Rich: I cannot believe you would be in favor of destroying living, thriving, prairie grasses only because of some little adverse affects of letting this cemetery become a 'shrine' to weeds rather than to the humans who once resided in Wayne Township. We are all very much aware of how well the Indiana Department of Natural Resources takes care of their cemeteries. I recall driving by the Rogersville Cemetery in Henry County in which so many beautiful grasses and native flowers were in bloom and were actually protecting the pioneer grave markers from the wear and tear of the elements. How much more thoughtful can the State of Indiana be??? I mean, after all, these grasses are ALIVE and the people buried there are DEAD! Come on Rich, no state agency has any more regard for our pioneer dead than the DNR. I cannot believe they would allow human remains to be scattered throughout the ground. After all, this is the same state agency that was so protective of some early Marion County pioneers a few years ago that they stored their remains in their DNR offices for months, maybe years, so that they would be safe. They even had their own cardboard bankers' boxes! How much more respect can you get than that? There must be some mis-understanding on your part. I'm sure a call to your local Conservation officer would take care of this little issue in no time. Heck, maybe someone from the DNR read your message and is starting an investigation into who would have allowed such a situation to get out of hand. (I'll bet it was those stiffs over at IDEM!!!) But irregardless, to insinuate that the DNR could have any part of such an atrocity.....Really! I'm sure we'll get to the bottom of this matter soon. I can't imagine it taking more than one phone call or email to rectify this and see that the Granville Cemetery is once again in tip top shape! Kyle D. Conrad PS.. I wouldn't make it a point to be around when they actually light those 'controlled' burns. Our local DNR had one at the Lasalle Preserve a few years ago and they lost a tool shed and three or four tractors... It's all in the definition of 'controlled'...

