To the Connersville News-Examiner:
Thank you for posting on your website the 11/15/97 story, "Cemetery job
more than mowing grass". The problem of protecting, preserving and
restoring pioneer cemeteries is a universal one and certainly not unique
to Fayette County.
We cannot underestimate the important role that newspapers such as yours
play in spreading the word among the general public that many of this
State's historic cemeteries have fallen victim to time, weather and, in
some cases, blatant neglect. Fayette County is very fortunate to have
individuals such as John Walters and Matt Campbell who are obviously
dedicated to this work.
Even cemeteries that enjoy regular maintenance are in need of lots of
time and attention, not to mention the materials required to keep them
in good condition. As Mr. Selke pointed out, there is a lot more to
this undertaking than just mowing the grass.
Here in Clark County we have thus far identified 180 cemeteries, the
majority of which meet the definition of "pioneer cemeteries", which is
to say they were established prior to 1850. Sadly, many of those
pioneer cemeteries have been abandoned and neglected for decades.
The Indiana Pioneer Cemetery Restoration Project is a new effort
underway to draw together people from across the State who are concerned
about the condition of our hundreds of abandoned and neglected
cemeteries throughout Indiana. If any of your readers are interested in
the INPCRP, they can learn more by visiting:
http://www.citznet.com/~ssattert/inpcrp/
Some of our pioneer cemeteries have VANISHED altogether. Some have been
stripped of their stones and converted into cultivated fields or housing
developments. Antique headstones have been known to be used as
landfill, to pave decks and cellars. Others still have been turned into
cow pastures, the headstones of the pioneers and veterans buried there
trampled by cattle and littered with manure. It's hard to believe, but
sadly it's true.
Thank you for highlighting for your readers the importance of
maintaining these sites and explaining the distinction between cemetery
preservation and "mowing the grass".
Lois M. Mauk
931 Colonial Park Drive
Jeffersonville, Indiana 47130
Home: (812) 282-6492
Office: (502) 583-2005, Ext. 211
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Clark County, Indiana Cemeteries Page:
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/5881/index.html
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Both buses on the 11/29/97 tour of TEN PIONEER CEMETERIES inside
the Indiana Army Ammunition Plant are SOLD OUT as of 11/18/97.
If you'd like to be added to a "Standby" list in the event of last
minute cancellations, let me know.
==== INPCRP Mailing List ====
Cemetery: (n) A marble orchard not to be taken for granite.