>I am forwarding this to keep you informed of the events of today at the House Hearings. I appoligize if you recieve it from another list. >Connie Brubaker > >>Resent-Date: Mon, 15 Feb 1999 20:43:21 -0800 (PST) >>From: "Lois Mauk" <lawofficeinformationsystem@worldnet.att.net> > >> >>This is a public apology from me to the House Committee on Agriculture, >>Natural Resources and Rural Development. I've forwarded a copy of this >>message to Committee Chairman Markt Lytle. >> >>I was WRONG and I'm deeply sorry for not having more faith in the men and >>women of the Committee. My "worst fears" were apparently unfounded and it >>looks like the House Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural >>Development is going to stand up and do the right thing. Hallelujah! >> >>I apologize for my outburst over the weekend. After I talked with an >>attorney a few days ago who had reviewed the existing laws and pending >>legislation, I felt so disappointed, distressed and dismayed because it >>looked like my deepest concern was justified and that the Legislature was >>going to continue the practice of exempting anyone involved in any form of >>agriculture from any proposed regulation. Apparently our prayers, pleas and >>petitions were heard by the members of the Committee. >> >>The exclusionary language I was so concerned and worried about has been >>STRICKEN from the bill. That is, the language which excluded anyone >>involved in any form of agriculture from the requirements of the proposed >>language included in Rep. Markt Lytle's House Bill 1522. Rep. Lytle said >>tonight that the decision to strike this language was discussed at last >>Monday's hearing, but I don't recall hearing that. Doesn't mean it wasn't >>said; just means I didn't hear it. >> >>I'm now convinced that Rep. Lytle and the Committee are well-meaning and >>good-intentioned. I believe they sincerely want to straighten out this >>situation and put an end to cemetery abuse, neglect and destruction in >>Indiana. The problem is not going to be completely solved today or even >>this year, but we're on the verge of making serious headway. >> >>As for my report on the hearings on Monday, 2/15/99: >> >>I haven't had a chance to review my notes but here's what I recall off the >>top of my head from tonight's hearing. (Sorry. It's late, I'm tired and >>I'm too lazy to go down to my car to get my files.) >> >>A good number of lobbyists appeared, primarily the ones who didn't have an >>opportunity to speak last Monday because of the lateness of the hour. >> >>The homebuilders association spokesman asked for some assurance that, if a >>cemetery were discovered on a construction site it would not necessarily >>halt construction on the entire site but only in the immediate area of the >>burial place. I didn't hear any final resolution on this query so I can't >>say what they will or will not do on that topic. >> >>A spokesman for the Township Trustees spoke in objection to Rep. Cleo >>Duncan's bill to take the care of cemeteries out of the hands of the >>Township Trustees and put it into the hands of the County Cemetery >>Commissions. I'm sure there's more to it than meets the eye, but it looked >>to me like that bill may have "died in Committee". I think the bottom line >>was that Rep. Duncan's concern was that -- regardless of who does it -- the >>cemeteries must be properly cared for. Personally, I don't care WHO does >>it, as long as it gets DONE! I hope the Trustees now realize how deeply the >>public cares about this subject and if we can work WITH the Trustees on >>cemetery restoration projects, then more power to them. >> >>As I understand the process, all of the "good stuff" from all the other >>house bills will get rolled into Rep. Lytle's bill (HB 1522), including the >>language from HB 1588 (a mirror of SB 280) regarding the process and >>procedure for moving graves. >> >>The Committee adopted my suggestion that the party moving a grave or >>cemetery be required to tender photographs of the grave markers AND the site >>along with their report filed with the County Recorder. My concern is >>two-fold: (1) a lot of the markers I've seen (especially the sandstone >>ones) aren't going to survive a move and (2) I worry about the accuracy of >>the notetaker in interpreting stone markings. (How many of you have >>abstracted a stone and, when you went back a second time, couldn't believe >>how far off you were? Especially with those pesky 1s and 4s!) >> >>I forgot to suggest to the Committee the need for including a plat of the >>cemetery site with the report filed by the moving party with the County >>Recorder or to require that a copy of that report be given to the public >>library in the county seat. The latter would be a terrific boon to public >>access to these records as so many of us can't get to the courthouse because >>we're working when the courthouse is open. The library, on the other hand, >>is usually open most evenings and weekends. >> >>I'm sure the revised bill will be posted on the Internet in the next day or >>so. I'll let you know as soon as I find it on-line. >> >>The Committee is going to establish a Summer Study Program on this issue >>and, as I understand it, members of the Committee will travel around the >>state, soliciting comments and ideas from the public on the subject of >>cemetery preservation. I'll keep you posted on that as the plans >>materialize. >> >>The battle is not won yet. The amended bill adopted by the Committee must >>now get past the vote of the House of Representatives and then be referred >>to the Senate. There's a lot more to be done, but I feel VERY optimistic >>about the process -- much more so than I did a few days ago. >> >>Finally, the bill to create a cemetery preservation license plate was passed >>by the Committee. That has some exciting potential, though I doubt it will >>generate truly enormous sums of money. There are just so many such plates >>available that the potential market is somewhat diluted. I will, however, >>be among the first in line to buy one. >> >>Rep. Lytle did express his wish that anyone with constructive suggestions >>get in touch with him. He seems absolutely sincere in his desire to do >>something to correct this situation, though he does not wish to act in >>haste. I think the passage of HB 1522 will go a long way as a first measure >>to protect our pioneer cemeteries -- including the long-neglected ones on >>private property. >> >>Rep. Lytle's amendment of HB 1522 is going to include pioneering legislation >>making it illegal to steal or traffic in stolen cemetery art, statutary, >>headstones, monuments, etc. Though this has not been a big problem in >>Indiana, it has been a increasing problem in other states. If the bill >>passes and becomes law, the courts will have some meaningful legislation >>with which to prosecute the thiefs and the sellers. >> >>One really exciting (and surprising) development was Rep. Lytle's idea to >>mandate that all cemetery monuments created after 1-1-2000 must have >>engravings indicating the name of the cemetery in which they are to be >>placed. His thinking (which I commend as innovative) is that, in the >>future, if those stones are stolen, they will have permanent markings >>indicating from what cemetery they were taken. This would alleviate the >>future problem of trying to determine where a stolen stone was taken from. >>As modern stones become more ornate and more desirable by cemetery thiefs, >>this could be a big help in finding the "home" for these stones when they >>are recovered. >> >>No small measure of the credit for the success of our efforts goes to Bill >>Shaw, the Indianapolis Star-News writer who has done so much for spreading >>the word among the Legislature, the government and the public. Bill was at >>the Capitol again this afternoon, but had to leave before the session began. >>If you haven't already done so, take a minute to drop a note to the Star to >>thank them for publishing Bill's stories and to Bill for writing them. >> >>I got the impression that the Committee did not realize how easy it was for >>those folks in Dubois County to get a permit from the Health Department to >>perform a do-it-yourself-with-a-backhoe exhumation so they could build their >>house on that little hill. The name of Federal Judge Hugh Dillin (a >>descendant of the people buried in that cemetery) was mentioned SEVERAL >>times. A friend of the Judge who happens to be a former State >>Representative spoke quiet eloquently about the level of outrage among the >>descendants that this ever happened. I hope the Committee got the full >>impact of his statement that the property owners got a permit to move THREE >>graves when, in fact, there were more than 60 graves there, mostly unmarked, >>and that, until the Trustee law was changed a year or so ago, the Township >>Trustee was tending to that cemetery despite the fact that it was on private >>property. Of course, after that change went into effect, the Trustee could >>no longer care for the site and it was shortly thereafter "moved". >> >>Again, I apologize for blowing my top last weekend. I spoke in despair and >>in haste. It appears that it was not necessary as the powers that be (in >>this case the Committee) had already realized that continuing the exclusion >>of agricultural purposes from this bill was not in the best interest of >>protecting these sites. Now, I just hope and pray that the Committee will >>be successful in convincing the rest of the House and then the Senate to see >>it this way. >> >>I think everyone came away from the meeting with renewed faith and trust in >>the "system" and with renewed expectations for what we CAN accomplish. It >>ain't over, but the possibilities are certainly exciting for all of us. >> >>Good night. >> >>Lois >> >> >> >>==== INPCRP Mailing List ==== >>If you know of some good cemetery related links, send them to LoisMauk@usa.net. >> >> >> >