Rich, We had the very same problem here in Henry County, but after meeting with the Land Trust people and the Red Tail group and bringing up our concerns over the conditions of the pioneer cemeteries a couple of years ago. When we had the hearings at the State House that was one of our main concerns. It was discussed with the state representatives and the preservation groups. Here is that very report from that hearing. --- **(July, 2003.....The DNR was present, Jeannie was there to answer questions if needed. Which she did. The DNR prairie grass guy (sorry I don't have a name. I am horrible when it comes to names) stated that the prairie grasses in cemeteries are left as a tribute to the pioneers. That little of our prairie grasses are left, due to farming/development, and are mostly found in cemeteries and railroad right-of-ways. That controlled burning goes through fast and does not harm the stones. And after the burning, the headstones are cold to the touch.They were aware of the St. Johns Cemetery and have worked out a solution (which Jack stated in previous e-mail). I believe it was Sen. Rethlake asked the DNR prairie grass specialist if the prairie grass could be transplanted. He answered yes. And that the seed pods could be saved to plant them in other areas. But stated that the 15 cemeteries that contain the prairie grasses were the only ones left undisturbed. He spoke with me after the meeting and said he understood our feelings (and was sincere) about the prairie grass in the cemeteries. I told him that I understood his position as well. That we are both trying to preserve history.) (Angela, HCCC) See the following cemeteries at these links: http://www.hcgs.net/rogerscem.html & http://www.hcgs.net/bundy.html Over the last couple of years since July 2003 we have quit calling each other names and such and have finally started working together. We have accomplished many things with these two cemeteries since that meeting in Indy. They have been cleaned, all grass cut, trashy, rank vegetation removed and all trees trimmed and well maintained now. So don't give up, it takes a little patience and cooperation from both parties. I know... it worked for us. Good luck, **Full report at http://www.hcgs.net/hccc/committeemeeting.html UEB HCCC WWW.HCGS.NET ----- Original Message ----- From: "Rich Green" <rgreen@insightbb.com> To: <INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, April 05, 2006 7:57 PM Subject: [INPCRP] Granville Cemetery, Wayne Township, Tippecanoe County > Hello the list: > > I thought I'd seen some pretty bad cemeteries, but the Granville Cemetery, > Wayne Township, Tippecanoe County has definitely made the hit parade! This > has to be one of the most appalling I've seen particularly since its > destruction has essentially been on purpose. > > This is one of those lasting experiments from the 1960's intended to save > native prairie grasses by permitting and enabling them to flourish in > abandoned 19th century pioneer cemeteries. Part of the process involves > occasional burning, and the grasses were burned this Spring. I recall > this topic having been debated on the list, perhaps several years ago, and > the main focus then was on the potential destructive effects of multiple > episodes of extreme heating of monuments. This aside, what I witnessed > today was a far worse secondary impact of this particular prairie grass > preserve. > > This year's burning revealed that the Granville cemetery is inundated with > woodchuck burrows, and it appears that they have certainly been here for a > while. The woodchuck is a digging machine and in this case the previously > excavated graves make their work somewhat less tasking. The burrows have > undermined many stones, toppling or canting larger monuments, leaving > coffin furniture and yes- human skeletal remains spread about the backdirt > piles. More than a dozen burrows were found, all of which are adversely > impacting the cemetery in one way or another. > > It is apparent that allowing the cemetery to overgrow with vegetation has > created a safe haven and natural habitat for the large tunneling critters. > This probably wasn't anticipated when the notion to save the prairie was > conceived; however, it is very apparent now and to continue this way will > most certainly destroy not only the monuments and other surface features > of this pioneer cemetery, but will also continue to permit the remains of > the good folks buried here to be disturbed in this manner. > > It is my understanding that Wayne township does not have responsibility > for this cemetery, but rather it has apparently been managed by Indiana > Department of Natural Resources since sometime before 1969. The native > prairie grasses now contain large quantities of non-native vegetation, in > particular thickets of multiflora rose that remain today after the March > burning. In my opinion, this "nature preserve" has been mismanaged at the > expense of perhaps as many as 200 hundred or more graves of Tippecanoe > County pioneers. > > A bit of irony from the monument on the Granville Cemetery site: > > "Granville Cemetery was once part of the great Wea Plains and still > contains many species of the original prairie vegetation. This is one of > the last remnants of the Indiana prairies that covered much of Tippecanoe > County. It is preserved and managed as a memorial to the Indians and > early settlers to whom these grasses were once familiar." > > Having said all of this, it is my sincere hope that this nature preserve > experiment gone awry will be abandoned and that funds will be made > available by the state of Indiana to assist in the restoration and ongoing > maintenance of this early cemetery. > > I will be adding some of the many photos I took today to my website, and > will post the address here when it is available. > > Best Regards, > > Rich Green > Historic Archaeological Research > 4338 Hadley Court > West Lafayette, IN 47906 > Office: (765) 464-8735 > Mobile: (765) 427-4082 > www.har-indy.com > > > ==== INPCRP Mailing List ==== > THIS IS A CEMETERY ----- > "Lives are commemorated - deaths are recorded - families > are reunited - memories are made tangible - and love is > undisguised. This is a cemetery. > "Communities accord respect, families bestow reverence, > historians seek information and our heritage is thereby enriched. > "Testimonies of devotion, pride and remembrance are carved > in stone to pay warm tribute to accomplishments and to the life - > not the death - of a loved one. The cemetery is homeland for family > memorials that are a sustaining source of comfort to the living. > "A cemetery is a history of people - a perpetual record of > yesterday and sanctuary of peace and quiet today. A cemetery > exists because every life is worth loving and remembering - always." > --Author unknown -- Seen at a monument dealer in West Union, IA > >

