It is a sad day in Auburn, Illinois--If you haven't heard the news--Auburn Cemetery was vandalized Tuesday night. Over 100 stones pushed over or broken. I was there at 6:00 tonight and it was a sad sight. The oldest part was hit the worse. It was also the darkest part of the cemetery. I talked to the caretaker who wasn't living in the house at the time due to remodling of the residence. He was really upset since he was just given the job a short time ago. I asked what I could do for him. He said that tomorrow that Arnold's Monument and a company from Carlinville would be bring hoists and repair equipment to start the repair work. I asked him what he would need in the way of help and he said he wasn't sure yet. I talked to Alex Decatoire, retired worker of Arnold's who lives in Auburn and who also worked with us on the Wimmer Cememtery Project and he and George LeConte of Auburn were going to help and anyone who could give a hand would be welcomed. This is what folks could do---help with repairs, such as applying epoxy, caulk, and holding stones while they steady them in place. It does no good to just set them back up---they need to be done right, and then they don't fall over again so easily. This will take weeks to completely repair. Wimmer was not hit---but Auburn Cemetery is closely related to Wimmer families and needs our help. They need money, they are all but bankrupted. They have not a clue who did this, but I'm sure in time they will. It is a very ugly picture to look at all the damage. Infant stones, small tablets, broke at the ground. Large monuments---Benjamin Kessler's---pushed over and in many pieces. It was 8' tall. Newer head stones that weigh many hundred pounds pushed over. It is very sad. I have to work tomorrow and Friday--so I will only be able to help for an hour each night until dark. I will keep you posted as to what they need, but if you have time tomorrow to help---go and help. Write a check or what ever you can do. I hope to make a list of which stones are damaged and post them as I find their names, some are pushed over so you can't read the name, but I'll try to see what I can find out. On the news tonight they are offering $500.00 reward for the names of the vandals. You can call 438-3090 and add to the reward or find out where to send money for the repairs. Please help. Jan Gray, co-historian of Wimmer Cemetery.