the settled community with his own chair at his local, the Bowling Green at Newtown.

Many will be swelling the ranks for the Requiem Mass at St Edward's RC Church at noon today.

An exporter who made a living salvaging lorry engines and transmissions for sale abroad, Mr Doran ordered the funeral be a celebration of his great love of life and family.

As a result, there will be no traditional black on show.

He will be taken to church in a white carriage pulled by seven magnificent white horses, while the mourners, including his widow Violet, will be carried in seven silver-coloured limousines.

Originally from Roscommon in the Irish Republic, Mr Doran was the son of legendary 'Champion Piper of Ireland' Felix Doran. And some of his music is due to be played by brother-in-law John Rooney during the proceedings.

Mr Doran was also a much respected greyhound man, whose dogs won races organised by travellers all over the country.

There are potentially so many mourners coming from Ireland and Scotland for the funeral that residents have been asked by police to park their cars as close to the kerb as possible along the route in an attempt to keep it as clear as possible.

He will be buried in St Helens Cemetery, near to his late baby daughter's grave.

The full article contains 292 words and appears in Wigan Evening Post newspaper.

Woodland Cemetery

Propeller
Nick Iannarino - Propeller Editor
February 20, 2009

Beyond the Romanesque chapel and wrought-iron gateway which rest at the end of Woodland Avenue like a deserted fortress breathes a hidden trove of history, nature, art and architecture.

Founded in 1841, Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum is 200 acres of green hills, glacial boulders and floral oasis which would easily remind visitors of the eternal beauty of life if, well, they weren't surrounded by dead people. Over 105,000 to be exact.

Before rushing to prepare UD for a massive zombie invasion, take a second to consider the educational value and serenity a place like this can provide. Many of the people buried at Woodland helped shape a young nation and a developing community.

Some were inventors and entrepreneurs like James Ritty, owner of the Pony House Saloon & Restaurant and creator of the first "incorruptible cash register." Others were combat veterans and government officials like Major David Zeigler, who fought in the Revolutionary and early Indian wars and served as the first mayor of Cincinnati. Still more created modern name brands like Huffy Bikes (George Huffman) and Mead Paper Company (Daniel Mead). Even a handful, like Daniel C. Cooper, actually founded this fair city.

Among the cemetery's 3,000 woody plants are 165 types of trees, some of which are over 200 years old. Nine of the largest trees of their species in Ohio reside here as well.

"This place is so special because of the historical value it provides

to the Dayton community," Woodland Customer Service Manager Debra Mescher said. "It would be tough to find a more beautiful, peaceful area of the city."

The next time a funeral procession passes by, perhaps led by a horse-drawn hearse or hundreds of members of the Dayton Outlaws motorcycle gang, know that a new chapter's being added to the legend of a silent community.
Top 5 Graves of Fame

1. The Little Boy & Dog Johnny Morehouse (1855-1860)

One of the more sentimental monuments at Woodland is dedicated to the memory of a cobbler's 5-year-old son who drowned in a canal. It's rumored that the boy's dog also perished while trying to rescue him. The detailed sculpture portrays a sleeping child being protected by his canine friend. Also visible are little Johnny's toy top, ball, mouth harp and cap. Current visitors still decorate the monument with plastic toys fit for a little boy - racecars and action figures of The Incredible Hulk, Mr. Incredible and SpongeBob Squarepants. For almost 150 years, this heartfelt monument has symbolized the brief life of Johnny Morehouse, provided comfort to grieving parents and served as a cautionary tale to children.

2. The Boulder Erma Bombeck (1927-1996)

It might be difficult for first-time visitors to locate the UD alum and famed humorist's final resting place. Situated across from the Mausoleum and behind a sculpture of the Wright Brothers' workbench, Bombeck's lot has no traditional headstone markings. Instead, a distinctly foreign 29,000 pound rock was chosen as a unique monument for her grave. Bombeck's renowned books and nationally-syndicated newspaper column often analyzed suburban life with a comedic bent. Her family is still active in the UD community.

3. The Gypsy Queen Queen Matilda Stanley (1878)

One of the coolest aspects of Woodland's extensive history was its importance to local Gypsy clans. Gypsies were a group of nomads whose ancestors are said to have originated in Eastern Europe. Guided by King Owen Stanley and his wife, Queen Harriet, many large Gypsy camps, most of English ancestry, prospered as agriculturalists in the Dayton community during the mid- to late-1800s and early-1900s. Because Owen and Harriet were eventually buried in Woodland, common practice suggested that the Gypsies always bring their deceased to Dayton for burial, no matter where their deaths occurred.

When a later queen, Matilda, was mourned in 1878, an international audience of 25,000 converged upon Woodland. Allegedly, 1,000 additional carriages were turned away at the gate. So many people gathered around the gravesite that the minister had to deliver his sermon while standing on a wooden plank resting across the open grave.

Woodland houses a total of three Gypsy kings and two queens. As a result, the cemetery is one of the few places in the U.S. proclaimed by Gypsy tribes to be hallowed ground.

