12/18/2024
We all know the story of Shoeless Joe Jackson. Shoeless came from a large family with five brothers and two sisters. Three of his brothers served in World War I, and most of them played baseball.
One of his brothers, like Joe, excelled in the sport. His younger brother, Dave, signed with the Greensboro Patriots in 1914 at the age of 22. After a great season as an outfielder, the team awaited Dave's return the next year. Yet, that was not meant to be.
The parents were mill workers, and so were their children. Dave returned home and continued his work at Brandon Mill until the next season. Dave and his wife were expecting their first child.
Dave was having a typical day at the mill when he became entangled in a work belt. The belt pulled him up to the ceiling, over a pulley, and then slammed him back down to the floor. The accident broke both Dave's arm and leg, which ended his baseball career.
Dave registered to fight in World War I, but the military rejected him due to those same injuries.
Their little girl was born and passed away on the same day, March 22, 1915.
An unmarked grave at Graceland Cemetery in Greenville, SC, holds the little girl. She was later named Frances. The recorded description for the Jackson infant states, "Infant of D. M. Jackson."
Brandon Mill owns a large plot with over 258 unmarked graves. Most of them lack recorded names.
The Upstate Cemetery Preservation and Greenville County Historic Preservation want to find and mark these graves. They will do this through fundraising.