Hello the list: I thought I'd seen some pretty bad cemeteries, but the Granville Cemetery, Wayne Township, Tippecanoe County has definitely made the hit parade! This has to be one of the most appalling I've seen particularly since its destruction has essentially been on purpose. This is one of those lasting experiments from the 1960's intended to save native prairie grasses by permitting and enabling them to flourish in abandoned 19th century pioneer cemeteries. Part of the process involves occasional burning, and the grasses were burned this Spring. I recall this topic having been debated on the list, perhaps several years ago, and the main focus then was on the potential destructive effects of multiple episodes of extreme heating of monuments. This aside, what I witnessed today was a far worse secondary impact of this particular prairie grass preserve. This year's burning revealed that the Granville cemetery is inundated with woodchuck burrows, and it appears that they have certainly been here for a while. The woodchuck is a digging machine and in this case the previously excavated graves make their work somewhat less tasking. The burrows have undermined many stones, toppling or canting larger monuments, leaving coffin furniture and yes- human skeletal remains spread about the backdirt piles. More than a dozen burrows were found, all of which are adversely impacting the cemetery in one way or another. It is apparent that allowing the cemetery to overgrow with vegetation has created a safe haven and natural habitat for the large tunneling critters. This probably wasn't anticipated when the notion to save the prairie was conceived; however, it is very apparent now and to continue this way will most certainly destroy not only the monuments and other surface features of this pioneer cemetery, but will also continue to permit the remains of the good folks buried here to be disturbed in this manner. It is my understanding that Wayne township does not have responsibility for this cemetery, but rather it has apparently been managed by Indiana Department of Natural Resources since sometime before 1969. The native prairie grasses now contain large quantities of non-native vegetation, in particular thickets of multiflora rose that remain today after the March burning. In my opinion, this "nature preserve" has been mismanaged at the expense of perhaps as many as 200 hundred or more graves of Tippecanoe County pioneers. A bit of irony from the monument on the Granville Cemetery site: "Granville Cemetery was once part of the great Wea Plains and still contains many species of the original prairie vegetation. This is one of the last remnants of the Indiana prairies that covered much of Tippecanoe County. It is preserved and managed as a memorial to the Indians and early settlers to whom these grasses were once familiar." Having said all of this, it is my sincere hope that this nature preserve experiment gone awry will be abandoned and that funds will be made available by the state of Indiana to assist in the restoration and ongoing maintenance of this early cemetery. I will be adding some of the many photos I took today to my website, and will post the address here when it is available. Best Regards, Rich Green Historic Archaeological Research 4338 Hadley Court West Lafayette, IN 47906 Office: (765) 464-8735 Mobile: (765) 427-4082 www.har-indy.com

Good Job Jeff, March 2006 is just a mite late, but late or not IM glad something is finally being done. The cemetery is very deserving of the recognition. This shows what can be done when you persevere. I didn't buy the sidewalk bit at all, I had made a trip up to Marion Co. after we cleaned it and they were poured. Thanks for the heads up Jeff, Jack Briles jackbriles@aol.com

