If you were to stroll the atmospheric Chippiannock Cemetery in Rock Island, Illinois, you’d likely happen upon the weathered headstones of siblings Eddie and Josie Dimick, which are guarded by a life-sized statue of a dog.
The children died on the same day in 1878, and their family’s descendants left Rock Island long ago. Still, strangers routinely place flowers on their headstones, photograph the family monument, and sweep away tears when they learn the story behind the arched granite epitaph and the likeness of a dog beside it that is carved out of stone.
In the autumn of 1878, a diphtheria epidemic swept through Rock Island, Illinois, a community on the banks of the Mississippi River. The brutal illness swiftly claimed the lives of many in this Midwestern town, including five-year-old Eddie and eight-year-old Josie, on October 22, 1878. It is said that they went to school together on Thursday, became ill on Friday, and died the following Tuesday evening.
More than 130 years later, the children’s tragic deaths might have been forgotten if it were not for the loyalty of their beloved Newfoundland dog. The gentle giant was reportedly so grief-stricken by the children’s deaths that he daily followed the parents’ carriage to the nearby cemetery, where he lay on the graves from dawn to dusk. The cemetery was just under a mile (1 km) from the children’s family home.
“With eye upraised his master’s look to scan,
George Crabbe
The joy, the solace, and the aid of man:
The rich man’s guardian and the poor man’s friend,
The only creature faithful to the end.”
According to newspaper articles from the nineteenth-century (note: see clippings below), the animal made this daily commute for nearly two years. After the dog’s death, Eddie and Josie’s parents, Otis and Harriet Dimick, wished to bury the loyal pet besides their children’s headstones. As cemetery policy prohibited this practice, they instead commissioned a Chicago artist to sculpt a life-sized statue of the dog, complete with swirly hair and mournful eyes. This likeness was then placed beside the Dimick children’s tiny headstones.
I first learned of this poignant tale in 1988 when, at the age of eleven, I moved into the brick home that Eddie and Josie had inhabited more than a century before me. I had visions of discovered artifacts hidden beneath the creaky attic floorboards. I wanted desperately to unearth treasures in the soil of the rolling hillsides in the home’s expansive yard. Little did I know at the time, however, that the greatest pleasure would come not from antique material objects, but from researching the home’s inhabitants, something that I did with my mother. After scanning rolls of microfiche and faded pages of history books at the library, we were better able to piece together the lives of the Dimick children and their companion dog, whose story continues to touch passersby, more than a century later.
I’ve heard several heartwarming tales about loyal pets, with the Scottish Greyfriars Bobby coming to mind. Do you have any anecdotes to tell from your region, or perhaps a story about your own family’s devoted companion?
Further Reading:
- Updating the Legend of Chippiannock Dog, an article in the Quad City Times, 14 September 2002.
- The Strange Stone Dog in the Cemetery, an article in the Quad City Times, 5 March 1993.
Where in the World?
Planning Pointers:
- The Dimick family plot is located in the historic Chippiannock Cemetery in Rock Island, Illinois. This Chippiannock Cemetery map shows the location of the Dimick family grave. It also highlights the graves of other notable people buried in this historic cemetery, which was established in the 1850s. But the area’s history goes back much farther. Before the cemetery was established, a significant number of Native Americans lived in this area, in a village called Saukenuk. Chippiannock is actually a Native American word meaning “Village of the Dead.”
- The Dimick family constructed an Italianate-style home in the countryside in 1872, and this is where Eddie, Josie, and the family dog lived and died. The city of Rock Island has since expanded, so the home is no longer in the countryside. The home is listed as a Rock Island Landmark, thanks to its architecture and the notable families who lived there throughout the years.
- I lived in the Dimick Home between 1988 and 2001, and my mother and I researched the home’s history. Despite hours of research, we were unable to discover the dog’s real name. We suspect that the family pet was buried somewhere on the home’s property.
- Years ago, Chippiannock Cemetery hosted a reenactment event called “Epitaphs Brought to Life.” A local English teacher and history enthusiast wrote the script for this event, and actors portrayed famous local people who were buried in the cemetery. The Dimick children were two featured “characters,” and a real-life Newfoundland dog even sat beside the children as they performed. The author of the script took a bit of artistic liberty and referred to the dog as Rex. However, to my knowledge, no local historians have ever been able to determine the real name of the dog.
- As my parents have now relocated to Germany, their beloved home is now for sale. If you know of anyone looking for a home with a plethora of wonderful stories, please feel free to get in touch.
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Photography & text © Tricia A. Mitchell. All Rights Reserved.
Travels With Tricia 
What a sad story ~ but so brilliant in it being heartwarming too, thanks for introducing this story so well through both your writing and photography. Just a fascinating piece of history, and it is nice to know that it is not being forgotten. Great post Tricia.
Randall, this is a story I’ve been wanting to share for a while. Since my parents are selling my childhood home, that’s been jogging many memories. Thanks for your thoughtful words, and glad you enjoyed this timeless tale. Hope you had a lovely weekend! :)
What a heart warming tale of a dog´s devotion. What an interesting place for you to grow up in. Thanks for sharing.
Darlene, happy to hear that you enjoyed the story. Indeed, it was fun growing up in a home with much character. Though we never found any great treasure hidden underneath dusty attic floorboards, or in the yard, the experience allowed my imagination to run wild. Once, friends and I even deposited our own time capsule into the yard. That chapter of my life inspired my appreciation of history.
