"The People's Voice" Swainsboro, Georgia August 16, 1973 EMANUEL COUNTY HISTORY Vandalism of Graves The Tomb of Johnny Crump, Hewn from Solid Rock (two pictures) This ancient tomb is part of Emanuel County history and has a very interesting story of devotion and consideration for the wishes of another. It is located several miles northeast of Summertown, Georgia, and although the original home has long since been destroyed and the large oak has died, the stump, although badly decayed, still stands. Swainsboro. On March 26, 1970, an article was published in The People's Voice entitled "A Strange Obsession". The article concerned a local family of Civil War days and the strange obsession of one of its members. We are reprinting the original article as information along with a presentday follow-up of what has transpired since its publication. At the time the original article was printed, we visited the tomb of Johnny Crump and made pictures. We visited the tomb again on Monday of this week and again made pictures. It amazes us that there are people who would desecrate a tomb. However, it seems that there are not only some people like this, but there must be many of them according to what information we have received. The picture made last Monday shows clearly where a portion of the cover of the tomb has been cemented in place by Deputies of the Emanuel County Sheriff's Dept. One portion of this cover had been removed by persons unknown, for reasons unknown and by methods unknown. It must have taken considerable effort to remove it since five men attempted to pick it up and put it back in place but were unable to move it at all. A lift truck from a local concrete dealer was required to replace the cover. Another nearby tomb made of brick had a large hole in it and according to reliable information, had been disturbed and some of its contents removed. This man and his family, according to history, served the Confederacy as far as is known in an honorable and unselfish manner. It will be noted that he ran away from home at the age of sixteen to enlist in the service. It will also be noted that he had four brothers who had answered the call to service, as well as three brothers-in-law. We wonder if it is asking too much of citizens today to think a little respect should be shown by at least having the decency to allow the remains of this Confederate veteran to rest in peace. Has our society reached a point so low that there is no longer any respect for the dead? We are well aware that there are many people who went to the tomb of Johnny Crump and did not disturb it in any manner. People who went out of curiosity and possibly to see this unusual tomb. This was expected when the article was published in 1970. The property owners are very nice people. They did not mind people coming to look at the tomb although it was located in the middle of private property. However, so little respect and consideration was shown for this privilege that fences were torn down, gates left open and livestock let out, as well as the desecration of the tomb itself. The property is now posted. Citizens are no longer welcome to come and look. All because of carelessness on the part of some, vandalism on the part of others, and thoughtlessness on the part of many more. The Crump tomb is part of Emanuel County history. It is also a lasting memorial to the spirit and devotion which founded this nation and made it great. It is the last resting place of a man who served his country as best he knew how. We ask the general public to PLEASE consider the above and allow the Honored dead to rest undisturbed. Perhaps in the future you also, will be allowed to rest undisturbed. Recalling the epitaph seen on a grave of considerable age, we leave it for your consideration . . . Stop my friend, as you pass by, For as you are, so once was I, As I am now, you are sure to be, Prepare, my friend to follow me. You, dear reader, will surely follow Johnny Crump. (Olivia Williamson Braddy - June 13, 2008)

Olivia wrote: The Tomb of Johnny Crump, Hewn from Solid Rock (two pictures)...It is located several miles northeast of Summertown, Georgia. Interesting article, Olivia. If anyone has a picture of this tomb, I'd love to see it. My little brain just can't visualize a rock that large in the sandy soil of north east Emanuel County. Delores > From: [email protected]> To: [email protected]> Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:14:07 -0400> Subject: [GAEMANUE] Johnny Crump's Tomb - Part II> > > "The People's Voice"> Swainsboro, Georgia> August 16, 1973> > > EMANUEL COUNTY HISTORY> Vandalism of Graves> > The Tomb of Johnny Crump, Hewn from Solid Rock (two pictures)> This ancient tomb is part of Emanuel County history and has a very > interesting story of devotion and consideration for the wishes of another.> It is located several miles northeast of Summertown, Georgia, and > although the original home has long since been destroyed and the large oak > has died, the stump, although badly decayed, still stands.> > Swainsboro. On March 26, 1970, an article was published in The People's > Voice entitled "A Strange Obsession". The article concerned a local family > of Civil War days and the strange obsession of one of its members.> We are reprinting the original article as information along with a > presentday follow-up of what has transpired since its publication. At the > time the original article was printed, we visited the tomb of Johnny Crump > and made pictures.> We visited the tomb again on Monday of this week and again made > pictures. It amazes us that there are people who would desecrate a tomb. > However, it seems that there are not only some people like this, but there > must be many of them according to what information we have received.> The picture made last Monday shows clearly where a portion of the > cover of the tomb has been cemented in place by Deputies of the Emanuel > County Sheriff's Dept.> One portion of this cover had been removed by persons unknown, for > reasons unknown and by methods unknown. It must have taken considerable > effort to remove it since five men attempted to pick it up and put it back > in place but were unable to move it at all. A lift truck from a local > concrete dealer was required to replace the cover.> Another nearby tomb made of brick had a large hole in it and > according to reliable information, had been disturbed and some of its > contents removed.> This man and his family, according to history, served the > Confederacy as far as is known in an honorable and unselfish manner. It will > be noted that he ran away from home at the age of sixteen to enlist in the > service. It will also be noted that he had four brothers who had answered > the call to service, as well as three brothers-in-law. We wonder if it is > asking too much of citizens today to think a little respect should be shown > by at least having the decency to allow the remains of this Confederate > veteran to rest in peace. Has our society reached a point so low that there > is no longer any respect for the dead?> We are well aware that there are many people who went to the tomb of > Johnny Crump and did not disturb it in any manner. People who went out of > curiosity and possibly to see this unusual tomb. This was expected when the > article was published in 1970. The property owners are very nice people. > They did not mind people coming to look at the tomb although it was located > in the middle of private property. However, so little respect and > consideration was shown for this privilege that fences were torn down, gates > left open and livestock let out, as well as the desecration of the tomb > itself. The property is now posted. Citizens are no longer welcome to come > and look. All because of carelessness on the part of some, vandalism on the > part of others, and thoughtlessness on the part of many more.> The Crump tomb is part of Emanuel County history. It is also a > lasting memorial to the spirit and devotion which founded this nation and > made it great. It is the last resting place of a man who served his country > as best he knew how. We ask the general public to PLEASE consider the above > and allow the Honored dead to rest undisturbed. Perhaps in the future you > also, will be allowed to rest undisturbed. Recalling the epitaph seen on a > grave of considerable age, we leave it for your consideration . . . Stop my > friend, as you pass by, For as you are, so once was I, As I am now, you are > sure to be, Prepare, my friend to follow me. You, dear reader, will surely > follow Johnny Crump.> > (Olivia Williamson Braddy - June 13, 2008) > > > Emanuel County GaGenWeb> http://www.thegagenweb.com/gaemanuel/> -------------------------------> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message