Does anyone know how I can post a biography on the Grant County Biographies page? I would like to add my great grandfather who was a resident of Grant County from 1860 until his death in 1903. Thanks Charlotte Lucas

John JACKSON and his wife Bethena REAGAN were living in Miami Cty, OH in 1807 when their 7th and last child, William R. was born. He later reported that his parents were from SC and of English heritage. In 1812, the family moved to KY and after a short stay returned to Warren Cty, OH and then on to Clinton Cty, OH. William R. JACKSON married Delilah LUCAS in OH and their first 6 children were born there. They settled in Grant Cty, IN between 1840/43 and the information we have about him is from a Grant County history of 1886. Their children were Hester b 1829; Ted [Joel] b 1831; John M. b 1833, m Margaret BOND; Rhoda Jane b 1834, m Jesse CRANSTON; Francis M. b 1837, m Margaret COCHRAN; Nancy Ann b 1840, m William Shaw JOHNSON; William H b 1843, d 1857; Sarah A. b 1846, m George W. FORT; Martha Ellen b 1850, m Elmer Hyatt TROWBRIDGE. I'm descended from Nancy Ann and I've located someone descended from Rhoda Jane and we're working together but cannot get anything further back than what I have here. Seeking other descendants and general information. Gretchen Kohl [Alameda,CA] - GKohlFamly@aol.com

