July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Cemetery issue not going away
Editorial
Sometimes, it seems, nothing is simple.
More than two years ago, representatives of the Jay County Cemetery Commission and the Jay County Historical Society called upon county commissioners to take action to preserve and restore Portland's pioneer cemetery.
So far, not much has happened.
A survey was conducted in 2009, but determining the boundaries of the cemetery - located on the south side of the Salamonie River west of what used to be Sheller Globe Corp.'s plant number one - hasn't been an easy matter.
The cemetery, which dates back to at least 1852, was at one point deeded to the Jay County Commissioners.
But somewhere along the line, it got lumped in with adjoining land owned by Portland businessman Dean Poole, who apparently has been paying taxes on it for years.
And it's not clear how many - if any - human remains are still buried there.
A number of bodies were reported to have been exhumed and moved to Green Park Cemetery in 1896, and there are reports of further exhumations and re-burials in the 1930s.
There are, to be sure, old headstones at the cemetery site. But it's not clear if there are remains to go with the headstones.
Meanwhile, county officials keep putting the issue on the back burner, probably because it's going to be so complicated to resolve.
Some original boundary of what remains of the cemetery site is going to have to be mutually agreed upon by Poole and the county. And Poole is going to have to be compensated in some way for the land he's been paying taxes on.
One thing is certain: The issue isn't going to go away.
In fact, it's been a nagging problem for more than a century.
As early as 1872, the condition of what was then known as the Portland Graveyard or the Portland Burying Ground sparked editorial concern in local newspapers, according to research by Jay County historian Jane Spencer.
"Is this burying ground to remain in its present condition another year, or will the good citizens of this community take steps toward its improvement?" asked the Portland Democrat.
It was a good question then.
It's an even better question now. - J.R.[[In-content Ad]]
More than two years ago, representatives of the Jay County Cemetery Commission and the Jay County Historical Society called upon county commissioners to take action to preserve and restore Portland's pioneer cemetery.
So far, not much has happened.
A survey was conducted in 2009, but determining the boundaries of the cemetery - located on the south side of the Salamonie River west of what used to be Sheller Globe Corp.'s plant number one - hasn't been an easy matter.
The cemetery, which dates back to at least 1852, was at one point deeded to the Jay County Commissioners.
But somewhere along the line, it got lumped in with adjoining land owned by Portland businessman Dean Poole, who apparently has been paying taxes on it for years.
And it's not clear how many - if any - human remains are still buried there.
A number of bodies were reported to have been exhumed and moved to Green Park Cemetery in 1896, and there are reports of further exhumations and re-burials in the 1930s.
There are, to be sure, old headstones at the cemetery site. But it's not clear if there are remains to go with the headstones.
Meanwhile, county officials keep putting the issue on the back burner, probably because it's going to be so complicated to resolve.
Some original boundary of what remains of the cemetery site is going to have to be mutually agreed upon by Poole and the county. And Poole is going to have to be compensated in some way for the land he's been paying taxes on.
One thing is certain: The issue isn't going to go away.
In fact, it's been a nagging problem for more than a century.
As early as 1872, the condition of what was then known as the Portland Graveyard or the Portland Burying Ground sparked editorial concern in local newspapers, according to research by Jay County historian Jane Spencer.
"Is this burying ground to remain in its present condition another year, or will the good citizens of this community take steps toward its improvement?" asked the Portland Democrat.
It was a good question then.
It's an even better question now. - J.R.[[In-content Ad]]
Top Stories
9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit
Chartwells marketing
September 17, 2024 7:36 a.m.
Events
250 X 250 AD