The same thing with Hatfield cemetery in Allen county. It's still an active cemetery with the first burial in 1836 and I believe the last one there was in 1988. I'm sure that there are quite a few of the pioneer cemeteries that are under township control that are still active but like Kyle said, the ones on private property could be a different story. Brian Smead Terre Haute, Indiana -----Original Message----- From: ejw13@ccrtc.com [mailto:ejw13@ccrtc.com] Sent: Saturday, April 01, 2006 9:16 AM To: INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [INPCRP] New burial in a Pioneer cemetery? HELLO GANG. WE HAVE A PIONEER CEMETERY HERE IN TIPTON COUNTY, SUMNER, THAT STILL HAS BURRIALS. IT IS UNDER THE TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE. I TALKED WITH ONE FAMILY THAT HER FATHER WAS BURIED THERE. SHE WAS TOLD BY THE TRUSTEE THAT IF THEY WERE POSITIVE NO ONE WAS BURIED IN THEIR SPOT THEY COULD BE BURIED THERE. THERE IS STILL PLENTY OF ROOM IN THIS CEMETERY. JOAN WRAY TIPTON, COUNTY ----- Original Message ----- From: <KidClerk@aol.com> To: <INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, April 01, 2006 5:29 AM Subject: Re: [INPCRP] New burial in a Pioneer cemetery? > > In a message dated 3/31/2006 11:53:35 P.M. Central Standard Time, > elasley@sigecom.net writes: > > But I am still having a problem with the 125 year thing. What about > the people that are buried there from the 75 years before the family > owned it? I had a farmer tell me once that he thought after a > cemetery had been abandoned for 100 years, he could remove the > stones. Is this a similar situation, where anything that was there > before the 125 year family ownership does not count? How do we > determine which of our cemetery laws apply, and in what different situations? > > > > You bring up some good points Ernie. But one thing for sure, if Mr. Wolfe's > remains are interred here, this is no longer an 'abandoned' cemetery. > Another question that can be raised is who is to say that the cemetery is full or > not available for new burials? If a township trustee owns a particular > cemetery and believes there is more burial space available, what's to keep him/her > from allowing more burials? Most that I know take the stance that there are > to be no additional burials in these old cemeteries, but I'm sure an issue > such as this comes up every so often when someone wants to be buried next to > their ancestors. If I understand you correctly, this is not a township > cemetery but is located on private land. I would guess different rules do apply > due to this....???? At some point, the funeral director would become involved > and would probably try to discourage certain burials in these cemeteries as > well. I see an awful lot of gray area here... > > Kyle > > > ==== INPCRP Mailing List ==== > This list is for discussion of topics related to the Indiana Pioneer > Cemeteries Restoration Project only. > Please do not send genealogical queries through this list. The surname and geographic Mailing Lists on Rootsweb at http://lists.rootsweb.com are a better venue. > Thank you. > > --- > --- > > > --- --- ==== INPCRP Mailing List ==== THIS IS A CEMETERY ----- "Lives are commemorated - deaths are recorded - families are reunited - memories are made tangible - and love is undisguised. This is a cemetery. "Communities accord respect, families bestow reverence, historians seek information and our heritage is thereby enriched. "Testimonies of devotion, pride and remembrance are carved in stone to pay warm tribute to accomplishments and to the life - not the death - of a loved one. The cemetery is homeland for family memorials that are a sustaining source of comfort to the living. "A cemetery is a history of people - a perpetual record of yesterday and sanctuary of peace and quiet today. A cemetery exists because every life is worth loving and remembering - always." --Author unknown -- Seen at a monument dealer in West Union, IA

HELLO GANG. WE HAVE A PIONEER CEMETERY HERE IN TIPTON COUNTY, SUMNER, THAT STILL HAS BURRIALS. IT IS UNDER THE TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE. I TALKED WITH ONE FAMILY THAT HER FATHER WAS BURIED THERE. SHE WAS TOLD BY THE TRUSTEE THAT IF THEY WERE POSITIVE NO ONE WAS BURIED IN THEIR SPOT THEY COULD BE BURIED THERE. THERE IS STILL PLENTY OF ROOM IN THIS CEMETERY. JOAN WRAY TIPTON, COUNTY ----- Original Message ----- From: <KidClerk@aol.com> To: <INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, April 01, 2006 5:29 AM Subject: Re: [INPCRP] New burial in a Pioneer cemetery? > > In a message dated 3/31/2006 11:53:35 P.M. Central Standard Time, > elasley@sigecom.net writes: > > But I am still having a problem with the 125 year thing. What about > the people that are buried there from the 75 years before the family > owned it? I had a farmer tell me once that he thought after a > cemetery had been abandoned for 100 years, he could remove the > stones. Is this a similar situation, where anything that was there > before the 125 year family ownership does not count? How do we > determine which of our cemetery laws apply, and in what different situations? > > > > You bring up some good points Ernie. But one thing for sure, if Mr. Wolfe's > remains are interred here, this is no longer an 'abandoned' cemetery. > Another question that can be raised is who is to say that the cemetery is full or > not available for new burials? If a township trustee owns a particular > cemetery and believes there is more burial space available, what's to keep him/her > from allowing more burials? Most that I know take the stance that there are > to be no additional burials in these old cemeteries, but I'm sure an issue > such as this comes up every so often when someone wants to be buried next to > their ancestors. If I understand you correctly, this is not a township > cemetery but is located on private land. I would guess different rules do apply > due to this....???? At some point, the funeral director would become involved > and would probably try to discourage certain burials in these cemeteries as > well. I see an awful lot of gray area here... > > Kyle > > > ==== INPCRP Mailing List ==== > This list is for discussion of topics related to the Indiana Pioneer > Cemeteries Restoration Project only. > Please do not send genealogical queries through this list. The surname and geographic Mailing Lists on Rootsweb at http://lists.rootsweb.com are a better venue. > Thank you. > > --- > --- > > > --- ---

