From;Jackbriles(a)aol.com
Subject: Jenkins Cemetery at St Joe Catholic Church
Date: Tue, 8 Mar 2005 12:25:22 EST
In a message dated 2/14/05 5:21:10 PM Eastern Standard Time,
oldturtle13(a)boldnet.net writes:
The following E-mail has some discrepancies in it, as to the size of the
Jenkins Cemetery, which is One Acre, not 40 X 40 as I stated. Also since the
Cemetery is One Acre and not as I described it, the Jenkins Cemetery Sign is
well within the Cemetery. I apologize to the Descendants of the Jenkins family.
The description I wrote was from my Observations at the time. I had just had
a discussion with the Priest and was answering Mrs. Sonneson without knowing
the actual size. I apologize to her or any other members of her family That
may have take offense over my E-mail.
Sincerely
Jack E. Briles Sr. jackbriles(a)aol.com
Linda,
My wife Betty and I went out and talked to Father JR (as he prefers to be
called) He said he did not know about the sign until it was up. He said your
husband installed it without his knowdlege. Actually, he has a point. The
sign is
not in the cemetery, but down the hill on obvious church property. It really
should have been placed on the hill top at the cemetery. (not true)
I am going to look for an Exception on the deed, if there is one. He
said the Archdiocese in Indianapolis thinks that with the sign you may want
to
claim that whole plot of land. He also said, where had your family been for
the last 100 years while the church mowed the property. Actually that is not
a
valid question. The INPCRP is in the process of correcting this, along with
the
Trustees and the DNR and DHPA. Many cemeteries were neglected until the last
8-10 years and now the families want to restore them and maintain them.
There
was a long period of time when nearly all cemeteries were neglected, and
farmers and others were removing the stones and using the ground, because
there was
no law preventing it, but times do change, as it has now with computer
connections. Letter writing was so slow nothing ever happened.
I explained to him I have no Legal powers of any kind, I only volunteer
to help resolve things like this. I am not employed with the state, nor any
other group. I am a volunteer. He also assured me the cemetery would not be
moved, disturbed nor used for any other purpose. The area is as Sacred and
secure
as the church cemetery on the other side of the church. And as far as future
burials, they have Acres of open space. In fact he said the Archdiocese is
going
to start building what he called a "Columbarium" (May not be spelled
correct)
and recommend Cremation and the remains placed in a Small niche. They can't
bury forever without running out of space.
Land is becoming so hard to come by, and is very expensive. But the
Jenkins cemetery is safe. If the sign would have been at the top of the hill
I
believe it might not have been a problem. I estimated the Graveyard at no
more
than 40 X 40 feet, and the sign is about 150 feet away down next to the
Parking
lot, and on church Property. (Not True.)
Naturally the church gets nervous if it looks like they are going to lose
such a large piece of land. Maybe if you contacted the Priest about moving
the
sign up the hill to the cemetery, and assured him you had no intentions of
claiming the whole
(I guessed 3 Acres) area, you might be able to work out an agreement. It's
worth a try.
Sincerely,
Jack E. Briles Sr.
Floyd-Clark Co. INPCRP Coordinator
PO BOX 444
New Albany, In. 47151-0444
(812)282-6585