Corsicana —
Hopewell Cemetery in the western part of the county, was vandalized on or about March 5, and sheriff’s deputies are looking for help from the public.
“It being so muddy, we have a small amount of physical evidence we’re going on,” said Det. Hank Bailey with the Navarro County Sheriff’s Office. “We’re working it, but at this time we’re really looking for help from the community.”
Pete Goodin, president of the Hopewell Cemetery Association, said he got a call last Monday about the damage.
“On Sunday, it looked like half the cemetery was pushed over,” he said. “There’s probably 75 monuments pushed over or broken.”
The shorter, more modern marble markers were pushed over, while the taller pieces that towered over the field were often snapped in two. Some of those date back over 100 years to the 1800s when the cemetery was established.
Sheriff’s deputies counted 80 markers damaged or destroyed. The damage appears to have been done by hand, with the people rocking or pushing on the tombs.
Bailey estimates that to have professionals repair the damage would cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Goodin is planning a work day this Saturday to help right some of the damage, and is calling on anyone with loved ones in the cemetery to come out and lend a hand.
“It’s a bad situation for this to happen,” Goodin said. “We’ll call the local people and try to get a few people down there and pick up all the smaller stones that we can. Of course, all the real large stones, they turned over three of those real tall Woodmen of the World stones. We may have to pay to have those monuments redone.”
Sheriff’s deputies are hoping anyone who noticed any damage to the stones will call in to help them create a timeline.
“Some of can’t be replaced. That’s history that’s gone,” Bailey said.
Bailey can be reached by calling the sheriff’s office at (903) 654-3002.
—————
Janet Jacobs may be reached via e-mail at jacobs@corsicanadailysun.com. Want to "Soundoff" on this story? E-mail: soundoff@corsicanadailysun.com
Latest News
Related Photos
-
Vandals destroyed or knocked over 80 tombstones in Hopewell Cemetery, some dating back to the 1800s. Detectives are seeking help in identifying suspects. Courtesy photo
Discussion
Vandals damage Hopewell cemetery
- Latest News
-
-
County gathers to honor military heroes who gave their all
As the courthouse clock tower rang 11 times, Navarro County gathered at the courthouse square to pay tribute Monday.
-
Former Mildred school leader passes
Doug Lane, who was superintendent of schools at Mildred Independent School District for 24 years until retiring in 2011, died Sunday at a hospital in Tyler. He was 70 years old.
-
Navarro College to debut success program
Navarro College has embarked on a new program to help ensure student success in the college experience.
College trustees were briefed on the “First Year Experience” program at the board’s monthly meeting Thursday. -
Local Beat 5/28/12
A list of meetings and events of interest from throughout Navarro County
-
Sample Ballots, Polling Places for May 29 Election
Click this link to get sample ballots for the May 29 Primary Election
Early voting
Early voting will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays Monday thru Friday May 14 through May 18, and May 21 through May 25, 2012, in the basement of the Navarro County Courthouse, 300 W. Third Ave., Corsicana.
Early voting will be held on the weekend from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday May 19, and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 20, in the basement of the Navarro County Courthouse, 300 W. Third Ave., Corsicana. -
Memorial Day ceremony honors servicemen, women
Navarro County turned out in numbers Monday to honor those who made the ultimate sacrafice in service to the U.S. military.
-
One killed, five hurt in Interstate rollover
One man was killed and five others injured Sunday when a Ford Expedition rolled several times and jumped a cable barrier on Interstate 45 south of Corsicana.
-
Memorial Day services Monday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Monday is Memorial Day, and Corsicana will host two separate ceremonies to honor those who gave their lives in service to our country.
-
Downtown's 'The Diner' to close its doors Thursday
The Diner, in downtown Corsicana, will close its doors after the close of business Thursday, owner Richard Arnett said Sunday.
-
Commissioners to meet Tuesday
The Navarro County Commissioners Court is scheduled to meet in special session at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 29, in the county courtroom of the Navarro County Courthouse.
The meeting was moved from Monday, May 28, due to the Memorial Day holiday. - More Latest News Headlines
-
Raw Video: 19 Dead in Qatar Shopping Mall Fire
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony
Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
