In the remote forests of Bedford County, Pennsylvania, a small marble monument quietly stands as a testament to a heart-wrenching 19thcentury tragedy. Known as the Lost Children of the Alleghenies Monument, or Cox Monument, it marks the final resting place of two young brothers, George (age 7) and Joseph (age 5), who disappeared from their home in Spruce Hollow in April 1856. Despite a massive search involving nearly a thousand volunteers, their fate remained a mystery until a local farmer’s vivid dream led to their discovery. The monument, erected in 1906 on the exact spot by Ciana Run where the boys were found, continues to draw visitors who leave tokens of remembrance. These historic photos capture not only the monument’s rustic setting but also the enduring power of memory and community grief.
The Tragic Journey of the Cox Brothers
On April 24, 1856, Samuel Cox returned from a morning hunt to find his two sons missing. His wife Susannah assumed they had gone with him, but confusion quickly turned to panic. Over the next ten days, searches involving neighbors, hunters, and even a dowser and a selfproclaimed witch combed the vast woodland without success. It wasn’t until May 2 that local farmer Jacob Dibert began dreaming of the boys’ location a sequence of images involving a dead deer, a birch tree, and a child’s shoe. Three nights later, guided by his dream, he and his brotherinlaw Harrison Whysong discovered the boys’ bodies exactly as in the dream lying by a birch at Ciana Run. These uncanny details are recorded in the monument’s inscription.
Discovery Through Dream
Dibert’s dreams provided the only clue to the boys’ whereabouts an astonishing coincidence that deeply affected the local community. It led to the identification of landmarks that search teams had repeatedly missed. Ultimately, on May 8, their bodies were found together near the stream. The area, dense with evergreen forests and rocky terrain, made it nearly impossible to locate them without that extraordinary vision.
Erecting the Monument
Fifty years after the tragedy, the community raised funds to memorialize the boys. In 1906, a simple yet poignant marble structure was placed where they were found. It stands beneath a protective wooden shelter and chainlink fence to guard against vandalism and weather damage. Inscriptions on all four sides recount the date of their disappearance and discovery as well as the age and names of George and Joseph.
Memorial Features
- Marble pillar engraved with details of the boys’ disappearance and discovery
- Protective wooden shelter and fencing surrounding the monument
- Visitors’ offerings like stuffed toys and crosses placed nearby
- Informational signage recounting the story and site significance
Photographic Moments
The historic images from the early 20th century show solemn ceremonies marking the monument’s dedication. They capture community members including children and veterans standing respectfully around the site. Modern photographs, in turn, present a haunting serenity: the monument nestled within dense woodlands, protective enclosure visible, with small toys left by visitors reminding us of ongoing grief and reverence.
Then and Now
Early photos from 19061910 present a fresh memorial, free from weathering, with clean marble surrounded by formal garb and somber faces. Contemporary images show natural wear, moss, and personal tributes placed by visitors connecting past community sorrow with present-day remembrance.
Visiting the Monument Today
Today, the monument lies a short walk about 250 yards from a small parking area on Monument Road in State Game Lands 26 near Blue Knob State Park. Visitors pass over footbridges across Bobs Creek and Ciana Run before reaching the memorial. The trail is simple yet surrounded by tall trees and thick undergrowth, evoking the very conditions that once concealed the two boys for days.
Visitor Notes
- Trail is short but remote; wear blazeorange in hunting season
- Monument is fenced and sheltered to prevent damage
- Bring supplies; no restrooms or facilities
- Pay respects quietly and leave tributes sensitively
The Legacy Reflected in Photos
Photographs of the Lost Children of the Alleghenies Monument do more than document a memorial they capture the depth of human tragedy and community mourning. The contrast between early formal dedication photos and modern scenes of quiet woodland shrines shows how public grief has evolved into personal reflection. Toys, flowers, and handwritten notes left by visitors today extend the boys’ memory beyond their era, showing an enduring emotional connection.
Symbolism in Imagery
Every image whether showing the polished marble or encroaching forest symbolizes themes of innocence lost and nature’s recovery. The protective fence around the monument underscores both vulnerability and care. Photos of visitors leaving mementos continue this narrative, bridging centuries of remembrance.
Why These Photos Matter
Images of this monument serve as powerful visual stories that deepen our understanding of the event:
- They preserve a moment in local history that could otherwise be forgotten
- They show how communities memorialize tragedies over generations
- They capture evolving attitudes moving from public ceremony to quiet contemplation
- They evoke empathy, making history tangible for those who visit or view them later
Memory in Stone and Forest
The Lost Children of the Alleghenies Monument represents a deep blend of sorrow, hope, and the search for closure. Through photographs from early dedication ceremonies to fallow autumn scenes the boys’ story remains vivid. These images remind us of the fragility of childhood, the mysteries of nature, and the enduring power of communal memory. As long as the monument stands beneath the birches and beside Ciana Run, and as long as photos shared in albums or online continue to circulate, George and Joseph Cox will not be forgotten.
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