Hi Everyone, I was wondering if you had more information on Mahlon Neal's family other than what appears in the Grant County History. Mahlon was a brother to my second great grandfather, Henry Neal. Mahlon married Henry's wife sister, Rachel Duncan. Their children were William (who helped write the history of Grant County), Margaret, Eli, James, Lydia and Caleb. Of course, William is in the history book as well as Eli. Their children are mentioned as well as Eli's grandchildren. There's nothing about William's grandchildren nor his other siblings, Margaret, James, Lydia or Caleb. The family first appeared at the Missisesnewa Monthly Meeting in Grant County. I would appreciate any input. Where did the descendants go or did they stay Grant County. ` Thank you. I'll be looking forward to hearing from you. Doris Louise Neal, A Hoosier

The following was posted on the Grant County Indiana mailing list. What can those of us who live outsisde the state of Indiana do to help preserve the cemeteries? Charlotte Lucas - Outraged in Oklahoma Connie Brubaker wrote: > > The following is a letter in regards to legistation now in front of the > State about the preservation of Pioneer Cemeteries in Indian. Please > read!!!!! We must take this to the end!!!!!!! > Connie Brubaker > Wells Co IN > > Resent-Date: Fri, 12 Feb 1999 21:04:11 -0800 (PST) > >From: "Lois Mauk" <lawofficeinformationsystem@worldnet.att.net> > >Old-To: "INPCRP" <INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com> > >Date: Sat, 13 Feb 1999 00:13:02 -0500 > >X-MSMail-Priority: Normal > >X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V4.72.3110.3 > >Subject: [INPCRP-L] My Worst Fears Have Been Confirmed > >Resent-Message-ID: <"PvrirD.A.RBB.IfQx2"@bl-14.rootsweb.com> > >To: INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com > >Resent-From: INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com > >Reply-To: INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com > >X-Mailing-List: <INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com> archive/latest/592 > >X-Loop: INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com > >Precedence: list > >Resent-Sender: INPCRP-L-request@rootsweb.com > >X-UIDL: c6cb2eb6963f37d308fb78f8f714db9c > > > >I talked with someone this afternoon who confirmed my worst fears about the > >legislation pending before the 1999 General Assembly. It seems our esteemed > >Legislators think we are idiots! > > > >Admittedly, they are establishing some good standards for those situations > >where moving a grave or graves is the lesser of two evils -- allow the site > >to be abandoned, neglected, abused and obliterated OR move it. In such a > >situation, I can begrudingly accept the second option. Many of us are of > >the opinion that a grave should NEVER be moved, rather it should be > >preserved where it sits. Naturally that is ALWAYS preferable, without > >question, but I don't know if it is possible in this day and age. > > > >HOWEVER, something I have not said much about out loud is the fact that the > >proposed legislation (specifically the much-touted HB 1522 ["Cemetery > >preservation"]) STILL GIVES ANYONE INVOLVED IN ANY FORM OF AGRICULTURE OR > >SURFACE COAL MINING EXEMPTION FROM THESE REQUIREMENTS!!!! > > > >That was my impression based on my repeated readings of the statutes, but I > >did not trust my own judgment. Apparently I was correct. > > > >I want to know by what right the State deems it "appropriate" for ANYONE to > >plow, cultivate, pasture, graze or blacktop a cemetery. > > > >They are giving us a bunch of lipservice, telling us privately how outraged > >they are that these abominations are happening on a regular basis and, > >almost in the same breath, winking at the big-money farming and mining > >lobbies, as if to say, "We'll give them a little something and they'll shut > >up. Don't worry! You'll still have the RIGHT to destroy cemeteries if they > >are a nuisance for you." > > > >I distinctly remember, either at the Senate hearings on 1/27/99 or the > >abbreviated House hearing on 2/8/99, one of the bill sponsors standing at > >the podium rattling off the list of affected entities and saying something > >to the effect of, "I can't imagine any individual or entity not covered > >under this bill." > > > >Quote from HB 1522: > > "SECTION 2. IC 35-43-1-2.1 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA > > CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS > > [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 1999]: Sec. 2.1. (a) This section > > does not apply to a person who acts in a proper and > > acceptable manner as authorized by IC 14-21 or IC 23-14." > > > >The same exemption is in HB 1588 (the mirror of SB 280). > > > >Indiana Code 14-21 is the DIVISION OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND ARCHEOLOGY > >statute. It states at Chapter 1, Sec. 