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Subject: [KYBRECKI] Update on Cedar Hill, Stephensport Cemetery
Date: Fri, 6 Jul 2007 22:48:34 -0400


Hi all....

Wanted to give an update on the situation concerning the Cedar Hill Cemetery in Stephensport. Last night I told you all of vandalism that occurred on June 19th and believed on June 20th as well. I was on and off the phone today with the Breckinridge County Sheriff's Department, the Breck. Co. Archives, Trent-Dowell Funeral Home, two of my family members, and one of the two caretakers of the cemetery it's self. Here's what I have found out and know as of this evening.

There were two juveniles that went into the cemetery on what is believed two separate nights and vandalized tombstones in the old section of the cemetery. The new section, which is between the two entrances (the road is a circular road that goes from one gate to the back and out the other gate), is untouched. The old section, which comprises the top of the hill where all the old markers are located, was where the damaged was received. According to Mrs. Robbins, one of the caretakers, there were between 50 and 60 markers that were knocked over completely out of their base. In some cases there were small ones that were pushed/knocked out of their bases and they were used to break other markers, inflicting further damage on the initial stone.

One marker in the back of the cemetery is rather tall and despite attempts with rope to pull it over, the only thing that happened was the urn from the marker was toppled over. I don't know the condition of the urn. I do know that Trent-Dowell has said that several marker companies have come in and tried to evaluate the situation and what it would take to repair the broken markers, but have told the funeral home directors that some are destroyed and are irrepairable, as well as irreplaceable with duplicates due to their being so old.

At present, I know of 12 family members I have that are buried roughly 20-40 ft. away from the marker that the urn was toppled off of. I don't know if my family markers have been damaged beyond repair, but Mrs. Robbins said she would make a trip up to the cemetery for me and get back with me sometime tomorrow if not by Sunday to let me know their status.

I know in the past it sounded crazy when I said I had a passion for photographing the cemeteries due to time, elements, and "people" doing so much damage to cemeteries over the years... but this is a classic example of how pictures would greatly help in restoring the markers that are restorable, as well as could be used as evidence against those who willfully and maliciously tear up and destroy our families' resting places.

Have a good one.....

Dana
File Manager, Breckinridge County
USGW KyArchives

http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/ky/breckinridge/toc.html
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