27. William Harte Monument
27. Sculptor Alexander Stirling Calder, father of the well-known modern artist, Alexander Calder, designed and carved the Celtic cross erected here in honor of William Harte. Harte was a naval officer during the CivilWar. His ship was leading a convoy on the White River near St. Charles, Arkansas, when confederate batteries opened fire. Second Officer Harte’s steamboat was blown up, and he was shot swimming to shore.
Though the family never found his grave, his son, Dr. Richard H. Harte, who later became a famous Philadelphia surgeon, commissioned the Calder Celtic cross. An intricately carved cenotaph, it was designed to employ a variety of nautical and religious symbols, and is an excellent example of the sculptor’s art.
Though Harte is not interred here, his wife, MaryAnn Betty Harte, was buried here on top of the hill in her family’s lot. The cross has since been placed at the cemetery entrance where it remains, a high point in any tour of the cemetery.
