Can you really see a difference, I hope so.
----- Original Message -----
From: jb502000(a)aol.com
To: INPCRP
Sent: Saturday, February 10, 2001, 2:43 AM
Subject: [INPCRP] Re: Cemetery Protection, or should I say Lack of it.
Today, I visited the site of a Pioneer cemetery. Or where it had been,
with
7 Stones on the site, there had been 1 very Large one with 2 names on it,
man and wife. I also Visited the Site where the remains ??? had been moved.
The
5 Marble tablets looked very nice. They had been sanded nice and white, and
had
a very nice burial site. Unless you see 3 places where the ground was dug
up to
put Small > Cremation Boxes of Remains of a minimum of 8 people. The size
of the
burial > spots for at least 8 people looked like
someone had buried 3 very
very small
Children. They were moved to Fairview Cemetery in New Albany. The Cemetery
Superintendent said a very small amount of remains were found, so they were
buried in "Small" cremation Boxes. The old Smith Family Burying ground would
possibly have been at the front door of a Large Planned Department Store. I
do not want anyone to misunderstand me. I don't object to the Removal.
Caesar's Gambling Riverboat on Property 6 inches from the Floyd County
Line,
Had the Remains of Native Americans buried There, and the Archeologist
from
1 or > 2 Indiana State universities worked there for a year, The reason,
before
anything could be built there, the site had to be thoroughly examined, and
all Ancient remains Recovered and eventually turned over to Native Americans
for a Proper Reburial, according to their customs. I think this was all done
properly, and more then likely with dignity.
But we Caucasians, as we
are > known (my family did not come from
the
(Cacuces), And I'm not (Native > American,
I'm White), So were the Smith
Family.
But apparently our Customs > For a Proper
Disinterment, and Reinternment,
don't
count for much. The > Cemetery was moved
completely??? in one day, actually
less,
and dirt was > hauled in immediately and the site
was covered. I don't know
why,
the whole > area is going to be graded level.
The State Health Department, and the Department of Historic
Preservation, and Archaeology, the very people these LAWS have been
delegated to oversee, and Protect our Pioneers,
Did not Even Know the Site was
being moved. It was over before I could
call
Indianapolis and Check on the removal.
When I do call, no one can answer my questions, they have to get back
with
me. (Don't Happen) I have been checking all day today to find out
where the
Smiths were moved. If their descendants want to visit, they without
my diligence, and Reporting the new location to the Indiana room at
the
Library in New Albany, would not have had any idea where they went to. This
is Pathetic. I checked 2 cemeteries, that I was told they had been moved to.
Finally I went to the Floyd Co. Circuit Court Clerk, from which Judge Cody
had issued the Permit to Remove the Cemetery, and I found out the Court
order only grants permission, They have no Idea where the remains are Going.
The > Clerk directed me to the Attorneys office who obtained the Permit.
They were
able to tell me where they had been moved, but not Who Oversaw the
Disinterment. Or Reinternment.
I went to the Cemetery, and the Superintendent showed me where they
were
Buried. There were 3 small holes in the ground, with 2 large stones on each
end, and 5 small Marble tablets with a Slightly larger Hole for the 5.
Whoopee, they even took pictures of the reburials. Also the person in charge
said a descendant for $1.00 gave permission for the removal. Why, with a
Court order it's not necessary.
To show the difference between Native American, and how our ancestors
are handled I for the first time in my life saw 5 Marble tablets for markers
about 2 or 3 inches apart. When I saw how they had been treated, I had tears
in my Eyes, and I don't mind saying it. It appears the only thing was to
hurry and get it over with. Incidentally, a Back Hoe was used to recover the
Remains. No wonder they never recovered much. This was a Construction Job,
not a Reburial. If the DHPA and the DNR want to really protect these people,
why don't they require Notification of their Department, and require someone
of authority, as opposed to the Project manager, to oversee the Removal. He
has probably only seen nice Burials where the dirt isn't even thrown on the
Caskets until everyone leaves. How does he or his Operator know how to
recover Human Remains Properly?
As I have repeatedly stated, the Laws
were > passing now are better
than
nothing, but they, in my opinion are only >
appeasement Laws, and have no
genuine
protection at all. If I, being on the > INPCRP
List can't help resolve this
sordid state
of affairs, then I may as > well
Unsubscribe, stop recording the Locations
of Pioneer
Cemeteries to > turn over to the DNR, and
say to Hell with it and go back
into
retirement in > Florida. If this E-Mail offends
anyone, GOOD, I'll be proud
of it!
At least > the Smith Family has 1 person that feels
for their plight, and
now I know
better than anyone else in Indiana just how much protection these Sites
have, and what kind of respect one person has for another. Same old story,
If you
have the Money, anything goes, to hell with the Law, it's already finished.
Lets Move the Pioneer Cemeteries if Necessary, But let's do it with the
Dignity that they are entitled to. Not hauled in a Pickup Truck.
Jack E. Briles Sr.
jb502000(a)aol.com
Po Box 444
New Albany, In. 47151-0444
(812) 282-6585
You may want to print this for future reference To make sure the LAWS are
rigidally enforced.