Tending to old graves
For the last 6 years I have been trying to locate and record old abandoned cemeteries in Fayette County and post my findings on the Internet and in local libraries, so that there will be a record if these old cemeteries are destroyed in future. I have found small cemeteries that have been destroyed by strip mining, timber cutting. I recently found one near Lambert that was destroyed to make way for a new house.
The Dickey family cemetery in Springfield Township is in danger of being destroyed by a stone quarry, if it has not been by now.
I have found two other cemeteries in last two weeks in yards, and those stones are slowly disappearing, even it is against the law to remove them. One of the worst cases I have found is the “Old Fayette County Home Cemetery” located off Waylon Smith Drive, west of Uniontown. This cemetery belongs to the citizens of Fayette County, not the commissioners or land developers.
The County Home was for poor people who had no place to live. A cemetery for those who died there was on the hillside. There were hundreds of graves there. I can find only two headstones. Most of the area now has been leveled for development.
Also the Lincoln Burial ground located near the Connellsville Street Exit on Route 119 was moved from the south side of Route 119 to the north side, to make room years ago for the old state police barracks. Now development is threatening it again. The new building being built there is no more than 50 feet from it.
It seems there is nothing sacred anymore, except developing real estate and making money at the expense of our cemeteries. It looks as though there will be no end to the desecration of the graves of our ancestors, who helped make this country what it was, unless the caring citizens of Fayette County stand together and remind the offenders that these old cemeteries are part of our heritage.
If any readers know of an old abandoned cemetery that few know about, please contact me at 724-628-8783 or begin kenoneal@zoominternet.net kenoneal@zoominternet.net end
. I would like to record and get the GPS location for it. That way, at least we will have a record of those buried there.
Ken O’Neal
Connellsville
Pa. at bottom of list for library support
As the number of social services and government agencies shut down, or are inundated with work, more and more Americans are relying on libraries to help find a job, get accurate and up-to-date healthcare information, conduct research, connect with their neighbors and colleagues through such programs as book discussion groups, and of course, take home the latest best seller.
This year, state-level funding for our 600-plus libraries was significantly reduced, ranking Pennsylvania in the nation’s bottom quartile for overall funding of library services – that’s the bottom 15 states. Other states sharing that infamous listing include West Virginia, Mississippi and Arkansas.
As schools, campuses and communities across the country celebrate National Library Week and the valuable contribution of our libraries, residents should take time to thank their state legislators and senators and the governor, as well as county and local elected officials, for helping to provide library services. Libraries are part of the American dream – places for opportunity, education, lifelong learning and free and equal access to a world of resources no matter your age, income or background.
It’s easy to take our librarians and library workers for granted because they are always there for you. I encourage everyone to take a moment to thank them for the services they provide and to remind our state representatives and senators and governor, that libraries provide vital services each and every day.
If you haven’t been to the library lately, National Library Week is a great time to check out why there’s something for everyone at your library.
S. Fred Natale, director
Monessen Public Library & District Center
Here’s one reason rural life beats the city
I was impressed and awed by the response that was so quickly coordinated with less than an hour to find the lost little boy. A massive effort came forth to help find the 4-year-old boy not soon after the police raced down Main Street. Residents gathered in the yard of the family ready and willing to be pointed in any needed direction to search high and low. Four-wheelers rumbled, cars arrived, helicopters whirled and even a hero on horseback rode in. To me, all of this was new.
Coming from the city, with family back home unable to comprehend my choice to remain in this beautiful rural area, I am proud to say “God bless the small towns of America.”
Such response should come so naturally all over this country. The boy was found before any extreme searching was necessary. I’d like to say, kudos to all who responded in Markleysburg.
Ruth Jenkins
Markleysburg