24. (a): > > > > (a) As used in this section, "agricultural purpose" includes > > farming, dairying, pasturage, agriculture, horticulture, > > floriculture, viticulture, ornamental horticulture, > > olericulture, pomiculture, animal husbandry, and poultry > > husbandry. > > > > NOTE FROM LOIS: "Pasturage" is using land to graze > > horses, cows, etc. "Horticulture" is the cultivation of > > gardens or orchards. "Floriculture" is the cultivation of > > flowering plants. "Viticulture" is the cultivation of the > > vine; grape growing. "Olericulture" is the cultivation of > > vegetables and herbs. "Pomiculture" is the cultivation > > of fruit. > > > > (b) Sections 25, 26, 28, and 29 of this chapter do not apply > > to the following: > > (1) Surface coal mining regulated under IC 14-34. > > (2) Cemeteries and human remains subject to IC 23-14. > > (3) Disturbing the earth for an agricultural purpose. > > (4) Collecting any object other than human remains that > > is visible in whole or in part on the surface of the ground, > > regardless of the time the object was made or shaped. > > > >As I read this, it means that if I am involved in any form of agriculture or > >surface coal mining and I have a piece of property in the State of Indiana > >with a cemetery on it, I have the "RIGHT" as a property owner to destroy all > >visible evidence of said burial site through either active or passive means. > > > >By "active", I mean bulldozing it, plowing it, etc. By "passive", I mean > >running cattle, horses or pigs in it; turning it into a feed lot or pig sty. > >By either means, the all evidence of the cemetery is quickly and > >irretrievably destroyed. The impediment to development (meaning the > >graveyard) is then "gone" and the property is now "ripe for development". > >Viola! > > > >Think through this scenario: > > > >I own a piece of property. There is an old cemetery on it. I plant a > >philodendron in the middle of the cemetery and call it "ornamental > >horticulture" or I bury a grape and call it a vineyard or I turn cattle lose > >in it and call it pasturage. By the clear and simple language of the > >existing statute AS WELL AS the proposed legislation, the cemetery is > >DESTROYED. > > > >But, as 8-year-old Ashley explained to us, "It's okay. The property owner > >was paying taxes on the property." > > > >GIVE ME A BREAK! Just how stupid do they think we are?! > > > >Then, let us consider the exemption from HB 1522 by the reference to IC > >23-14. That is the "Cemetery statutes", which includes the "Care of > >Cemeteries by Townships" and "Care of Cemeteries by Counties" provisions. > > > >(A) In its last session, the General Assembly added the infamous sentence > >to IC 23-14-68 ("Care of Cemeteries by Township"): > > > > "This chapter does not apply to a cemetery located on > > land on which property taxes are assessed and paid > > under IC 6-1.1-4." > > > >Translation: The Township Trustee cannot lift a FINGER or spend a DIME if > >the cemetery is on PRIVATE PROPERTY. > > > >(B) The County Cemeteries Commissions are, by and large, a huge JOKE on > >the citizens of Indiana. I admit there are a FEW notable exceptions, but > >you can count those on the fingers on one hand! We have 92 counties. The > >rest of the counties either do not HAVE County Cemetery Commissions or the > >County Councils have flatly refused to fund them. (I do not mean to > >belittle the efforts of ANY of the County Cemetery Commissions. My point > >simply is that the Counties, > >by and large, refuse to FUND them. Again, they created the statute to > >appease the public, but the statute carries no weight.) > > > >I just called my boss and told him, "I'm sorry, Bill. I know I've missed > >two days of work in the last three weeks on this thing, but I have no > >choice. I HAVE TO GO BACK TO INDIANAPOLIS AGAIN ON MONDAY!" > > > >I'm sorry, but I am just LIVID about this. I thought for sure that I just > >misunderstood this language. I thought for sure we could trust the > >Legislators when they talked to the press about what an abomination this > >situation had become. I thought for sure we could trust them when they > >reacted so favorably to little Ashley's speech. I guess I was wrong! > > > >I'll see you in Indianapolis at the State Capitol at 4:00 P.M. on Monday, > >February 15, at the House Chambers on the Third Floor. I'll be the one with > >steam coming out of her ears and fire out of her eyes. > > > >Lois > > > > > > > >==== INPCRP Mailing List ==== > >Quote from William Gladstone (1809-1897), three-time Prime Minister of England > >and Victorian contemporary of Benjamin Disraeli: > > "Show me the manner in which a nation or community > > cares for its dead and I will measure with mathematical > > exactness the tender mercies of its people, their > > respect for the laws of the land, and their loyalty > > to high ideals." > > > > > >

