Hello, There has been quite a bit of discussion on the ARMISSIS-D (Mississippi County, AR) list about abandoned and neglected cemeteries. It seems that there are several cemeteries in Mississippi County that are in a sad shape. Recently, my distant cousins tried to visit one in Osceola called the Pioneer's cemetery. It is where a lot of the first settlers of Mississippi County are buried. They said that the cemetery had been vandalized and they were verbally and physically threatened by local "guys". They did find the grave of Captain Charles Bowen, but others were missing. I have heard stories of a graveyard in Blytheville being cleared to make a park and the gravestones were lined up next to the fence. Also, the Air Force cleared part of another cemetery next to the air base in Blytheville. My question is this: What can be done to stop this disregard for cemeteries? Apparently the local officials do not have a interest in preserving the history of Mississippi County. Who can we contact to get help? Thanks for your time, Vernon DuBar mailto:[email protected]

The Arkansas Historic Preservation Program has a very good handbook, researched and written by Tammie Trippe-Dillon, entitled " GRAVE CONCERNS, A Preservation Manual For Historic Cemeteries in Arkansas." This book has information about Arkansas laws pertaining to cemeteries, both active and historic, as well information about forming a family cemetery association, safe methods for cleaning gravestones, inventorying a cemetery and application for placement on the National Register of Historic Places. The cost was $5 for the book several years ago. There is a website which may have updated information about cost and ordering but this is the address from the book. Arkansas Historic Preservation Program 1500 Tower Building, 323 Center Street Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 324-9880 Debra Blackard