Twin Cities Memorial Gardens

Ink dry on purchase of troubled cemetery
from URL: http://www.thenewsstar.com/article/20081209/NEWS01/812090309

Staff report

The purchase of Twin Cities Memorial Gardens in West Monroe has been
completed, and in the near future its name will be changed to Kilpatrick's
Serenity Gardens.

Laura Kilpatrick Marchelos, Kilpatrick Funeral Homes president, said
Monday the company has already met with architects and contractors to give "this
half-century old property a new and exciting face-lift which we will be
unveiling over the next 60 to 90 days."

The cemetery was placed in receivership by the state earlier this year
because of poor management by former owner Dannie Jackson. Mulhearn Funeral
Homes had been running the facility since the state's takeover. Mulhearn has its
own cemetery, Mulhearn Memorial Park Cemetery, east of Monroe.

The state Attorney General's Office, which represents the Louisiana
Cemetery Board, placed Twin Cities into receivership in January while
investigating complaints over the past several years about poor management and
perpetual care and merchandise trusts not being properly funded.

Following a state investigation, Jackson was indicted on 16 counts of
improper contract for taking money for headstones that he never installed. In
February, he pleaded no contest to one count of improper contract for failing to
put the money in a trust account as required by law.

Jackson has agreed to ensure that all trust funds be fully funded and
to provide a reserve account so Kilpatrick Funeral Homes can fund contracts of
families that have not been fulfilled.

Kilpatrick Funeral Homes operates businesses in Monroe, West Monroe,
Ruston and Farmerville.
"This has been a dream of ours to add a cemetery to
our existing business and to be able to do it where it will benefit the
community of West Monroe and Ouachita Parish. It is a perfect fit," Kilpatrick
said.

Following a state attorney general investigation and an audit by Lucy
McCann of the Louisiana Cemetery Board and the Kilpatrick staff, Kilpatrick
Funeral Homes founder Tex Kilpatrick said "that everything is in order at this
time."

He said those with questions should contact Kilpatrick's at 323-9614.
He said all records should be ready for review "within the next few
weeks."

Marchelos said people driving by the cemetery will begin to notice
immediate enhancements such as a general cleanup, a new permanent office, new
signage, updated fencing, lighting and road improvements. "Further improvements
will become evident as we get closer to spring of 2009," she said

.

West Baton Rouge Parish cemetery on River Road

November 25th and 26th Paul Gates of WAFB wrote a story about a small rural cemetery in West Baton Rouge Parish that likely suffered damage from Hurricane Gustav. It was found by a couple traveling in the area who emailed Mr. Gates about the damaged cemetery near Beuche, Louisiana on River Road. The Assistant Attorney General, Ryan Seideman, the Louisiana Cemetery Board, and both the West Baton Rouge cornoners office and Parish President were on hand to see that the cemetery was cleaned up. You can read more about both articles from Paul Gates here: Family shocked by cemetery destruction and Repair process begins at cemetery with damaged caskets and vaults. It is believed that the destruction found was likely caused by Hurricane Gustav and the owner may be able to get assistance from FEMA. They are still looking for the owner of this cemetery on River Road.


There are very few named cemeteries in West Baton Rouge Parish and even fewer with transcripts available on-line. In fact, Martin Gautier's Louisiana Cemeteries lists several "unknown" cemeteries that have no transcripts, photographs or recognition by USGS. I noted 10 unknown cemeteries at his site where has has listed the GPS of the cemetery. USGS lists cemeteries differently from church cemeteries. Only 10 cemeteries are noted by USGS. USGS lists several churches that may be associated with older cemeteries. Find A Grave notes 39 cemeteries totally in West Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana where a few more are associated with churches.

Heritage Day at Fort Polk 2008

The second annual Heritage Day at Fort Polk took place on November 1st. According to the Leesville Daily Leader newspaper, "Since undertaking the goal of preserving the old home sites and cemeteries, Fort Polk has located more than 27 cemeteries as well as numerous home sites.During the past year, more than 70 grave sites have been located with ground-penetrating radar. Sage said they hope to identify all of the grave sites and eventually replace markers. Currently Fort Polk is working with the U.S. Forest Service and Northwestern State University to collect oral histories along with any and all photos of Camp Polk and the home sites of the families prior to the government’s take over of the land.As information is collected, it is being recorded. Copies will be available for viewing at Fort Polk and NSU." The Gaurdian posted an article about Heritage Day by ZACH MORGAN, Heritage Days helps families heal old hurts.