In a message dated 3/31/2006 11:53:35 P.M. Central Standard Time, elasley@sigecom.net writes: But I am still having a problem with the 125 year thing. What about the people that are buried there from the 75 years before the family owned it? I had a farmer tell me once that he thought after a cemetery had been abandoned for 100 years, he could remove the stones. Is this a similar situation, where anything that was there before the 125 year family ownership does not count? How do we determine which of our cemetery laws apply, and in what different situations? You bring up some good points Ernie. But one thing for sure, if Mr. Wolfe's remains are interred here, this is no longer an 'abandoned' cemetery. Another question that can be raised is who is to say that the cemetery is full or not available for new burials? If a township trustee owns a particular cemetery and believes there is more burial space available, what's to keep him/her from allowing more burials? Most that I know take the stance that there are to be no additional burials in these old cemeteries, but I'm sure an issue such as this comes up every so often when someone wants to be buried next to their ancestors. If I understand you correctly, this is not a township cemetery but is located on private land. I would guess different rules do apply due to this....???? At some point, the funeral director would become involved and would probably try to discourage certain burials in these cemeteries as well. I see an awful lot of gray area here... Kyle

Dear Mr. Kempf,\ Please accept my apologies for not responding to you sooner. However, I've been doing some research regarding this issue. However, I hope the it was worth the wait because I good news! I spoke with Stephen Berrey just a few minutes ago. Stephen is the Marker Program Coordinator with the Indiana Historical Marker Program at the Indiana Historical Bureau. It appears that things are really moving along. The Indiana Historical Marker Program - Indiana Historical Bureau (IHB) received a completed application from Perry Township Trustee Jack Sandlin in March 2006. In addition, the Trustee's Office sent a check on March 14th to the IHB to cover the cost of the marker. On March 16th, the IHB sent a receipt to the Trustee's Office. The IHB now has all necessary information and everything is paid for. Currently, the IHB is designing the sign, which will then be sent to their sign manufacturer for production. Total time for sign design and production usually ranges from 6-8 months. So, right now, not much can be done except to wait -- but the hard part is done! Please feel free to contact me with any questions. Have a great weekend! All the best, Emily Emily C. Mack Mayor's Neighborhood Liaison Division of Neighborhood Services City of Indianapolis 2160 City County Building 200 E. Washington Street Indianapolis, IN 46204 (317) 327-5564 - phone (317) 327-4119 - fax _emack@indygov.org_ (mailto:emack@indygov.org) _www.indygov.org/myneighborhoood_ (http://www.indygov.org/myneighborhoood)

I tend to agree with you Kyle, and this may be a way having this cemetery cared for, at least while his family remains in the area. I contacted a friend familiar with the situation and you are correct that he will be cremated. That will lessen the severity of the problem. But I am still having a problem with the 125 year thing. What about the people that are buried there from the 75 years before the family owned it? I had a farmer tell me once that he thought after a cemetery had been abandoned for 100 years, he could remove the stones. Is this a similar situation, where anything that was there before the 125 year family ownership does not count? How do we determine which of our cemetery laws apply, and in what different situations? This is a situation that really may not be a problem at all and can be overlooked. But we have had other recent burials in old cemeteries in Gibson County, and sooner or later one will occur that will be more of a problem and will need to be prevented. How do we selectively apply the laws? Ernie At 08:24 PM 03/31/2006, you wrote: >While I fully understand the ramifications and problems a burial of this >type poses, I must admit that if my family had owned this land for >125 years and >my ancestors were buried on this land, I too would want to be buried with >them. > >There is one thing that the obit refers to that may answer some of the >concerns. First of all, burial is at a later date. This could >mean Mr.Wolfe is >going to be cremated, which does not pose as much as a threat as being >interred. The only concern here would be the foundation for >his grave stone. >Secondly, this could mean that the family intends to thoroughly research the >burials or take their time in choosing a burial location so as to >not disturb >anything. Who knows...maybe his parents or grandparents showed him >where it was >OK to be buried when they were still living or the family may have >had better >records than the township. > >Again, I understand the concern this scenario poses, but I also know that if >I had the chance, that is where I would choose to be buried... To me this >would be a tough call... > >Kyle D. Conrad

