Augusta Bitner and her Grave

Augusta Bitner died tragically on June 1, 1906. Her grave lies in Lancaster Cemetery, marked by a very life-like statue. A statue that is said to wander about the cemetery. Along with the wandering statue is the story of her tragic death. According to the story, Augusta, the only child of a wealthy merchant, on the day of her wedding, tripped over her wedding dress and plunged down a flight of stairs to her death. In their grief, her parents commissioned a sculptor to capture essence in marble. Other versions of the story have her fall occurring just after her honeymoon. But neither story fits the actual facts.

Augusta Harriet Bitner was born on August 24, 1884 to Charles W. and Amelia Bitner. She was married on May 3, 1905 to Stanley Hart Levis and the newlyweds moved to Philadelphia. On Christmas Day 1905, Augusta gave birth to a daughter Sylvia. Augusta and her husband didn’t get to enjoy their life together for very long though. About a week after their first anniversary, Augusta got typhoid and passed away a few weeks later.