One small step for St. John's, one giant step for cemetery-kind. Sue ----- Original Message ----- From: <Jb502000@aol.com> To: <INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, March 06, 2002 7:19 PM Subject: [INPCRP] St Johns Lutheran Cemetery (Compromize) > > I spent from 9:00 to 10:20 with The Trustee for Morgan Township, > Harrison Co. IN. and two Representatives of the Nature Preserve. It pertained > to the BURNING OFF of St Johns Cemetery. The Pictures Lois put on the List > showed Grass and WEEDS from 2 to 5 ft. high. And visitors could not go in > because of what we call "Stick Tites" They have been burning this cemetery > off since 1984 when the trustee handed it over to them, and they have been > MANAGING it since. I'm sure some of you must know I protested this after Wm. > Mahan contacted Lois about an E-mail he had received about the mess and the > burning. I went out within an Hour looked and took Pictures. I was Mad as > HELL. I kept sending out E-mail about the Cemetery. I made it quite plain I > did not like what they were doing. > After E-mailing Jeannie, she went higher and they put a Moratorium > on the Burning. They only had an Oral Agreement, but some times that is > legal. I also gave copies of my E. mail to The Trustee. He said he couldn't > do anything until he got something in writing from the DNR. I made it clear > this is the Burial Ground of my first ancestor to Indiana about 1810, and it > was wrong, because they couldn't prove no damage from the burning. I really > don't know from there what happened, but the Trustee called me Friday and > said the Nature Conservancy (DNR) wanted to meet he and I this morning at 9 > AM. I quickly agreed. Before I got there I told my wife, "We can never stop > the burning this easy. When we got there, I got out, walked over, introduced > my self. The trustee had already asked about keeping it mowed and they said > no. > We talked about the Condition i.e.; Crooked stone, broken, and > dark gray, First thing the Trustee asked if after the growing season about > Nov. 1st could he mow it then. They finally agreed The agreement was to mow > it 6 inches hi. then they would burn that. I asked how often. They finally > agreed on every 4 or 5 years.They asked if I would agree to the burning. I > turned around and looked and said" Like it is now, I said "Hell no" > absolutely not. But 6 inches, yes. Then the Trustee asked about mowing it in > about a week. so people could get in. They agreed to that. But first someone > has to find all fallen pieces of stone and move them. I agreed to Volunteer > to do that. > I have to photograph them, Measure from the nearest stone, mark with > orange Florescent Paint and a stake in the ground, and copy all information > before I move it, then replace them after the mowing. I asked about the > crooked stone, (Leaning) they have had no one who knew anything about doing > that. I agreed to Level some when I can using Pea Gravel with a little sand > to level with. They agreed to that (Naturally) The way it stands now it will > be mowed in a week down to 6 inches, no burning now. Then Mow it around the > 1st. of November. This would give access to visitors from Nov. 1 until > probably mid may before it gets a little high. Before you couldn't enter > anytime because of the WEEDS and "Stick Tites". The Trustee will give me a > cover Letter to work for him on anything I do. > OKAY, I never won, but I honestly believe I did the best I could > at this time. Burning 6 inch hi Grass is different then 3 to 5 Feet high > grass, and only that every 4 to 5 years. Also, The BIG WOODEN SIGN IS COMING > DOWN and a small white one made up with St Johns Lutheran Cemetery mentioned > on it just like the Photograph someone put on the List. The local Lutheran > church Minister had them take Lutheran off the Large wooden sign. It goes > back on this one with the date the Church was formed in 1847. I know what you > all think, this was a very small victory. But what would it have been if I > had of kept quiet. You be the judge !! I'm sure my Ancestor George Briles > would agree with me. Sorry this is so long, but there was more discussed than > this. this is a short version. I never talked much, the other 3 did ? > Thanks to all who finished this without going to sleep > Jack E. Briles Sr. > Po Box 444 > New Albany, Floyd Co. IN > (812) 282-6585 > > > ==== INPCRP Mailing List ==== > This list is for discussion of topics related to the Indiana Pioneer > Cemeteries Restoration Project only. > >