Peoples Cemetery - Clean Up
We gathered at Peoples Cemetery on Saturday, October 23rd, 1999, to begin our clean up. And what a undertaking it was. Briars and weeds (4 to 8 feet tall) had all but taken over this family cemetery.
Volunteers were Jane Altum Wilson and husband Todd of North Carolina. John Altum of West Tennessee. Mike Barr of Georgia. Randy Williamson of Powell TN. Gary West of Roane Co TN. Terri and Gary Ridings of Knox Co TN. Alma Altum Graham of Anderson Co TN. Visitors to the cemetery that day were: Sam Satterfield and Judy Altum Emert both of the Heiskell community.
Our day began at 8:30 a.m. The "first" thing we had to do was cut a path to the cemetery entrance. While we were tearing away vines, broken off tree branches, and briars, we disturbed a yellow jackets nest. I ran for cover but Todd was stung several times on the back of the neck. Thank goodness for the first aid kit.......
We were a small group, but very dedicated and ambitious. We worked well together. Everyone arrived with an armload of tools for the work to be done. We were constantly lending a hand to one another.
By lunchtime, major progress had been made. We sat under the big oak trees and picnicked on the cemetery grounds. During our break for lunch we enjoyed talking and getting acquainted with one another.
Pictures were taken of the stones. I filmed our work in progress for future documentation. Major breakthroughs were discovered on our family research.
Much more work is needed at this family cemetery. Our next trip to the cemetery will be to:
1)clear the fence line of all vines and debris
2)bushhog the easement from the road to the fence
3)clear the property all around the cemetery outside the fence line
4)repair the stones that are broken
Want to help next time we get together?
Next clean up scheduled for: keep checking here for a date and time
Want to know more, want to help next time?email me at: Purkat3@triad.rr.com.
Cemeteries of Anderson County, Tennessee