A beautiful memoir, Tricia, about your childhood home and the heartwarming events that took place there. And to think that it was an orphanage,too. Definitely, an historical landmark. Many years ago my husband was commissioned to carve a life size replica of someone’s family dog that had passed away. They just couldn’t bear that he was gone. Such love and devotion these animals have. Thank you for sharing.
Lynne, thank you for your thoughtful comment, and for sharing your anecdote about Ron’s involvement in crafting a replica of a beloved pet. I’m curious what material he used – was it wood, or carved out of stone? He is a man of many talents!
You can probably imagine how, as a child, I was intrigued by the old house’s history. My elementary-school friends were convinced the house must be haunted, and they tried to convince me to get a Ouija board. We didn’t ever do that, and I can’t say that anything frightening ever happened there (unless you classify regular bat visits and even a mole coming inside as being scary). But, I do remember one of our pet dogs staring at the high living room ceiling as if there was something we weren’t sensing.
That’s such a heart warming story. There’s nothing like a dog.
Agreed, Gerard. Dogs do bring much happiness into one’s life. We had two lovely little ones that also lived in this home. I wonder how many other pets lived in the home as valued family members before we moved there. Thank you for your comment, and enjoy the rest of your Sunday!
What a beautiful home you spent your childhood. You must have so many memories, as your parents selling this home, I bet so many memories are coming up from your past. How wonderful you share them with the world. Thank you Tricia. Are you still in The States?
You’re correct about many memories coming back, Cornelia! From sledding on the terraced hills to dancing on the front porch, many fun moments were had there. And yes, we’re still in the States – maybe that means we might be able to link up since we’re almost in the same part of the country. :) Thank you for commenting, and may your week start off in a sunny fashion tomorrow!
This was such a moving story Tricia and you told it beautifully. I think it would make a marvellous children’s book if approached in the right way – how you lived there as a child and were fascinated by the children and their loyal dog.
Thank you, Carol. I’ve pondered that idea for some time, wondering how to make it upbeat and age-appropriate for a younger audience. Perhaps someday. :) Some years ago, for a walking tour of the cemetery, local writers did write narratives, telling the stories of the well-known people who are buried there. Actors portrayed these ‘characters’ and little Eddie and Josie Dimick were featured during the event. Some daughters of family friends played the role of Josie through the years, and my mom was even able to locate a few Newfoundland dogs to stand in for the role of this noble canine.
I can see the story in my head… I think it should be told from the point of view of you as a little girl being fascinated by the children who lived there and looking for the treasures they might have left behind. Maybe we should co-write it! Lol.
Awww. Heartbreaking. That newspaper obituary made me feel like this just happened. And to think that you lived in the house where they did. Makes it all the more personal.
I love the dog statue. It’s coincidental — I will be posting about another dog headstone erected in a cemetery here in Ohio that also makes you want to cry. Thanks for sharing this!
Juliann, the writing style in the obituary of that time has a different feel to it – more descriptive and sentimental, I think. The other two longer clippings describe the dog statue’s commissioning, and its eventual arrival from an artist’s studio in Chicago. Indeed a glimpse into the past.
As I was doing research for this piece, I discovered that there are a handful of such tales around the world, attesting to the loyalty of animals. It’ll be interesting to see your Ohio version shortly.
I was enthralled till the very end! Truly an intriguing and beautiful story. Love that you and your life in that gorgeous house is the next chapter!
mfryan, since my family is getting sentimental about selling the home, your comment offers a lovely way to reframe any sense of loss. We’re indeed lucky to have written one chapter of the home’s history by living there all those years. :)
I’m thrilled that you enjoyed the story of this gentle animal. Thank you for reading!
Oh wow, now I understand better where your perspective was when you wrote this. Selling a home is so emotional – I am glad that the blog can help you at least a bit with the process. Yes, you and your family will always be an important chapter. If only we all had the opportunity to be a part of a home with such a special story!
What a captivating story Tricia and I love the way that you told it. So glad that you have been able to keep it alive and it won’t be lost as the home moves on to it’s new owners!
Well said, Melinda, about the home’s stories being handed over. My mom compiled a book of stories about the home’s 7 or so other sets of owners, and we uncovered more interesting anecdotes, eliciting a mix of emotions. Have a lovely week, and nice to ‘see’ you. :)
that’s a lovely story!
Thank you, or rather dziękuję, Traveling Rockhopper. :) Happy that you enjoyed it!
Having a dogs company is life’s most pleasurable experience. This is a wonderful heart-warming post. I’m sure the Dimick Siblings and thier lovely pet would be happily playing somewhere in heaven.
Having grown up with some special dogs, I have to agree with you, fromtopview. It’s been more than 130 years since the Dimick children died, but I’m glad to hear that the tale of their loyal dog continues to touch people. Thank you for your comment.
This story was told in a nursing school by an instructor who was teaching the nursing students about the vaccine for diphtheria. I heard this story years ago and I was heartbroken. I have never seen the house they grew up in though. Thanks for all of this. It is very touching.
Susan, it’s interesting to hear how much reach this story has had. Do you know if the nursing school was in the Quad Cities (the area where the children lived)?
Back when I lived in this Rock Island house, my mom and I did a bit of genealogical research on the family. We had hoped to find photographs of the children, and perhaps learn the dog’s name, but weren’t successful. We did connect with some distant descendants of the family, who were now living elsewhere in the Midwest, and even they had never heard this story about their relatives.
Thank you for your message, and for adding to the story!