I think both of you have made strong points. Personally, I think cemeteries
should be off-limits to development, whether agricultural or commercial,
period. On a gut-level, I have a real problem with the removal of
graveyards for basically the same reasons Sue and John mentioned. When I
read of farmers removing headstones and planting over graveyards in the
not-so-distant past, it makes me queasy to think of such callousness. If an
individual buys property knowing it contains a cemetery, then they knew what
they were getting into from the get-go; if one buys property and later
discovers a cemetery on it, then I think that's just the risk one takes. As
was pointed out, cemeteries represent part of our heritage and history, and,
as such, they belong to all of us, not just the landowner. Since most of
these old cemeteries take up relatively little space (probably less than a
1/4 to 1/2 acre in most cases), I can't see what the big deal is--so
build/plow around them, already. I realize that not all developers and
business people are only out for profit--the Wheaton Van Lines example in
the Indianapolis Star article, for instance, and I applaud Mr. Wheaton;
however, given the recent headlines showing how millionaire CEO's have
profited handsomely at the expense of their own employees and even the
well-being of their own companies, I can't help but feel that most
businesspeople would bulldoze a cemetery in the name of greed and never lose
sleep over it. There needs to be a balance somewhere between the desire to
make money and moral (dare I use that word?) and cultural responsibility to
preserve history, not to mention the remains of actual human beings. In my
mind, the definitions of "development" and "progress" are two very
different
concepts.
I recently discovered that I had ancestors in Decatur County, Indiana, and
have wondered if their graves have been preserved or fallen victim to
indifference. Kudos and many thanks to INPCRP members, the DNR, and people
like John, Micki, Ernie and others for their efforts to keep this from
happening.
Laurie Morris (climbing off my soapbox)
Fort Worth, TX
mailto: lmorris(a)wt.net
----- Original Message -----
From: John Walters <graveyardgroomer(a)skyenet.net>
To: <INPCRP-L(a)rootsweb.com>
Sent: Saturday, July 27, 2002 11:53 AM
Subject: Re: [INPCRP] Pioneer cemeteries get respect, by state law
VERY WELL PUT SUE.
Sure we have seen some laws change,and that is a good thing.However, I
personally do not feel we should be patting any backs.We certainly have a
long way to go.
I have restored many tombstones ,complete family plots ,to complete
municipal cemeteries,and I wonder when all the hard work and well spent
money that went into restoring these fortunate yards will someday be in
the
way of progress.
I am currently working on Ebenezer Lutheran Cemetery , I am close to
completion and I hope that it will be seen as a model to the fact that
they
can be saved . Restored in the proper manner these pioneer cemeteries
could
be viewed as the outdoor museums they are.They do not have to be the
eyesore
we have let them become.
Walt
"Saving History one Tombstone at a Time"
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If we cannot respect the dead, how can we respect the living?