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Jul 23, 2008 6:41 pm US/Central
Vandals Strike At Historic Denton Cemetery
DENTON (CBS 11 News) ―
Vandals have disturbed the final resting place for some of Denton's founding fathers. Nearly 50 gravestones have been pushed over at a Denton city cemetery on Highland Street. The graveyard was founded in 1860.
The vandalism happened at the I.O.O.F Cemetery. The cemetery was founded by the Masons' group known as the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
The city now cares for the cemetery and has put yellow flags at every gravestone moved.
I.O.O.F. is one of the oldest graveyards in the City of Denton and recently ahs become a playground for vandals. One local resident said the idea that someone would vandalize a graveyard 'is disgusting'.
So far, city officials say vandals have struck twice. First - 18 headstones were overturned during the weekend. That time a woman who feeds a stray animal at the cemetery notified police.
Tonya Tabor's great grandfather was a member of the founding Masons group. "I think it's awful… makes me sick to my stomach," she said. "Its desecration and no respect at all."
Monday night or early Tuesday morning vandals pushed over 30 more headstones. The City of Denton will have to move the headstones back into place. Some of the grave markers are estimated at weigh more than 1000 pounds.
"These are solid rock. We'll have to get some heavy equipment out here making sure we don't damage the other headstones," explained John Cabrales with the City of Denton. "Then we put some epoxy to glue the headstones back on and do some leveling of the headstones. So, it is quite an effort."
As it stands, the city has no immediate plans for extra security measures.
Everyone affected by these crimes say they hope the vandals are done. "There's other things to do with your time than disrespect the dead and their family," Tabor said.
The city estimates repair time between 7 to 10 days, at a cost of $4,500. Officials say there is no way to find and notify all the families affected.
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