North Dakota, Billings County, Medora![]()
The Medora Cemetery consists of 1.93 acres located on a grassy plateau on the west bank of the Little Missouri River overlooking Medora. The Medora Cemetery Association was formed on October 15, 1919, by six pioneers of this area: Geo. R. Osterhout, Oren Kendley, Frank Shaw, Jim O. Gray, John F. Tester and Paul W. Lebo.
November 27, 1919, Medora de Vallombrosa, wife of the Marquis de Mores, transferred the deed to the land to the Medora Cemetery Association.
The first recorded burial in the cemetery area was that of William S. Livingston, who was shot and killed at Little Missouri on July 17, 1881. The locations of a number of graves from early days are unknown and unmarked.
“Those remembered in our cemeteries are our heritage, a testament to the fragileness of life yet a beacon of hope for those who were granted the gift of life to help make a better Billings County – and world.”
(Echoing Trails II)
Some of the gravestones are based on local folklore. Several existing monuments either do not mark graves or are misidentified.
The marker inscribed E. Gary Paddock, U.S. Marshall, 1845-1907 clearly refers to Elbridge Gerry Paddock, a colorful early day resident who served for a time as a Deputy U.S. Marshal. Paddock was in the Little Missouri Valley by 1880. He left North Dakota in 1907 for California. He is buried in the Mission Hill Memorial Park Cemetery, Santa Clara, California.
The marker inscribed “Frency deNoyer, Medora’s first resident, 1829” refers to longtime resident Francoise/Frank de Noyer, known as Frency. De Noyer enlisted in the Eighth Minnesota Infantry and marched through the Little Missouri Badlands with the expedition of General Alfred Sully in 1864.
The marker inscribed “U.S. Army Soldier From Contonement, Fell From R.R. Bridge” remains a mystery. The official records of the Badlands Cantonement state that no soldier died there during the life of the post, 1879-1883, nor has any record been found of a soldier dying while on campaign in the area.
The marker inscribed “Man the Bank Fell On” may refer to Joseph Doulisch, who was injured when an earthen foundation fell on him at Medora on March 19, 1881. Doulisch died of his injuries on April 3.
Conversely, no monument exists today for a man named John Margranahan, who was dismembered and killed when he fell from a train a Medora on the night of April 26-27, 1884.
(Cemeteries & Burial Sites) Includes location, directions, 3 photos, GPS coordinates, map.
Preston H. Leslie, born Ky., 1819. Died Montana, 1907. Completed term of Gov. John Stevenson from Feb. to Sept., 1871, when elected 27th Governor of Kentucky. Known for his sound judgment of State affairs and meeting the needs of growing population and business. Territorial Governor of Montana, 1887-89. US Dist. Atty. 1894-98. Appointed by Pres. Cleveland.
Henry Skaggs and two companions trapping beaver, winter 1770-71, were probably first white men in this area. Named Long Hunters due to long period away from home in the East. Came through Cumberland Gap, 1769, in party led by James Knox. Skaggs’ group left the main party to spend the winter here. Friendly with the Indians, Skaggs brought many pioneers here later.
Indiana.
Built 1879 
In honor 