>Resent-Date: Fri, 12 Feb 1999 21:03:46 -0800 (PST) >From: "Lois Mauk" <lawofficeinformationsystem@worldnet.att.net> >Old-To: "INPCRP" <INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com>, > "John Ragle" <jlr@chemserv.chem.umass.edu> >Date: Fri, 12 Feb 1999 23:20:02 -0500 >X-MSMail-Priority: Normal >X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V4.72.3110.3 >Subject: [INPCRP-L] Re: Hearings on Cemetery Bills >Resent-Message-ID: <"5QlrqD.A.g5.xeQx2"@bl-14.rootsweb.com> >To: INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com >Resent-From: INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com >Reply-To: INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com >X-Mailing-List: <INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com> archive/latest/591 >X-Loop: INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com >Precedence: list >Resent-Sender: INPCRP-L-request@rootsweb.com >X-UIDL: dc74195ccb58eaf861faa4ea8defa480 > >Dr. John Ragle has given me permission to post this message to the INPCRP >group. > >From: John Ragle <jlr@chemserv.chem.umass.edu> > > >I am not a member of the INPCRP group. You may, of course, forward this >letter. > >In this regard, I have been somewhat active on this matter previously. I >wrote a letter to the Indiana Governor's Office about a year ago, and also >responded to an article in the Indianapolis Star (?I am not sure this is the >right name) about an incident in which remains had been removed by some >forensic arm of the Indiana Government and a cemetery itself had been >blacktopped. > >As I indicated in my first note to you, my concern has been somewhat >heightened by personal experience. My 2nd greatgrandparents were among the >original settlers of Raglesville (Peter Ragle and Margaret Wadsworth Ragle) >when it was platted in 1835 by Ozias Crooke. Ragles of various flavors were >active in this area for many years. I visited the Raglesville cemetery once >in about 1965 and again in 1996. I was aghast at the changes which had >occured . . . willful destruction of headstones (including those of some of >my family), and general lack of maintenance. I phoned all over southern >Indiana trying to locate the actual holders of the deed to this property, >including Ron Beasley who is the local caretaker in Raglesville, and never >found anyone who would admit to ownership. > >Mr. Beasley has a plot plan of the old cemetery. My immediate family has a >family plot in the old section, and I was looking for permission to mount a >small stainless steel plaque or something similar, so that the identities of >these people would not be lost, as they surely will be in another few >decades. Members of my family were co-owners of the first general store, as >well as the first postmaster, and were also very active in bringing the >Methodist Church to the area. The original DePauw Chapel, later moved to >Burns City, was built on land donated by my greatgrandfather and his younger >brother. > >I don't have any photographs which show 'before and after.' All the photos >I have are of individual headstones, taken in 1996. Sorry. I asked Ron >Beasley what had happened to the 'tipped' monuments, and he said that he >just carried them out and piled them in back of the maintenance shed. > >Rather than making an issue of a particular cemetery, I would prefer to >laud the efforts of people like those at the Crane, who took the time to >collect and print listings of the 30-odd old cemeteries inside the >reservation. > >In this modern day, it would be a useful task for someone to walk into the >old cemeteries carrying a GPS receiver. A GPS receiver can pinpoint the >location to within 100 feet or so, for recording purposes. > >In poking around the Elnora/Odon/Raglesville area, we found several >grown-over cemeteries in which the markers are made from the local >limestone and are suffering the effects of acid rain. Although these are >not in danger of being plowed up or paved over, they too will vanish. > >The question is, "how to find and identify these crypto-cemeteries?" There >is no substitute for local involvement...we found that the locals, >especially the oldsters, were quite knowledgeable. But also, people who >have moved away may have knowledge of a family plot. For example, I know of >a Sims family plot in the Odon area which is deep in the woods and >inaccessible except by bushwhacking. The exact location is known to the >descendents of Starlin Sims, a 'country squire' of the Raglesville area in >the years just post-civil war. The counties nowadays have many people who >are formally involved in the general genealogy of the areas, through web >sites, etc. and these people are reachable through email and through the >list servers as well as their web sites. > >Although I reside in Masschusetts, I am concerned about Indiana's pioneer >cemeteries in general, and particularly about the old half of the cemetery >in Raglesville, just south of Odon, in which a number of my ancestors are >interred. Here the problem arises from the fact that the original community >has been displaced almost entirely by a Mennonite community, and they wish >to 'recycle' the old cemetery because they are running out of space. So, >while this is indirectly a result of farming pressure [not wanting to take >land out of service] it is more a matter of "who cares? these people's >descendents have long moved on." > >I believe it is generally 'indifference' rather than 'greed' which motivates >the destruction of pioneer cemeteries. In that case, responses to proposals >to destroy an old cemetery should be sought assiduously from those directly >concerned, with secondary support from state law. Such law could: > >(a) mandate a substantial effort be made to contact descendents, >(b) propose a concrete way to record the information and layout of the >cemetery, and >(c) mandate proper 'archiving' of headstones and remains in a dignified way. > >Such a law would have to carefully define 'substantial effort,' 'concrete >methods of recording,' and 'proper archiving.' > >I would personally be satisfied if the graves from the cemetery mentioned >above were recorded on a permanent plinth or historical marker at the site, >and if a high-quality photographic record of headstones were made, with >exact site description, and provided to concerned descendents and family >archivists. The plot of turf itself is not particularly an issue in my mind. > >I would comment further that amateur cemetery listings exist for many old >plots. Some of these are of excellent quality, e.g. those provided by the >Crane Naval Weapons Depot in Burns City. Others are of poorer quality, taken >by boy scouts or by individuals and held as typewritten sheets in local >libraries. Some considerable field work remains to be done. I know from >personal experience that the cemetery listings for Raglesville held in the >Carnegie Library in Washington, IN contain factual errors. > >The first stage in this project is, therefore, to locate and identify old >cemeteries and to walk the sites carefully and inventory them. The law >should mandate accomplishment of this task by imposing a freeze [with severe >penalties] on destruction of such sites for a reasonable time interval. Much >of this work already exists in various stages of completion, but all should >be reviewed. It should start from 'the grass roots' at the township level, >and funnel into the counties. > >I have a modest genealogy site for the Ragle family mounted at >http://jlragle.chem.umass.edu/index.htm >which includes the [unfinished] text of a family history, as well as a >hypertext family tree for about 4,000 family members. > >Dr. J. L. Ragle ><jlr@chemserv.chem.umass.edu> > > > >==== INPCRP Mailing List ==== >Quote from William Gladstone (1809-1897), three-time Prime Minister of England >and Victorian contemporary of Benjamin Disraeli: > "Show me the manner in which a nation or community > cares for its dead and I will measure with mathematical > exactness the tender mercies of its people, their > respect for the laws of the land, and their loyalty > to high ideals." > > >

