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BLESSED UNION OF SOULS

© Debbie E. Payne

BLESSED UNION OF SOULS

Uploaded: October 26, 2009

Description

This picture was taken this weekend at the Emma Crawford Coffin parade and races in Manitou Springs, CO. History has it that Emma Crawford and William Hildebrandt were to be married but Emma, who had come to Manitou for the restorative powers of the mineral water here, succumbed when she was only 19. William had her buried on top of the mountain under her favorite pine tree where she rested in peace until casino entrepreneurs dug her up and moved her to a new location. Not too long after the move, down came the torrential rains of an afternoon Rocky Mountain thunderstorm and washed poor Emma all the way down the mountain where her coffin and its remains landed on the main street of Manitou Springs. Residents of Manitou Springs have celebrated Emma for over fifteen years and this day is the only day Emma and William are united in the city's events including a "wake" on Friday night, a parade, coffin races and a party in the park for the locals.

Exif: F Number: 9, Exposure Bias Value: 0.33, ExposureTime: 1/800 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 200, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 165.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 30D

Comments

Debbie E. Payne October 26, 2009

This is not an image that I would probably consider EP quality, but I just wanted you to know that I spent my weekend hanging out with people who looked like this! Went to the Emma Crawford Coffin Races again this year and what a hoot it was. It got national recognition this year with a crew from the Discovery Channel videotaping the parade and the ensuing coffin races down the middle of town in honor of Emma Crawford; a young woman who came to Manitou Springs with consumption in the hopes that the mineral water, and it's restorative powers could cure her. Alas, she succumbed to her disease and was buried at the top of the mountain under her favorite pine tree where she rested in peace for many years until a gambling palace was put on top of the mountain and she was dug up and moved to another place close by. A terrible Rocky Mountain thunderstorm washed out the area where she was reburied and she came tumbling down the mountain, coffin and all. So....because the town of Manitou Springs is a weird bunch, they celebrate this every year and have for the last 15 years.
Here are just a few of the images I got this weekend, complete with another picture of this girl's entire costume, and a picture of an Emma Crawford look-alike and her long-dead finance', Mr. Hildebrand. #1197066

Graham Robards October 27, 2009

Oh Wow Debbie, such a fascinating story and images to go with it.

Poor Emma not becoming cured! ~Pat #8077393

Aimee C. Eisaman October 27, 2009

I beg to differ with you Debbie....this is an EP worthy image in my eyes. I love the lighting and the muted colors. Such an interesting costume and personality. I love it! I'd love to be a part of something like this....would be so much fun. You are so lucky to have all these great festivals to go to. A great story that goes along with this. Sad....but great! :~) #8078594

Dale Hardin October 27, 2009

Great story Debbie. Must have been a blast to see all the costumes and people having fun.

To me the girl doesn't appear scary at all. In fact, the second image looks like a normal day at Venice Beach in California.

The last image is my favorite. Love the treatment. #8079214

Sharon October 27, 2009

SWEET PHOTOS! I like them all & I agree with Aimee! These are EP worthy :) Such a great story as well! I would love to see this in person!! #8079270

Debbie E. Payne October 27, 2009

Well Phellos....The Discovery channel did cover this entire event so maybe we can see it on TV sometime soon. One of the "coffins" almost ran over the guy on the Discover channel car! We were right up behind the yellow line so I could try to get action shots and it was a bit dicey there as somce of thise six-man teams and their coffins went by. I took a few "freeze" action shots which I might post to this thread when I get home.

Dele, you may be right. I think her tatoos and piercings were real and I think her real hair was short and spikey. Would fit right into Venice Beach but not so easily into the conservative, "Focus on the Family" atmosphere we have here in Colorado Springs. Although Manitou Springs has a reputation for having several "covens" of witches up here.

I heard that this year they even had a "wake" at Miramont Castle up the hill the night before this event and for the first time, this year, they had a "party in the park" for all after the races but we went home because our dog was forlorn that we left him at home all day. #8079382

Misty Blue October 27, 2009

This photos are GREAT Debbie….They show so much character! #8079479

Michael Kelly level-classic October 27, 2009

Fascinating Debbie. Love the story and what the town did to honor it. WE have Virgina City of Bonanza fame and the comstock load advertising the suicide table at the Bucket of Blood saloon so it does not seem that far out of the ordinary.

I think your photos especially the 1st and 3rd capture the atmosphere well and certainly are worth entering. I have no upgrades for them and think they are good to go as is. #8080295

Debbie E. Payne October 27, 2009

I'm throwing caution to the wind, and entering her in a day or two. Which should it be, Catch-All or People? #8080330

Debbie E. Payne October 27, 2009

Here's a couple of the coffin-racing images. Totally entertaining, especially the Egyptian guy in the sheets. Had to use that title. They just might have been "three sheets to the wind. #8080407

Rita K. Connell level-classic October 27, 2009

ditto that they are great captures and should be enter. love the story that goes with it. you did a great job at capturing her, the lighting is great on her. and I agree she is the Scariest Girl in Town but a great picture. #8080413

Aimee C. Eisaman October 27, 2009

People #8080444

Jeff E Jensen October 27, 2009

Fantastic group of images Debbie. I love stuff like this. I could fill a card or two on a day like this! #8080488

Anthony L. Mancuso October 28, 2009

That event looks like a ton of fun Deb that girl in the first post is an awesome portrait subject..I would def enter it in People. #8081921

Debbie E. Payne October 28, 2009

Okay, here goes! #8082608

Debbie E. Payne October 28, 2009

Before I let "Scary Girl" go, I thought it was doing an injustice to her by showing only that side of her personality. Anyone who has ever been in love knows this look. Beneath all the makeup, the spikey hair, the feathers and the piercings, she's just a young girl in love. #8082750

Aimee C. Eisaman October 28, 2009

Thanks for sharing Debbie...I agree with that assesment! :~) #8082778

Laura E. Swan level-classic October 29, 2009

WHOA! THIS IS GOOOOOOOD! HA! Thanks for bringing me here Debbie!

This was fascinating? Super creepy story!

HA!

LOVE IT, Debbie!

-Laura #8086622

Aimee C. Eisaman November 06, 2009

Congrats on your EP Debbie...I thought this was a neat image.....spooky! :~) #8109681

Aimee C. Eisaman November 06, 2009

O geeze how did they all get put on the same thread....weird! But I'm excited about the people EP....I could see her making finalist! :~) #8109682

Debbie E. Payne November 06, 2009

It is weird that they are all on the same thread, I thought so too! I now wish I'd taken more photos of her. She was really very photogenic. It'd be a real hoot if this one went higher. #8110383

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