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Butler, Missouri, Tombstone of Linnie Crouch, Ripley's Smallest Tombstone, photo

Butler, Missouri, Tombstone of Linnie Crouch, Ripley's Smallest Tombstone, photo

A photo view of the tombstone of Linnie Crouch, located in the Oak Hill Cemetery, just east of the Bates County Courthouse Square, in Butler Missouri. Ripley's Believe It or Not states that this is the smallest tombstone in the world. The tombstone measures only 4.25 inches wide, 3 inches high, and 2.25 inches thick. Designed to look like a small book, the tombstone is mounted by a metal rod which runs through the spine. The metal rod is mounted to a wooden board which sits at ground level. The tombstone pivots on the metal rod so that it can be flipped over to view the opposite side. The backside of the tombstone reads: "Died Apr. 25, 1898." Notices published in the April 28, 1898 edition of the Bates County Democrat of Butler, Missouri identify Linnie Crouch as a "bright little colored girl, niece of Mrs. Geo. Ford." Her fathers' name is listed as Frank Crouch with no mention of her mother. She was fourteen years old and died of an ongoing lung problem. Six boys and six girls, schoolmates, served as her pall bearers. Two additional Crouch tombstones are located next to this grave, both of which are infants. See the additional photos below.

The backside of the Linnie Crouch tombstone showing the death date of April 25, 1898.

The backside of the Linnie Crouch tombstone showing the death date of April 25, 1898. More photos are below.

side view of the Linnie Crouch tombstone showing the "pages" of the "book."

A side view of the Linnie Crouch tombstone showing the "pages" of the "book." See the additional view below.

"Ripley's Smallest Tombstone" sign pointing to the location of the Linnie Crouch tombstone

The "Ripley's Smallest Tombstone" sign pointing to the location of the Linnie Crouch tombstone. This is on the north side of the Oak Hill Cemetery, west of the Bates County Courthouse Square, Butler, Missouri.

View an historic 1886 map of Bates County, Missouri

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