Caption Monkey 15: Running Man

It's very gaudy to say the least. I sure wouldn't want that as MY gravesite.

It is all so very "Only in America" and kitch in the truest sense of the word; expensive and tasteless. He liked it and that is all that matters. I feel no urge to see it and cannot understand why so many people do.

The man lacked imagination and could have added some cherubs or pixies, etc.. 0r England is probably still laughing since he did end up with most of what Davis owned in life and obviously didn't advise on style and grace as well as refrain from offering moral opinions. He was not going to spoil the fun.

I think it's not too late to add some angels and fairies........... Maybe the family dog or why not Mr England. Only in America.

amazing, a little tacky but I guess he'll be remembered.
After all the whole point of an epitaph is for the deceased to be remembered, and it's common practice around the world - many of the World Wonders are essentially epitaphs (pyramids of Giza-Egypt, Taj Mahal in Agra-India)

To the comment who said this sort of grave was something you'd see "only in America": Ever been to an Italian cemetery? Tackiest things I've ever seen, especially if the people are rich. Americans don't have a lock on takcy.

I think it is great! Even if some think he was vain in only having statues of himself & his wife, it still leaves a lasting memorial to the craftsmanship of the carving of the marble and granite. A dying artform. A piece of history to be preserved.

I've been to the Davis memorial in Hiawatha. I read about in a Kansas "tourist" ds

Hey something from my home town
sweet
actually pretty lame but oh well

I agree with Mary. This is a bittersweet story of a monument to a unique life. As a lover of oddities and uniqueness, I'm glad to see stuff like this around. Besides, I sort of sympathize Mr. Davis' feelings toward his neighbors. While I don't hate mine, I live in a place where the homeowners association enforces uniformity with an iron fist. How I would love to build something big and brash like this just to be different!

Funny how everyone sees this as tacky and american. What I see is someone that was devoted to his wife, and the life that he shared with her.
Is love so dead in this world these days?

Pierter,

No most of the US is not this wierd. Only in Kansas.
I've lived there and the wierd people of California have nothing on the wierd red necks of Kansas. This is really strange and a huge waste of time and money.
Please do not judge the entire U.S. on Kansas.
Please. No, really.

It is fascinating-you get to see them at various
ages. I am surprised that no ghost stories have been linked to it(or are there?)
At first glance, it looks like an odd grave featuring
a dinner party or something like that.

I think it is a sweet story. To hell with the inlaws. How they must have resented this. Hoorey for these two lovers.

I think it's a good work of history. If a guy wanted to spend all his money on a memeroil of different stages of their marrige that meant something to him and only him then let him spend his money on it i would diffinaly go see the gravesite.

I think it is a beautiful, loving tribute to his wife. It's not about his taste so much as it is about his heart. It is also a great work of art--not in design--but in the carving of the stone. That kind of workmanship is hard to find and disappearing fast. He earned his money. He had the right to "burn" his money any way he saw fit. I think he did a great job and left an unusual, lasting treasure. Libraries are everywhere. Stuff like this isn't. The small town should just take the tourists dollars and shut their traps. He was in a no win situation with them.

I AM SURPRISED AT PEOPLE THINKING THIS TRIBUTE TO A MAN'S LOVE FOR HIS WIFE IS WEIRD. THEY HAD NO CHILDREN TO LEAVE ANYTHING TO. HE IMMORTALIZED HIS WIFE. THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL AND TOUCHING MARBLE MONUMENT. I WAS THERE IN 1957, WHEN FIRST MARRIED. HIS ANCESTORS ARE THERE. I NEVER FORGOT THE FEELING OF A GREAT LOVE OF A MAN TO HIS BELOVED WIFE.