The following is a letter in regards to legistation now in front of the State about the preservation of Pioneer Cemeteries in Indian. Please read!!!!! We must take this to the end!!!!!!! Connie Brubaker Wells Co IN Resent-Date: Fri, 12 Feb 1999 21:04:11 -0800 (PST) >From: "Lois Mauk" <lawofficeinformationsystem@worldnet.att.net> >Old-To: "INPCRP" <INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com> >Date: Sat, 13 Feb 1999 00:13:02 -0500 >X-MSMail-Priority: Normal >X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V4.72.3110.3 >Subject: [INPCRP-L] My Worst Fears Have Been Confirmed >Resent-Message-ID: <"PvrirD.A.RBB.IfQx2"@bl-14.rootsweb.com> >To: INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com >Resent-From: INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com >Reply-To: INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com >X-Mailing-List: <INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com> archive/latest/592 >X-Loop: INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com >Precedence: list >Resent-Sender: INPCRP-L-request@rootsweb.com >X-UIDL: c6cb2eb6963f37d308fb78f8f714db9c > >I talked with someone this afternoon who confirmed my worst fears about the >legislation pending before the 1999 General Assembly. It seems our esteemed >Legislators think we are idiots! > >Admittedly, they are establishing some good standards for those situations >where moving a grave or graves is the lesser of two evils -- allow the site >to be abandoned, neglected, abused and obliterated OR move it. In such a >situation, I can begrudingly accept the second option. Many of us are of >the opinion that a grave should NEVER be moved, rather it should be >preserved where it sits. Naturally that is ALWAYS preferable, without >question, but I don't know if it is possible in this day and age. > >HOWEVER, something I have not said much about out loud is the fact that the >proposed legislation (specifically the much-touted HB 1522 ["Cemetery >preservation"]) STILL GIVES ANYONE INVOLVED IN ANY FORM OF AGRICULTURE OR >SURFACE COAL MINING EXEMPTION FROM THESE REQUIREMENTS!!!! > >That was my impression based on my repeated readings of the statutes, but I >did not trust my own judgment. Apparently I was correct. > >I want to know by what right the State deems it "appropriate" for ANYONE to >plow, cultivate, pasture, graze or blacktop a cemetery. > >They are giving us a bunch of lipservice, telling us privately how outraged >they are that these abominations are happening on a regular basis and, >almost in the same breath, winking at the big-money farming and mining >lobbies, as if to say, "We'll give them a little something and they'll shut >up. Don't worry! You'll still have the RIGHT to destroy cemeteries if they >are a nuisance for you." > >I distinctly remember, either at the Senate hearings on 1/27/99 or the >abbreviated House hearing on 2/8/99, one of the bill sponsors standing at >the podium rattling off the list of affected entities and saying something >to the effect of, "I can't imagine any individual or entity not covered >under this bill." > >Quote from HB 1522: > "SECTION 2. IC 35-43-1-2.1 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA > CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS > [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 1999]: Sec. 2.1. (a) This section > does not apply to a person who acts in a proper and > acceptable manner as authorized by IC 14-21 or IC 23-14." > >The same exemption is in HB 1588 (the mirror of SB 280). > >Indiana Code 14-21 is the DIVISION OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND ARCHEOLOGY >statute. It states at Chapter 1, Sec. 24. (a): > > (a) As used in this section, "agricultural purpose" includes > farming, dairying, pasturage, agriculture, horticulture, > floriculture, viticulture, ornamental horticulture, > olericulture, pomiculture, animal husbandry, and poultry > husbandry. > > NOTE FROM LOIS: "Pasturage" is using land to graze > horses, cows, etc. "Horticulture" is the cultivation of > gardens or orchards. "Floriculture" is the cultivation of > flowering plants. "Viticulture" is the cultivation of the > vine; grape growing. "Olericulture" is the cultivation of > vegetables and herbs. "Pomiculture" is the cultivation > of fruit. > > (b) Sections 25, 26, 28, and 29 of this chapter do not apply > to the following: > (1) Surface coal mining regulated under IC 14-34. > (2) Cemeteries and human remains subject to IC 23-14. > (3) Disturbing the earth for an agricultural purpose. > (4) Collecting any object other than human remains that > is visible in whole or in part on the surface of the ground, > regardless of the time the object was made or shaped. > >As I read this, it means that if I am involved in any form of agriculture or >surface coal mining and I have a piece of property in the State of Indiana >with a cemetery on it, I have the "RIGHT" as a property owner to destroy all >visible evidence of said burial site through either active or passive means. > >By "active", I mean bulldozing it, plowing it, etc. By "passive", I mean >running cattle, horses or pigs in it; turning it into a feed lot or pig sty. >By either means, the all evidence of the cemetery is quickly and >irretrievably destroyed. The impediment to development (meaning the >graveyard) is then "gone" and the property is now "ripe for development". >Viola! > >Think through this scenario: > >I own a piece of property. There is an old cemetery on it. I plant a >philodendron in the middle of the cemetery and call it "ornamental >horticulture" or I bury a grape and call it a vineyard or I turn cattle lose >in it and call it pasturage. By the clear and simple language of the >existing statute AS WELL AS the proposed legislation, the cemetery is >DESTROYED. > >But, as 8-year-old Ashley explained to us, "It's okay. The property owner >was paying taxes on the property." > >GIVE ME A BREAK! Just how stupid do they think we are?! > >Then, let us consider the exemption from HB 1522 by the reference to IC >23-14. That is the "Cemetery statutes", which includes the "Care of >Cemeteries by Townships" and "Care of Cemeteries by Counties" provisions. > >(A) In its last session, the General Assembly added the infamous sentence >to IC 23-14-68 ("Care of Cemeteries by Township"): > > "This chapter does not apply to a cemetery located on > land on which property taxes are assessed and paid > under IC 6-1.1-4." > >Translation: The Township Trustee cannot lift a FINGER or spend a DIME if >the cemetery is on PRIVATE PROPERTY. > >(B) The County Cemeteries Commissions are, by and large, a huge JOKE on >the citizens of Indiana. I admit there are a FEW notable exceptions, but >you can count those on the fingers on one hand! We have 92 counties. The >rest of the counties either do not HAVE County Cemetery Commissions or the >County Councils have flatly refused to fund them. (I do not mean to >belittle the efforts of ANY of the County Cemetery Commissions. My point >simply is that the Counties, >by and large, refuse to FUND them. Again, they created the statute to >appease the public, but the statute carries no weight.) > >I just called my boss and told him, "I'm sorry, Bill. I know I've missed >two days of work in the last three weeks on this thing, but I have no >choice. I HAVE TO GO BACK TO INDIANAPOLIS AGAIN ON MONDAY!" > >I'm sorry, but I am just LIVID about this. I thought for sure that I just >misunderstood this language. I thought for sure we could trust the >Legislators when they talked to the press about what an abomination this >situation had become. I thought for sure we could trust them when they >reacted so favorably to little Ashley's speech. I guess I was wrong! > >I'll see you in Indianapolis at the State Capitol at 4:00 P.M. on Monday, >February 15, at the House Chambers on the Third Floor. I'll be the one with >steam coming out of her ears and fire out of her eyes. > >Lois > > > >==== INPCRP Mailing List ==== >Quote from William Gladstone (1809-1897), three-time Prime Minister of England >and Victorian contemporary of Benjamin Disraeli: > "Show me the manner in which a nation or community > cares for its dead and I will measure with mathematical > exactness the tender mercies of its people, their > respect for the laws of the land, and their loyalty > to high ideals." > > >

