Dear Mr.. Curtis, My concern is the stones which are damp or having drawn some moisture will have a tendency to crack and literally explode the stone....Have you ever seen this happen with limestone flag stones. I have and it ain't a pretty sight......why take a chance on destruction of the headstones of our Indiana Pioneers? John Roush -----Original Message----- From: Howell Curtis <hccu@voyager.net> To: INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com <INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Saturday, September 29, 2001 8:04 PM Subject: Re: [INPCRP] Cemetary Barren >Dear Ms. Silver, > >I see no evidence that the gravestones are being damaged by fire. In fact, >the fire may prevent the growth of lichens that can be an instrument of >degradation. >If the Church owns the land then why was the cemetery abandoned years ago? >If the IDNR hadn't instituted the annual burning program, the cemetery would >have been taken over by bushes and brambles long ago. >Another point I would like to make is just how was the cemetery taken care of >in the past, before the annual burning program was started. It couldn't have >been >very intensive or the prairie plants would have been killed out. Could it be >that our >forefathers knew something that most of the members of this forum don't? Maybe >they recognised it as the special place that it is and let nature take its >course. I don't >know but that is a possibility. >I would like to know how that someone who is dead can be punished? If you can > >explain that to me I would be glad to know. >The plants could be taken to another area, either by digging them up or >collecting >seed and then planting the seed, but it wouldn't be the same. These plants have >grown toghether in a symbiotic relationship in this plot of land for hundreds or >even thousands of years. They were here before the first settlers came and >probably before the Indians were here. It is highly unlikely that this symbiosis >could ever be duplicated. > >Respectfully, > >Howell Curtis > >Sue Silver wrote: > >> Mr. Curtis, >> >> With all due respect, if the DNR or whoever is performing this "project" >> does not own the property on which they have undertaken it, they should >> cease and desist. The burning off of the grasses and weeds will ultimately >> bring the destruction of the memorial monuments erected over those pioneers' >> graves by their loved ones. The monuments are also considered private >> property in most states. >> >> If Jack Briles is correct and the land title is in the Lutheran Church of >> that area, then the Church's private land rights have been violated, not to >> mention a possible constitutional violation of the doctrine of separation of >> church and state. >> >> While I would agree with you our nation has lost much to growth and progress >> over the past 200 years of it's expansionism, we must never lose sight of >> our precious freedoms that make this nation so great. The Church purchased >> or received the title to this ground and until that title is deemed to have >> failed or has been legally transferred, the state has stepped on the toes of >> it's freedom. >> >> I personally believe that by using a cemetery to undertake this project of >> conservation of the plant life you mention, those who claim it is being done >> as a memorial to the settlers and pioneers must be aware of the irony of >> such a memorialization. It was, after all, those same pioneer citizens who >> moved West with so many others and, through that movement, inadvertently >> caused the loss of the vegetation of which you speak. Sounds more like >> these dead pioneers are being punished for being participants in those >> losses. >> >> Better that some vacant land be found for this cause. I believe the dead >> and the monuments erected so they may always be remembered should be treated >> with the same respect as when their loved ones were still here to ensure >> that condition. >> >> Respectfully, >> >> Sue Silver >> California >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "Howell Curtis" <hccu@voyager.net> >> To: <INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com> >> Sent: Friday, September 28, 2001 9:30 AM >> Subject: [INPCRP] Cemetary Barren >> >> > The casual observer might think Cemetary Barren to be a mess, but to >> > one who studies plants it is a wonder to behold, a microcosm of a >> > grassland ecosystem that at one time comprised an estimated seventy >> > thousand acres in Harrison and Washington counties. Today there is >> > probably less than a hundred acres left of this prairie which supported >> > herds of bison, elk and deer as well as many species of small mammals >> > and birds. Cemetary Barren is the most diverse of the barren remnants >> > with well over one hundred species of native forbs and grasses. The >> > bison and elk are gone but this precious remnant should be preserved >> > for future generations. In my opinion it is a fitting memorial to the >> > early >> > settlers and to those who are buried there. >> > >> > Howell Curtis >> > >> > >> > ==== INPCRP Mailing List ==== >> > Blessed are the Elderly, for they remember what we will never know. >> > >> > >> >> ==== INPCRP Mailing List ==== >> Please do not send queries through this list. > > >==== 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."