Ignatius Posted May 31, 2010 Share Posted May 31, 2010 I just returned home from a visit to Rumbarger Cemetery. Being Memorial Day, I wanted to visit the GAR Circle, and just take a walk around the grounds. To say the least, I am almost speechless at how at cemetery well within the city limits, could be left to deteriorate as much as it has! Particularly troubling are the number of veteran graves, from the Civil War through WWII (I didn't see any Viet Nam veterans, but that doesn't mean there may not be any) that need attention. Additionally, many of the names on the stones reflect well known personages from the beginning of DuBois, as well as names formerly unknown to me. I certainly respect and applaud the efforts a few volunteers have made to beautify the cemetery, but it will certainly take more than those volunteers. I know we've discussed this topic previously, but on Memorial Day, it seems fitting to see what can be done to actually start something. What say any of you? How can we get this started? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delta Posted May 31, 2010 Share Posted May 31, 2010 Get the city to admit it owns it....or know who actually does. It seems whenever the city doesn't want to deal with something, it claims it can't "find" the owner: brewery, Wilson School, Rumbarger.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wonderer Posted May 31, 2010 Share Posted May 31, 2010 I agree with you 100% on this one. Our city should be ashamed that this has happened. The history here is amazing, and to ignore it is very sad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petee Posted May 31, 2010 Share Posted May 31, 2010 This is some research that I did, and discussed with Judge Cherry as to the ownership. It cannot ever be a business/cemetery again except for those who already have lots there with markers because there is no reliable map as to where everyone is buried. However, it can be placed under a trustee agreement with the county and there is even a small grant available through the vounty but it has to go to a permanent group. For that information you can contact Ryan Sprague's father. DuBois - Rumbarger Cemetery Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wonderer Posted May 31, 2010 Share Posted May 31, 2010 Thank You Cheryl, this answers quite a few of my questions I have had. Still something needs to be done and I will work with whoever to get it done, as I believe as quite a few do that this cemetary needs our attention. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delta Posted June 1, 2010 Share Posted June 1, 2010 Wow! Interesting...painstaking research. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ignatius Posted June 1, 2010 Author Share Posted June 1, 2010 OK - how do we get started? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claugh Posted June 1, 2010 Share Posted June 1, 2010 The land for the Rumbarger Cemetery was set aside by John Rumbarger in 1877. Upon his death all his property was to be sold and the cemetery was sold to a group of three men, a Grier, Weber and Terpe in 1890, which was the beginning of the DuBois Cemetery Company. Sometime in the early 1900's it passed to Herbert A. Moore (not to be confused with N. R. Moore, the undertaker who was involved with Morningside Cemetery) and A. L. Cole. They continued with the DuBois Cemetery Company and it is my understanding that it has never been dissolved. It was run as a "for-profit" company and the money was split with no thought to the future of the cemetery. The "quit-claim" deed filed by Wallace Lindsay was declared invalid by the court. The cemetery actually looks very good right now although there are a lot of things that need done. There is currently a group forming and preparing an application for a 501©3, non-profit organization. It will take a lot of money and things will not happen quickly. In the meantime, it will still need mowed and trimmed. Volunteers are always welcome. Cowan's have been helping reset stones and the city is now providing the gas for Sam as well as helping in other ways. It will be important to form an organization that will provide for perpetual care for the cemetery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petee Posted June 1, 2010 Share Posted June 1, 2010 That is exactly what has needed to be done and ALL donations need to be run through it first, then dispersed to workers as needed. The DuBois Cemetery Company has long since been defunct as a non-operational entity but this is what a court need to decide in detail so the place can be kept officially as a historical site. I don't remember the name of the lawyer who is doing the legal work, Grinnen maybe, but he deserves a big hand for doing it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wonderer Posted June 1, 2010 Share Posted June 1, 2010 Please keep us all updated on any new details. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claugh Posted June 1, 2010 Share Posted June 1, 2010 The way it was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claugh Posted June 1, 2010 Share Posted June 1, 2010 The way it is now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ignatius Posted June 1, 2010 Author Share Posted June 1, 2010 In beginning this thread, I did not mean to disparage the recent efforts to clean up the cemetery. The cemetery is now at the state of showing more complicated work that needs done! Who is the group? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claugh Posted June 1, 2010 Share Posted June 1, 2010 No offense taken. It does need a lot of work. The walls are crumbling, there are stones that need repaired or replaced and the Child's mausoleum must be repaired, just to name a few projects. There is another meeting scheduled for next week and hopefully there will be something to post here. We haven't even decided on a name yet as this is just in the formative stages. Any suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ignatius Posted June 1, 2010 Author Share Posted June 1, 2010 No offense taken. It does need a lot of work. The walls are crumbling, there are stones that need repaired or replaced and the Child's mausoleum must be repaired, just to name a few projects. There is another meeting scheduled for next week and hopefully there will be something to post here. We haven't even decided on a name yet as this is just in the formative stages. Any suggestions? What you have mentioned are the items I've noticed. Where and when is the meeting? If some of us from GoDuBois attend, can we keep our presence at the meetings away from a public forum? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wonderer Posted June 3, 2010 Share Posted June 3, 2010 I will certainly be there, as I have sent the details to you as well Big TO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harvey Mungaknuts Posted June 3, 2010 Share Posted June 3, 2010 Rumbarger Revitalization Committee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petee Posted June 3, 2010 Share Posted June 3, 2010 Historic Rumbarger Cemetery Association? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ignatius Posted June 3, 2010 Author Share Posted June 3, 2010 This sounds most interesting! Should we wear nametags with our "GoDuBois" screen names? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickey7169 Posted June 13, 2010 Share Posted June 13, 2010 I was working with Sam the one that takes care of it but I stopped because the chamber of commerce was supposed to step in and take charge. I have some information that I collected when I was helping out there I will gladly turn it over to whoever is in charge of your group. Thank you Trisha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petee Posted June 14, 2010 Share Posted June 14, 2010 Ditto! I'm glad there is finallly an official group forming and I hope they soon have a public meeting so those who want to help can do so in an organized manner. No one has ever had any idea of where the money was going, and there are grants to be had for doing some of the work. It's time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wonderer Posted June 14, 2010 Share Posted June 14, 2010 What money Cheryl? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petee Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 Money and equipment was given for years to the guy who was doing some of the mowing but he never recorded it. If this is to be an official historic location it should be kept track of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VikingPrincess Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 Finally found the map of the cemetery Mr. Lindsay had given me, and I want to make a copy of it and I'll be glad to share it with anyone who wants it. I'd like to attend the meeting too, if i can. My great grandparents, Axel and Josefina Swanson, and great great grandma Johanna Johnson are buried there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazycat Posted March 15, 2011 Share Posted March 15, 2011 I see no one has written anything on this thread topic since July, I am wondering why it couldn't be used as a project for people who need to do community service. Like people on probation ( even if not better juvenile probation), these kids could do general upkeep of the grounds like weedeating,mowing, etc. and it could be counted towards their service. It is in our community and really with its location, needs upkeep all seasons.Just to walk up that way in the winter, no one takes care of the shoveling of the Main st. sidewalk out front of it. I don't know who would be the one to contact, if anyone knows about who divies up community service jobs and a contact number post it please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now