KYBRECKI-L Archives
Archiver > KYBRECKI > 2007-07 > 1183947611
From: "John G. West" <>
Subject: Re: [KYBRECKI] Update on Cedar Hill, Stephensport Cemetery
Date: Sun, 08 Jul 2007 21:20:11 -0500
References: <000c01c7c041$51d158f0$5d72e004@dana>
In-Reply-To: <000c01c7c041$51d158f0$5d72e004@dana>
Dana, thanks for making this report. Vandalism to cemeteries is such
a cruel crime. You make some very important points about the value
of taking photos of tombstones - restoration of damaged stones (by
whatever reason) and a method to establish evidence against
vandals. Hopefully your family's stones were not among those that
were damaged. I feel a lot of sorrow for those families that lost
markers due to these very young criminals. They owe an eternal
apology to the deceased that they desecrated their stones. I
envision that when these kids die that there will be a "welcoming"
committee waiting for them on their way to Hades.
John G. West
At 09:48 PM 7/6/2007, you wrote:
>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
>Email to:
>
>
>
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