I've been watching closely the last few
months, as the drama unfolded around the endangered Alms House Cemetery
in Springfield, Missouri.
When I was about six years old, my
mother and I visited an elderly woman who was staying in the "old
folks home" located near the Alms House Cemetery. Sadly I can't
recall whether the woman was a relative, or a friend.
I had thought many times of visiting
the old cemetery, but was discouraged by barbed-wire fence and
overgrowth which would have made it nearly impossible to find grave
markers.
Through the years I kept the old
cemetery in my thoughts and prayed that the landowners would open an
access, or at the very least, clean up the cemetery.
When I learned the cemetery was about
to be destroyed to make way for commercial development, I was shocked to
say the least. I simply would not tolerate anyone paving over any
gravesite, and thus I began my search for a solution.
It was during this search that I
discovered your wonderful website "Saving Graves". Searching
the links at your site, I discovered a report had been made on this very
Alms House Cemetery. I was elated to know that someone did care!
Now I have wonderful news!
Thanks to the volunteers, including but
not limited to, architect Joel Chamberlain; Greene County commissioners;
State and County Highway Departments; the Springfield-Branson Regional
Airport board, and several area construction companies, THE ALMS HOUSE
CEMETERY IN SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI HAS BEEN SAVED!!
I would like to express my heartfelt
thanks to all who volunteered webspace, services, donations and most
importantly gave of their time to save this wonderful "old
cemetery". God Bless each and every one of you!
Read the commentary by local columnist,
Sarah Overstreet at:
http://www.springfieldnews-leader.com/opinions/overstreet080202.html