Greetings from northern Indiana Ernie and list. As I write this many of you are getting hammered with severe weather. Hope you all are safe. While I fully understand the ramifications and problems a burial of this type poses, I must admit that if my family had owned this land for 125 years and my ancestors were buried on this land, I too would want to be buried with them. There is one thing that the obit refers to that may answer some of the concerns. First of all, burial is at a later date. This could mean Mr.Wolfe is going to be cremated, which does not pose as much as a threat as being interred. The only concern here would be the foundation for his grave stone. Secondly, this could mean that the family intends to thoroughly research the burials or take their time in choosing a burial location so as to not disturb anything. Who knows...maybe his parents or grandparents showed him where it was OK to be buried when they were still living or the family may have had better records than the township. Again, I understand the concern this scenario poses, but I also know that if I had the chance, that is where I would choose to be buried... To me this would be a tough call... Kyle D. Conrad

You need to check the land records at your county recorder's office and see what you can find. There may be a description or exception in the land records. Have you checked the Federal Land Records site http://www.glorecords.blm.gov to see who the original land owner was and you can trace it down from there. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ernie & Connie Lasley" <elasley@sigecom.net> To: <INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, March 31, 2006 5:48 PM Subject: [INPCRP] New burial in a Pioneer cemetery? > Hello all, > > I have a problem that I just learned of here in Gibson County, and I > need a little help and guidance on what, if anything should be > done. I'll start from the beginning with a little background about > the cemetery. > > Hinkle Cemetery is located in the Northwest 1/4 of Military Donation > 70; Twp 1S; Range 10W in Washington Township, Gibson County IN. Of > the two hundred plus cemeteries in Gibson County, this is one that we > have very little data on, the farmer who owns the land would not > allow us access to collect information for our "Gibson County > Cemeteries" webpage located here: > > http://www.rootsweb.com/~ingibson/gibcem.html > > The cemetery is listed under "Washington Township" as "Hinkel". It > is an old Pioneer Cemetery that has existed at least 170 years, with > at least 20 burials dating back to the 1830's. A deed search for > the cemetery has never been completed, but an 1881 plat map shows the > landowner as Benjamin Hinkle. A 1900 plat map shows the owner as > Jos. Wolfe Sr. There is no known cemetery plat or map that shows > lots, and it is not in the WPA listings. It is not yet known if the > cemetery is mentioned in or excepted out of the land deeds for the > property. I am working on obtaining a burial listing from a > genealogist that visited the cemetery several years ago. > > The present landowner is a Wolfe Descendant, Maurice R. Wolfe. Mr. > Wolfe died Wednesday evening, and is to be buried "at the Wolfe > Cemetery located on the original 125-year-old home place" according > to his obituary: > > http://www.funeralplan.com/colvin/obits?id=64892 > > > So the big question is, can a person be buried in an old Pioneer Cemetery? > > Since his family has owned the land for 125 years, can he rename the > cemetery and declare it as his final resting place? > > There are existing laws that a cemetery must be platted and must have > a perpetual care fund before a person can be buried there? > > What about "disposal of a body" laws? > > Is the funeral home responsible for determining if the selected > burial place is legal and proper? > > Will digging a grave there violate the DNR and DHPA rule on needing a > permit to disturb the earth within 100 feet of a cemetery? > > Whose responsibility is it to enforce those laws? > > I am not sure how to proceed with this. Any thoughts, opinions and > guidance on this will be greatly appreciated. > > Thanks, > Ernie > > > > > ==== INPCRP Mailing List ==== > This list is for discussion of topics related to the Indiana Pioneer > Cemeteries Restoration Project only. > Please do not send genealogical queries through this list. The surname and geographic Mailing Lists on Rootsweb at http://lists.rootsweb.com are a better venue. > Thank you. > >