Lafayette Cemetery No. 1

Students Hit the Streets to Help New Orleans As a steady stream of tourists wandered through Lafayette No. 1 cemetery located across the street from Commander’s Palace restaurant, troops of Tulane students fanned out to groom the historic grounds. Working in partnership with the community group Save Our Cemeteries, some students picked up ...Tulane New Wave - http://tulane.edu/news/newwave/092308_outreach.cfm

Legislative Actions in 2008

Search URL terms "cemetery" and "cemeteries"

HB 928 Act 600 signed by the Governor of Louisiana - CULTURE/REC/TOUR DEPT:Provides for the creation of the Louisiana Historic Cemetery Register

HB 1243 Act 657 signed by the Governor of Louisiana - CRIME/THEFT:Provides for the crime of theft of copper from a religious building or cemetery or graveyard

SB 339 Act 541 signed by the Governor of Louisiana - CEMETERIES:Provides relative to cemeteries in receivership for rehabilitation. (gov sig)

SB 424 Act 188 signed by the Governor of Louisiana - CEMETERIES:Provides for a written contract in cemetery related merchandise and services. (gov sig)

SB 427 Act 423 signed by the Governor of Louisiana - CEMETERIES:Requires property used for cemetery purposes to be dedicated as such through recording an instrument with the clerk of court of the parish in which the cemetery is located and with the Louisiana Cemetery Board. (gov sig)

Other Actions on the House Calendar 2008 "cemetery"

See aslo HLS No. 183

Louisiana Historic Cemetery Register

The following was copied from the PDF file of Act No. 600 available from the below URL's. This Act was one of four in the 2008 Session to be signed by the Governor of Louisiana with regards to cemeteries.


Page 1 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
ACT No. 600
HOUSE BILL NO. 928
BY REPRESENTATIVE SAM JONES
AN ACT 1
To enact R.S. 25:912(15) and 914, relative to certain cemeteries within the state of 2
Louisiana; to provide for the creation of a historic cemetery register within the 3
division of historic preservation, office of cultural development, Department of 4
Culture, Recreation and Tourism; to provide relative to the nomination, review, and 5
approval of any such cemetery for inclusion on the state register; to provide relative 6
to the adoption of rules and regulations by the division; and to provide for related 7
matters. 8
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana: 9
Section 1. R.S. 25:912(15) and 914 are hereby enacted to read as follows: 10
§912. Duties and responsibilities 11
The division shall have the following duties and responsibilities: 12
* * * 13
(15) Establishing and maintaining a register of historic cemeteries located 14
in Louisiana in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 25:914. 15
* * * 16
§914. Louisiana Register of Historic Cemeteries 17
A. The division shall be responsible for establishing and maintaining a 18
register of historic cemeteries located in Louisiana in accordance with the provisions 19
of this Section. The register shall be known as the Louisiana Register of Historic 20
Cemeteries. The register shall be established and maintained for the purpose of 21
recognizing cemeteries as being among the most valuable historic resources of the 22
state of Louisiana as cemeteries can reveal information about the historic events, 23
religion, lifestyles, and genealogy of a local community. 24
ENROLLED HB NO. 928
Page 2 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
B. The division shall establish an application process by which a cemetery 1
may be nominated to the division for placement on the state register. A cemetery 2
may be nominated by any person, agency, organization, or political subdivision of 3
the state of Louisiana. The division shall make an application for nomination 4
available to any person who requests such application. 5
C. No cemetery shall be considered for placement on the state register unless 6
it is at least fifty years old, or contains the burial of a person of local, state, or 7
national importance by reason of civic, public or military service, cultural 8
achievement, or historical significance, or contains structures that are considered 9
architecturally significant. Any person, agency, organization, or political subdivision 10
nominating a cemetery to the division for inclusion on the state register shall submit 11
photographs, maps, and any historical data regarding the significance of any such 12
cemetery. The division shall promulgate such rules and regulations for the 13
nomination, review, and approval of any application submitted pursuant to this 14
Section in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 25:913(B). 15
D. The division may cooperate with all departments, commissions, boards, 16
agencies, officers, and institutions of the state and all political subdivisions thereof 17
in carrying out the purposes of this Section. 18
Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not 19
signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature 20
by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If 21
vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become 22
effective on the day following such approval. 23
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED:

From the internet copy of pdf file:
http://louisianacemeteries.wikispaces.com/space/showimage/Act600.pdf

See also:
http://www.legis.state.la.us/searchlegis.htm "cemetery" and or "cemeteries"

Battle of Baton Rouge Commemoration & Dedication of Yellow Fever Memorial

Historic Magnolia Cemetery, 19th Street, Baton Rouge

Battle of Baton Rouge Commemoration & Dedication of Yellow Fever Memorial • Saturday, August 9th

John W. Wilbert, Jr., board member of the Foundation for Historical Louisiana, performs TAPS during the annual ceremony each year. This year's event will be held on Saturday, August 9, at 10 a.m. in Historic Magnolia Cemetery.

