Date: 6-3-00
Cemetery Name: Applegate-Kennedy
Street: corner of Idaho & Blaine
City: New Plymouth
County: Payette
State: Idaho
Zip: 83661
Land Type: Private
Status: Abandoned
Number of graves: 100 maybe less
Oldest grave: 1872
Records: Yes
Inventory: Yes
Owner: Payette County, Idaho
Problem's
Cemetery about to be destroyed
Overgrown-ground cover
Broken Headstones
Buried Headstones
Disintegrating Headstones
Fallen Headstones
Removed Headstones
General Neglect
Vandalism
Location
There was an article written in the Idaho Genealogical Quarterly
Vol 1 No.1 Page 13, referring to an article written in a book called
"In the Shadow of the Squaw" by Goldsmith (page 99), written
in 1956, I think, that list shows some of the people buried there. It
can be obtained by the Idaho Historical Society.
Description
An acre of land donated half each by Mr. John Applegate and Mr.
Robert Kennedy with the intent to be used to bury their families.
Others were added, including my ancestors the Groves family. A small
unattended cemetery with nothing but a barbed wire fence around it to
keep the cows out. Headstones are broken, turner over or vandalized in
some way. I have been in contact with the last of the Applegate
family, a great granddaughter who stated in a letter to me, "I
don't have too many answers to your questions about the
Applegate-Kennedy Cemetery. It is in deplorable condition. It has been
vandalized many times, but the authorities just seems to look the
other way. It was deeded to Payette County in probably the last
eighteen or twenty years and Payette County is very negligent in
caring for their historical cemeteries. The Applegate-Kennedy Cemetery
is not the only sad cemetery. As you can probable tell, I am very
happy that I no longer live there". Phyllis works at the Idaho
Historical Society so
Other Problems
As no water has been made available the land is very dry and some
of the graves are in danger of caving in. I have a few pictures that a
cousin of mine sent and the area is as Phyllis stated
"deplorable". I am planning a trip next month--July 13-18th
and will be taking many photos of the entire grounds and will make
them available to you if you so desire.
Previous Contacts
As to date you are the only ones, although I am in the midst of
writing the County of Payette and will take this matter to the governor
of Idaho if it is necessary. I am a member of RootsWeb and
Ancestory.com and belong to many Historical Societies here in the
Mid-West. Where would we Rooters be if it weren't for these old"
cemeteries? We are like children in a candy store when we find any of
our ancestors grave sites.
Current Status
A few weeds were removed over the Memorial Weekend by an older
gentleman who was erecting a flagpole when Plyllis was there. I don't
know his name but I am sure my cousin who is also doing research on
this Cemetery, does as she has talked to him. Fortunately she lives in
the area. I also have other family that live in and around that area.
I myself was born and raised in Idaho, where my heart remains. I
certainly hope your org. can help in some way. I will send you
pictures of the entire cemetery when I get back if you wish to have
them. Just contact me by e-mail. I thanks you for your time. God Bless
each and everyone of you.
Submitted by / Contact for additional Information:
name: Katherine L. Dusek
Email: JstPlnKAT@aol.com