I am looking for information on a Mary E. McLain that was married to a James Gilliand (Gilland, Gilliland, or Gilleland). They were married in 1875 in Grant County. I would appreciate any help anybody can give me. Thanks in advance. Linda

I want to thank everybody who answer my question about the census records. Linda

Hello, Does anybody know if the Marion Public Library has census records. Thanks in advance. Linda

I am looking for any information about Melissa LaForge and Alice R. LaForge. They were the daughters of William LaForge and Mary Pence Long. Melissa married Elijah Williams on 16 Nov 1880 Alice married Ebenezer Williams on 22 Feb 1882 and in 1899 she married Joseph Dilkes. These marriages took place in Grant County. I have not been able to find either of them on the 1900 census. Any information, no matter how little, will be greatly appreciated. Charlotte Lucas

Hello, I am looking for information on Robert McCormick, b. July 5, 1779 Pennsylvania - d. Aug. 9, 1836 Grant Co, Indiana. Married cousin Anne McCormick, b. Sept. 6, 1787 Bedford Co, Pennsylvania - d; Jan. 23, 1880 Grant Co, Indiana. Anne was the daughter of John Sr.& Catherine Drennan McCormick, i am trying to find out who Roberts parents were, mainly his father's name and if he was a brother to John McCormick, Sr. I have ran across several different bio's on Robert but none that mention names of his parents or siblings. Is anybody else reseaching this family? Thank you, Kelly Runyon Bragg (Born and raised in Grant Co) Reseaching...Runyon, Goodpasture, Losh, Brotherton, Kirkwood, McCormick, Carmichael, Drennan, Drennen, Reno, Kiger, Thompson, Davis, Hammond

Seeking information about a Andrew Simpson who was living in Marion, Grant Co, In when his sister, Ellen Simpson Garrett died in 1915. Any info not too small.

