We don't investigate cemeteries as a rule. However, this urban legend is supposedly well known and supposedly taken the lives of people who have read it. Sort of like the Bloody Mary thing… So we thought it was at least worth a look and to post it here for those who do like cemeteries.

The story goes that a young girl was killed then burried in an old cemetery in western Pennsylvania and a curse was engraved on the headstone. It is said that if you read the inscription you will die in the same way as the girl.

Well we found it! The cemetery, headsotne and inscription do exist. However, it is not of a young girl. She was 69 and died in 1930.

It says:

Remember Youth as you go by

as you ere now so once was I

as I am now so you shall be

prepare for Death and follow me

Further investigation revealed that the inscription turns out to be a popular one and in many cemeteries around the country during that time period. Though they are all not the exact same but they send the same message. A noted one in the Carolina's is of a young girl and has a similar inscription but with an answer…

Effie Jean Robinson

1897-1922

Come blooming youths, as you pass by ,

And on these lines do cast an eye.

As you are now, so once was I;

As I am now, so must you be;

Prepare for death and follow me.

someone had added:

To follow you

I am not content,

How do I know

Which way you went.

You will notice on the stone above it says "as you Ere now" instead of "as you Are now".

No way of knowing if that was intentional or not but, if intentional, Ere could mean, early, soon or before. Maybe meaning they thought they went too early?

OR…

Maybe that is the curse? Maybe they inserted that intentionally. Meaning the reader would DIE soon?