By: Lydia Crawley
The Parsons Advocate
An initially identified 177 headstones are slated to be reset at Davis Cemetery, according to Davis Cemetery Committee Chair Jeanette Ware. Ware updated the Davis Town Council Wednesday, September 25th on the project at the Council’s regular meeting.
Ware said that three families had donated to the project, but that the cost would exceed the donated amount. City employee Joni Felton said that funds were available in the Cemetery fund for towards project. Ware said that donations were being accepted for the project, as well.
The project, according to Ware, consists of resetting the foundations or re-pouring the bases of the headstones, some of which has completely toppled over. Some of the headstones are from Civil War era soldiers, Ware said, and many no longer have living family members. Ware said there is an effort ongoing to find family of as many of the graves as possible, however, but the families will not be asked to pay for the restoration costs. Ware said the effort was mainly to inform the families of the restoration.
Ware said the contractor has been completing the work in a rapid pace. According to Ware 23 stones were completed in two and half days. Council Member Doug Martin said one of the stones required 860 pounds of concrete alone to reset the foundation.
Ware said work on the project is proceeding from the front to the back since that is what people see when they first enter the cemetery grounds, but assured that all the stones that need resetting would be completed eventually.
Ware also said she had considered releasing the names of the headstones in an effort to find more family members, but overall was pleased with the project’s progress. “I’m happy and I’m pleased,” Ware said.
Ware asked the Council for approval for funds for concrete. Felton said the money was available and just needed approval from the Council to move forward. In a motion made by Mayor Al Tomson, the Council approved payment of 50% upfront cost for materials on the project.