John Wood lived in Marion and Frankin(last 20+years).Married to Emily Rowland. Children - at least five, not sure of a male child living past 1872. Also, George Wood b.1832 and possibly Ephraim Wood b.1823 lived in either of the towns from 1860 to 1880-90. Please let me know if you have info on Wood families or Rowland family (Emily's parents). Thanks

I am looking for information on my GG-grandparents James Gilland & Evaline McClain. I really don't know anything about expect two of children names. Othe Gilland and John Thomas (Tom) Gilland. I do know that they living in Grant County in Othe was born in 1875. I would appreciate any help anybody can give me. Thanks in advance. Linda

Hell-o; I am new to the Grant Co. research community and am hoping to connect with others who are researching REED. I am especially looking for the children of William Reed who still live in Indiana. William Reed was born in Knobel, AR, moved to Marion in 1918 and worked for the Nickle Plate Railroad for 50 years. He resided at 2116 S. Washington St. at the time of his death, 13 Feb. 1968. Does anyone know of this family? Thank you...Judy

Hi! I am looking for a glassworker by the name of Bert GRAHAM who worked at the BALL glass works in Muncie. He was born in 1874. Very little is known about him. Does this sound familiar to anyone? If so, please contact me. Regine bbrindle@netusa1.net

I am researching the Shanahan and Banister families who spread from Wabash County in Grant and other counties. Some specific names are James SHANAHAN, Ellen Shanahan BARTON, Mary S. COVER, Ellen Shanahan PENCE, Bridget Shanahan PENCE, Sara Shanahan BUROKER, Anna Banister WAY, Ella Banister MCCARTER, and Rose Banister _____. I have much information I will share. Kathleen Banister Bryant

As owner of this list, I felt it was appropriate to post here. The problems we have with our cemeteries should be heard by all. Sheila D. Watson -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hello. My name is Lois Mauk <LoisMauk@usa.net>. I am the State Coordinator of the Indiana Pioneer Cemeteries Restoration Project (the "INPCRP"). You can visit our website at: http://www.rootsweb.com/~inpcrp The INPCRP is a network of people concerned and worried about the condition of thousands of abandoned, neglected, desecrated and/or obliterated pioneer cemeteries in the Hoosier State. We have been working diligently for almost two years to draw attention to the plight of these neglected sites and, at least partly as a result of our efforts, the Indiana General Assembly is presently considering at least a half-dozen bills to address the crisis. (The bills of which we are presently aware are summarized on the above website.) To date we have collected more than FIVE HUNDRED signatures (including a couple of dozen from outside the state) on petitions urging the General Assembly to address the fact that Indiana law does little or nothing to protect pioneer family cemeteries -- especially the ones on private property -- and, in fact, grants carte blanche authority for the DESTRUCTION of pioneer cemeteries to those involved in agriculture or strip mining. (We are still collecting petition signatures, if any of you are interested in participating. The form is available on the INPCRP website.) One of the other things we are trying to do is to establish a "HALL OF SHAME" listing one or more abandoned, neglected cemeteries in each of Indiana's 92 counties. The list presently consists of some SIXTY such sites. We know full well there are many, many more and would like to include at least one nomination from each of Indiana's 92 counties so we can present this list to the General Assembly if we are permitted to appear there in a couple of weeks to testify on these pending bills. At the moment, we have numerous counties for which no sites have been nominated to the "Hall of Shame". We would like to ask the members of your group to let us know the: Name, County Township and Condition of any abandoned, neglected or abused cemetery sites of which they are personally aware in Indiana. Scanned pictures can also be submitted in JPG or GIF images and forwarded to: LoisMauk@usa.net BTW, the INPCRP has an e-mail discussion group on Rootsweb. Anyone who would like to get involved can join by sending a one-word message consisting of SUBSCRIBE to INPCRP-L-REQUEST@rootsweb.com. Most of your questions can be answered by reviewing the INPCRP website. If, however, you have other questions, please feel free to ask. Thank you for your time. And thank you for caring about Indiana's endangered pioneer family cemeteries. Lois Mauk - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Have you signed an Indiana Pioneer Cemetery Restoration Project PETITION TO THE INDIANA LEGISLATURE calling for revision of current state laws regarding protection and maintenance of pioneer cemeteries? See http://www.rootsweb.com/~inpcrp - - - - - -

I am looking for anything, anyone can tell me about Edward and Emily Jones. Emily's surname was LaForge. Edward and Emily were married abt 1854 in Indiana. The were in Sims Twp on the 1860 census. As of now I have only found three of their children: Nancy, Mary E. and Priscilla. Nancy and Priscilla died as children and are buried in the Thrailkill Cemetery - Sect. A. I have not been able to find any reference of this family after the 1860 census, with the exception of the cemetery record of Priscilla who died in 1861. Any information, no matter how little, will be gratefully appreciated. Charlotte Lucas