There might as well not be any laws pertaining to cemeteries. I've got a similar situation in Daviess County, at Cincinnati Cemetery, that no one seems to care about, has been reported, and nothing done. Guess if I kill someone, sell drugs, steal cars, etc., I can simply say "I won't do it again", and they'll let me off. ----- Original Message ----- From: "jon andrews" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2004 7:33 PM Subject: [INPCRP] RE: Fw: Mariah Baptist Cemetery > So, I guess that's it! I'm sorry, but I promise not to do it again. > I just don't get it. In my world, you break the law and you go to jail. > Where is this going to go from here? > I would like to have a copy of the C.O.'s investigative report. If he did > any kind of investigation at all, he might have uncovered the fact that the > so-called "landowner" doesn't even own the land the cemetery sits on. > So, we all go home now and wait for next spring, or what? > I knew it wouldn't go anywhere, it never does. > Jon Andrews > > > >From: "Rich Green" <[email protected]> > >To: "Jon Andrews" <[email protected]> > >Subject: Fw: Mariah Baptist Cemetery > >Date: Thu, 24 Jun 2004 15:32:44 -0500 > > > > > >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: Mohow, James > >To: 'Rich Green' > >Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2004 9:14 AM > >Subject: RE: Mariah Baptist Cemetery > > > > > >Rich: > > > > > > > >Wanted to let you know that we just received the Conservation Officer's > >report on his investigation of the Mariah Baptist Cemetery. > > > >While he land owner was not cooperative. The current tenant farmer has > >promised not to disturb the land again after he has harvested his corn crop > >for this year. The C.O. will also follow this up by checking the site > >again this Fall and again in the Spring. > > > > > > > >Jim > > _________________________________________________________________ > Watch the online reality show Mixed Messages with a friend and enter to win > a trip to NY > http://www.msnmessenger-download.click-url.com/go/onm00200497ave/direct/01/ > > > ==== INPCRP Mailing List ==== > Scott Satterthwaite < [email protected] > is the INPCRP State Coordinator. Feel free to contact him directly regarding questions or comments you may have about the INPCRP. >
Jon and Doug, I can certainly understand your disappointment and agree that the cemetery preservation laws seem to be somewhat lacking when it comes to prosecution of offending property owners. In this case the tenant farmer has agreed to cease use of the property and maybe this will dissuade the owner in the future; at least there is that hope now and this wasn't true just a few weeks ago. Clearly, the DHPA has followed through to the extent that there has been a promise of no further damage. It's a good start. It's my opinion that these sort of problems aren't going to be fixed by the state government and will continue until such a time when more local peer groups and or civic organizations ban together in a concerted effort to convince offenders either through some form of negotiation and arbitration, or perhaps civil and criminal litigation. A site like the original Maria Creek Baptist church and cemetery could be saved if enough Knox County folks come together and insist so. The cemetery commissioners have done their part by diligently bringing this to light. The local genealogical society, DAR chapter, historical society and other interested parties should become actively involved now. Organizations could distribute petitions among their constituencies and make the concerns about this important site known publicly through the local news media. This sort of local pressure is more likely to cause an uncooperative land owner to rethink his/her position than is a visit by the Conservation Officer. I will certainly be willing to assist in any effort along these lines. For now, I'll leave the site photos online. Please let me know if I can help in any other way. 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 ----- Original Message ----- From: Doug Dougherty To: [email protected] Sent: Friday, June 25, 2004 8:13 AM Subject: Re: [INPCRP] RE: Fw: Mariah Baptist Cemetery There might as well not be any laws pertaining to cemeteries. I've got a similar situation in Daviess County, at Cincinnati Cemetery, that no one seems to care about, has been reported, and nothing done. Guess if I kill someone, sell drugs, steal cars, etc., I can simply say "I won't do it again", and they'll let me off. ----- Original Message ----- From: "jon andrews" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2004 7:33 PM Subject: [INPCRP] RE: Fw: Mariah Baptist Cemetery > So, I guess that's it! I'm sorry, but I promise not to do it again. > I just don't get it. In my world, you break the law and you go to jail. > Where is this going to go from here? > I would like to have a copy of the C.O.'s investigative report. If he did > any kind of investigation at all, he might have uncovered the fact that the > so-called "landowner" doesn't even own the land the cemetery sits on. > So, we all go home now and wait for next spring, or what? > I knew it wouldn't go anywhere, it never does. > Jon Andrews