Hello all, I have a problem that I just learned of here in Gibson County, and I need a little help and guidance on what, if anything should be done. I'll start from the beginning with a little background about the cemetery. Hinkle Cemetery is located in the Northwest 1/4 of Military Donation 70; Twp 1S; Range 10W in Washington Township, Gibson County IN. Of the two hundred plus cemeteries in Gibson County, this is one that we have very little data on, the farmer who owns the land would not allow us access to collect information for our "Gibson County Cemeteries" webpage located here: http://www.rootsweb.com/~ingibson/gibcem.html The cemetery is listed under "Washington Township" as "Hinkel". It is an old Pioneer Cemetery that has existed at least 170 years, with at least 20 burials dating back to the 1830's. A deed search for the cemetery has never been completed, but an 1881 plat map shows the landowner as Benjamin Hinkle. A 1900 plat map shows the owner as Jos. Wolfe Sr. There is no known cemetery plat or map that shows lots, and it is not in the WPA listings. It is not yet known if the cemetery is mentioned in or excepted out of the land deeds for the property. I am working on obtaining a burial listing from a genealogist that visited the cemetery several years ago. The present landowner is a Wolfe Descendant, Maurice R. Wolfe. Mr. Wolfe died Wednesday evening, and is to be buried "at the Wolfe Cemetery located on the original 125-year-old home place" according to his obituary: http://www.funeralplan.com/colvin/obits?id=64892 So the big question is, can a person be buried in an old Pioneer Cemetery? Since his family has owned the land for 125 years, can he rename the cemetery and declare it as his final resting place? There are existing laws that a cemetery must be platted and must have a perpetual care fund before a person can be buried there? What about "disposal of a body" laws? Is the funeral home responsible for determining if the selected burial place is legal and proper? Will digging a grave there violate the DNR and DHPA rule on needing a permit to disturb the earth within 100 feet of a cemetery? Whose responsibility is it to enforce those laws? I am not sure how to proceed with this. Any thoughts, opinions and guidance on this will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Ernie

That is so true. There is no way of knowing how many we lost. We have hints of at least another 60 in our county that haven't been found. I did find one last week in the woods with the help of folks that were mushroom hunters in the neighborhood. They were wonderful and so appreciative that I was getting GPS on this cemetery. There was already a new house in this woods and they felt sure it was already destroyed. There were no tombstones, just a rock wall around this elevated area. Linda, I think Lois told us a few years ago that it takes 5 forms being filed to remove a cemetery. If someone wants it gone- there is a way. It happens in every county. L.A. ----- Original Message ----- From: <LindaKen2048@aol.com> To: <INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2006 1:53 PM Subject: Re: [INPCRP] Cemetery removal > We don't realize how much cemetery moving goes on. > > > ==== INPCRP Mailing List ==== > This list is for discussion of topics related to the Indiana Pioneer > Cemeteries Restoration Project only. >

Your funny, hehehe. All the best, Tom

We don't realize how much cemetery moving goes on.

I don't know about anyone else, but I sure wouldn't want the job of digging ANYWHERE within the Jefferson Proving Grounds! BOOM! Rich Green Historic Archaeological Research 4338 Hadley Court West Lafayette, IN 47906 Office: (765) 464-8735 Mobile: (765) 427-4082 www.har-indy.com ----- Original Message ----- From: pagharris@sbcglobal.net To: INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com Sent: Tuesday, March 21, 2006 9:08 PM Subject: [INPCRP] Cemetery removal Thought you might find this of interest. Madison, IN May 28, 1941, News-Dispatch, Michigan City, IN Begin Removal of 1,700 in Cemeteries The task of digging up 1,700 corpses, moving them and then burying them again, all in six weeks, is under way. The Jefferson County Re-Interment Assn. took up the job yesterday at the army's 60,000 acre Jefferson ordnance proving ground north of here. The association has a$106,425 contract to remove the bodies from seven cemeteries inside the area. ==== INPCRP Mailing List ==== This list is for discussion of topics related to the Indiana Pioneer Cemeteries Restoration Project only. Please do not send genealogical queries through this list. The surname and geographic Mailing Lists on Rootsweb at http://lists.rootsweb.com are a better venue. Thank you.

