Battle Grove Cemetery Has One Monument with Chinese Inscription

By Thelma Taylor

There is only one monument in historic Battle Grove Cemetery in Cynthiana, KY, that has an inscription written in a language other than English. Moy Foo is written in English and Chinese at the grave of one of Cynthiana’s most valued and colorful citizens.

Moy Foo, 1861-1929, came to America to visit the World Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1892. In 1898, he visited a cousin in Cynthiana who was having trouble with his laundry business because of the language barrier. Moy Foo bypassed the language problem by coding the laundry according to color and shape of tags.

The Chinaman’s sunny disposition and ability to overcome any difficulty soon won for him the devotion of the townspeople. He took over his cousin's business and made it successful.

He made an effort to visit his Chinese home once. While he was at Seattle, Washington ready to go overseas, he learned he wouldn't be able to get back into the United States. He returned to Cynthiana and claimed it as his home until he died.

Each Sunday morning the Chinese-Cynthianian could be found in his chosen pew the Christian Church. He contributed generously to the work of the church. Moy Foo asked the blind city police judge, R. C. Clary to see that his cousin got all his money upon his death. He asked that his former pastor, Cary F. Moore, conduct his funeral. Money for funeral expenses was in a safe deposit box in Covington, Kentucky.

Moore, who was in poor health and living in Florida at the time of Moy Foos death in November, 1929, came back to Cynthiana to fulfill the last wishes of his dear and trusting friend.

The lone Chinese-inscribed monument in the Presbyterian lot of the cemetery is a testament to the fact that Cynthiana took a lonely immigrant to its heart.

Other atricles about Harrison County and Harrison Countians.