Morning Kyle,
Just a couple comments about the difference between the way Indiana and Ohio handle human
remains. It is my opinion that there really isn't much difference, and that all of
the same problems that we have with pioneer cemeteries here is Indiana exist in Ohio as
well. In fact, Ohio laws are somewhat more lax and slanted toward the rights of property
owners than are Indiana's. In this particular case, it would appear that the local,
not state, government is taking responsibility for the reburial. If this were being dealt
with at the state government level, the remains would very probably be handled in a
similar fashion as is typically done here in Indiana. I can guarantee you that Ohio has
it's fair share of bones in boxes.
In Indiana, responsible local citizens that contact the county coroner when human remains
are discovered can preempt the need for state government intervention. The coroner can
make a determination as to the nature and age of the remains and report the discovery to
DNR. In the case of more recent human remains, the actual handling and disposition of the
bodies can certainly be dealt with locally. If the problem becomes a concern of the state
archaeologist, then he is professionally bound to follow the standard methodology of the
science. I think that it's safe to say that state government entities would prefer
that the problem of accidental discovery of modern human remains be dealt with at the
local level.
I think it is also important to remember that it wasn't that long ago when the
discovery of prehistoric or pioneer period human remains were dealt with in the least
delicate manner. I know of several anecdotal accounts from the 60's, 70's and
even in the early 80's where skeletal remains were simply scooped into hefty bags or
the equivalent and disposed of like so much refuse. This is as true in Ohio as it is in
Indiana. There are probably quite a few on this list that can recall similar sad stories.
I'm really making two points: First, the pioneer cemetery problem is clearly
widespread and is most certainly not distinguished by state borders. Significant strides
toward preservation and prohibiting destruction of early cemeteries have been made here in
Indiana in recent years. At least, the trend is in the right direction. The pioneer
cemetery grass is pretty green and getting greener here in Indiana.
Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, most issues like this should be handled at the
local level. Many of the concerns of folks on this list including the proper care of
cemetery sites; the disposition of accidentally discovered human remains; moving of
cemeteries; and especially vandalism are all local issues that can and should be
proactively resolved starting right at home and with a minimum of state or federal
government intervention. Each community, and for that matter each family, should take
responsibility within it's sphere of influence. It is at the local level where the
most difference can be made.
Regards,
Rich Green
Historic Archaeological Research
4338 Hadley Court
West Lafayette, IN 47906
(765) 464-8735
http://www.har-indy.com
From: KidClerk(a)aol.com
To: INPCRP-L(a)rootsweb.com
Sent: Sunday, September 29, 2002 7:31 AM
Subject: Re: [INPCRP] Rest in Pieces
I have a comment or two on the issue over in Greene County...let's compare
what they're doing to what would happen here in Indiana:
#1. First of all, as best as anyone can tell, there is no record of this
being a cemetery. It has not been cared for as a cemetery. One person kinda
remembers a headstone there...possibly. But for all practical purposes, it
is a new discovery of human remains.
#2. It sounds as if the county is making arrangements for the bodies to be
reinterred in a proper manner in the cemetery on the same property. Maybe a
headstone or two will be discovered...we'll see.
#3. If this were Indiana, the DNR would hover over these graves like
vultures, sweeping them up in their arms as soon as the excavation were
complete and taking them to Indianapolis to be placed in banker's boxes with
the names John Doe #1, John Doe #2, etc. on the box. There they would be
examined and then placed on a shelf in some state office building until a
group of concerned members of this list complained loud enough to see them
properly reinterred at an appropriate cemetery.
#4. I guess my point is this....bodies have been moved from old to new
cemeteries for a hundred years or so, many times at the family's insistence.
I can live with that, especially in a case such as this where no one even
knew the burials existed and development is highly anticipated. But at least
the county officials are doing right be immediately reinterring the
bodies...hopefully in a respectable manner. You won't find that here in
Indiana...and I've always felt that was a shame. This would be totally
different if this were a recognized cemetery that had no longer been cared
for or had been destroyed, but it does not sound like that is the case...at
least not yet. Yes...maybe these pioneers will rest in pieces and not peace,
but it would be worse if they were in Indiana and not Ohio.
-Kyle
==== INPCRP Mailing List ====
This list is for discussion of topics related to the Indiana Pioneer
Cemeteries Restoration Project only.