This kind of thing was normal procedure in the 1940's. Here's what I have found out about this area. It's under Monroe Township in Jefferson County, Indiana Genealogical Society Cemetery Project. The federal government took all the land west of US421 in this township for Jefferson Proving Grounds in 1940-41. Some 3,500 graves were moved to other locations by 7 July 1941. Most were moved to land just south of Fairmont Cemetery in Madison. Locations are given for the original cemetery in this township. Cemeteries that were moved to Jennings County are Bethel, Ronnie Heacock, and Otter Creek. Cemeteries that were moved to Ripley County are Boswell, Mitchell Brown, John Cole, Custer, Hallett, Hannah, Harrell, Jas. Harrell, Huelson-Grinstead, Little Arlington, Liberty Church, Mathews, Clara Matz, Meesberger, Ray, Rice, Robertson, Sheppard, Wilson, and Wilson-Shonk. It is not known if these cemeteries were originally in Jefferson, Jennings, or Ripley County. FAIRMONT S26 T4N R10E 38°45'27"N 85°23'04"W From SR56, go north on Michigan Road. Or, from SR62, go south on Michigan Road. This cemetery is east of Michigan Road and south of State Street. Many cemeteries were moved from Jefferson Proving Grounds to the area south of this cemetery and the water tower. Sharon Howell > Madison, IN May 28, 1941, News-Dispatch, Michigan City, IN > Begin Removal of 1,700 in Cemeteries > The task of digging up 1,700 corpses, moving them and then burying them > again, all in six weeks, is under way. > The Jefferson County Re-Interment Assn. took up the job yesterday at the > army's 60,000 acre Jefferson ordnance proving ground north of here. The > association has a$106,425 contract to remove the bodies from seven > cemeteries inside the area. > >

The town of Georgetown In. is in the process of getting approval for a package sewer plant on property containing a pioneer cemetery. What are the laws on diggig for this plant Is it not more than 100 feet>? Jack and I had talked to the owner and she had given us access. The town board say they are willing to protect but I dont feel they understand how far they need to stay away. Dave Riley

Hello Gang: The Tipton County Pioneer Cemetery Restoration group is gearing up and getting ready to start some time in April, weather permitting. I had asked last year if anyone out there would like to work with us. We usually work half-days about three times per week. We have to have time to keep up everything at home also. Someone responded to me and I lost all my noted in my cemetery folders on the computer when I had it in for repair.....so, If there is anyone out there who wants to help, please contact me at ejw13@ccrtc.com. Sorry, I lost the information, I didn't know they were going to take me back to square one and I lost a lot of information. Joan Wray Tipton County

My goodness. Dave, I know these laws are not easy to understand. The links are on the INPCRP main page under, (Indiana laws pertaining to cemeteries & Government) http://www.rootsweb.com/~inpcrp/Links_to_the_Indiana_laws.htm Do you have an Area Plan Commission in your county? You might want to check with the company and see if they have submitted a plan to the DNR office. DNR-Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology 402 W. Washington Street, W274 Indianapolis, Indiana 46204-2739 317-232-1646 317-232-0693 Fax dhpa@dnr.in.gov L.A. ----- Original Message ----- From: <nbdm@juno.com> To: <INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2006 6:44 AM Subject: [INPCRP] package sewer plant > The town of Georgetown In. is in the process of getting approval for a > package sewer plant on property containing a pioneer cemetery. What are > the laws on diggig for this plant Is it not more than 100 feet>? Jack and > I had talked to the owner and she had given us access. The town board say > they are willing to protect but I dont feel they understand how far they > need to stay away. Dave Riley > > > ==== 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." > >