4. The Weeping Willow Paul Lawrence Dunbar (1872-1906)

The son of former slaves, Dunbar overcame poverty and racial barriers to become one of the first and most beloved black poets in American history. Growing up in Dayton, Dunbar was the only black student in his graduating class at Central High School. His measured use of Southern Negro dialect to convey everyday life in verse is still studied and deeply appreciated. Taking a cue from Dunbar's famous poem "The Death Song," his grave - marked with a granite boulder and bronze plaque cast by Tiffany Studios in New York - is flanked by a weeping willow tree.

The opening stanzas are etched onto the plaque:

Lay me down beneaf de willers in de grass,

Whah de branch'll go a-singin' as it pass

An' w'en I's a-layin' low,

I kin heah it as it go

Singin' "Sleep, my honey, tek yo' res' at las."

5. The First In Flight Wilbur and Orville Wright (1867-1912, 1871-1948)

The Wright family gravesite is marked by a modest platform which rests beneath three flags representing America, Ohio and the 100-year anniversary of the birth of aviation. A thin stone path borders a rectangular dirt plot sprinkled with small plants and headstones. Wilbur and Orville's mother, father and younger sister Katherine are buried along with them.

Other note-worthy graves

The Seated Man, Adam Schantz Jr. (1868-1921)

Real estate developer and community leader. The famous sculpture also represents his father (1839-1903), a brewer and for many years the largest holder of real estate in the city - most of it downtown and in Oakwood. Also developed land in Daytona, Fla.

The McMillan Angel, Asa McMillan (1797-1855)

Famously beautiful Italian marble angel standing before a large granite cross. The book is blank to signify a new beginning in death.

The Ultimate Obelisk, John Alexander Collins

Woodland is littered with obelisks - tall, tapered, four-sided shafts of stone whose pyramid tops point toward Heaven. shape was used in ancient Egypt and during the 19th century to mark the grave of a hero or important person. Collins was an engineer who built the Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton Railroad, which eventually became part of the famed Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. The granite figure is the tallest monument in Woodland at 46 feet.

The Patterson Family Arch

Granite monument dedicated to the Patterson family, whose names are etched along the inside. John H. Patterson (1844-1922), the grandson of a Revolutionary War veteran, founded National Cash Register (NCR) in 1884. During the devastating floods of 1913, Patterson's company served as the focal point for rescue teams and built boats for victims.

James M. Cox (1870-1957)

Founded Dayton Daily News, along with other newspapers and television and radio stations. Served three terms as governor of Ohio. With Franklin Dd. Roosevelt as his running mate, he campaigned against Warren Harding for U.S. President in 1920, but lost in a landslide. His concession speech took place at Dayton Fairgrounds.

Charles F. Kettering (1876-1958)

Famous inventor of the electric automobile self-starter and ignition system, which replaced unsafe and inconvenient manual cranks. Kettering also developed other inventions and improvements for General Motors, founded Dayton Engineering Laboratories (DELCO) with friend and fellow Woodland resident Edward Deeds (1874-1960) and was a noted philanthropist. His remains are located in the Mausoleum.

Dr. Joseph E. Lowes (1848-1905)

Former Surgeon General of Ohio and founder of Dayton Electric Light Company. Built and owned many traction and trolley lines throughout the state of and Dayton.

Harry C. Kiefaber (1852-1928)

Vice President of Dayton's Savings Bank and Director of Dayton Power & Light Company. Along with his brother, William, opened a popular grocery store on Third Street.

Robert W. Steele (1819-1891)

Lawyer and educator who inspired name of Steele High School. Large lion sculpture which currently guards entrance of Dayton Art Institute originally stood in front of school until razed in 1955.

Over 600 Civil War and 18 Revolutionary War veterans

Woodland features an entire section devoted to Union and Confederate soldiers. The Civil War deeply divided the Dayton community. Many poor laborers and farmers actually switched sides along the way for extra enlistment bonuses and better pay.

Athletes

At least one Harlem Globetrotter ("Slick" Al Tucker Sr.), NBA professional ("Twiggy" Tucker Jr.), legendary UD basketball coach (Tom Blackburn) and an early pioneer of auto racing (Earl "The Little Dayton Demon" Kiser).

Roma crown new gypsy king

27/12/2007 22:45 - (SA)

Bucharest - Hundreds of Roma paid their last respects to the self-proclaimed international king of the gypsies on Thursday in southern Romania, then crowned his son as successor.

Amid chants of "Long live the king", Dan Stanescu placed the golden crown atop his own head after one of his subjects delivered it to him on a red velvet pillow, in a ceremony broadcast live on Realitatea TV.

Stanescu's father, Ilie Badea Stanescu, 55, died on Monday in Costesti in southern Romania from a heart attack.

"I want to accomplish what my father began," the new king said without providing details.

His father was declared king in August 2003 during a controversial ceremony officiated by an Orthodox priest.

The Church's patriarchy criticised participation in the ceremony held at the Curtea de Arges monastery, where several Romanian kings have been crowned and buried.

There are officially 536 000 Roma in Romania, while community leaders claim between 1.5 and two million.

There is also a second self-proclaimed king, Florin Cioaba, as well as an emperor, Iulian Radulescu.