A special memorial monument will be dedicated to honor the victims of the 1878 Yellow Fever epidemic. More than 100 individuals died during the epidemic and are buried in the cemetery.

What: Patriotic commemorative ceremony honors 1862 Civil War Battle of Baton Rouge Dedication of a new memorial to victims of 1878 Yellow Fever epidemic
When: Saturday, August 9, 10 a.m. to 11.a.m.
Where: Historic Magnolia Cemetery, 19th Street, Baton Rouge
Who: Patriotic Americans, Families, Children, Civil War Historians, Decedents of the Yellow Fever Epidemic

Free and Open to the Public

The Foundation for Historical Louisiana invites the public to attend a patriotic ceremony at Historic Magnolia Cemetery on Saturday, August 9. The program, which honors the 1862 Battle of Baton Rouge, will include a special dedication to unveil a memorial in honor of the hundreds of individuals who lost their lives to Yellow Fever in 1878 in the Baton Rouge area. Many of these individuals are buried in the cemetery.

The free commemorative event is scheduled from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. on Saturday, August 9, at Historic Magnolia Cemetery, located at Florida Boulevard and 19th Street. The program will feature a color guard, canon firing, wreath laying, taps, a vocalist, and civil war enthusiasts in period dress. There will be a tent, chairs, and water under the Oak trees of the historic cemetery. Children are encouraged to attend. Civil War books and heritage items will be on sale from the Foundation for Historical Louisiana’s museum store. For further information call Foundation headquarters at 225-387-2464.

Magnolia Cemetery was established in 1852. Following the war, due to a poor economy, Magnolia Cemetery fell into disrepair. Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Civil War Discovery Train, the cemetery is being restored thanks to FHL, the Magnolia Cemetery trustees, BREC, and others. Ory Poret, a member of the board of FHL and the trustees, serves a chairman of this annual Civil War commemorative event. This sacred and historic site is also the location of the Foundation’s “Magnolia’s Memories” theatre program held annually in March. Professional actors portray the lives of individuals buried in Magnolia Cemetery, giving viewers insight into early life and times of Baton Rouge.

The Battle of Baton Rouge took place on August 5, 1862 on the grounds of Magnolia Cemetery. Louisiana seceded from the Union on January 25, 1861. On May 29, 1862, Union troops led by Brigadier General Thomas Williams began the Federal Occupation of Baton Rouge.

On August 5 at 4 a.m., Major General John C. Breckinridge and his 2,600 troops from Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and Kentucky entered Baton Rouge and began fighting Union forces. The Confederate army forced the Union troops back toward the Mississippi River. But, in order to recapture Baton Rouge, the Confederates needed their iron clad ram, the C.S.S. Arkansas to destroy all the Union ships on the river. The Arkansas, however, suffered engine trouble and was burned and set adrift by its crew four miles upriver from Baton Rouge. Unharmed, the U.S. S. Essex and four other Union gunboats bombarded the Confederate troops until they withdrew and marched out of Baton Rouge that same day. Among the soldiers that fell was Brigadier General Williams and A.G. Todd, half-brother of Mary Todd Lincoln, President Lincoln’s wife.

For further information contact the Foundation for Historical Louisiana at 387-2464.

Schedule of Events August 9th.


The Foundation for Historical Louisiana invites the public to attend a patriotic ceremony at Historic Magnolia Cemetery this weekend. The free event is scheduled from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. on Saturday, August 9, at Historic Magnolia Cemetery, located at Florida Boulevard and 19th Street.

The 25th annual program will feature a color guard, cannon firing, wreath laying, taps, a vocalist, and civil war enthusiasts in period dress. Colonel Philemon St. Amant II, U.S. Army (Retired) will be the guest speaker. There will be a tent, chairs, and water available. Civil War books and heritage items will be on sale from the Foundation for Historical Louisiana’s museum store. Families are encouraged to attend. This year in addition to the regular ceremony a memorial to the victims of the yellow fever epidemic laid to rest in a mass grave will be unveiled. The monument is a project of the Foundation for Historical Louisiana, BREC, and the Mid-City Redevelopment Alliance. For further information contact the Foundation for Historical Louisiana at 387-2464 or visit www.fhl.org



Master of Ceremonies
Ory Poret
Chairman, Historic Magnolia Cemetery Trustees
Member, Board of Directors, Foundation for Historical Louisiana

This program is dedicated to the memory of Dot Lewis for her many years of
service to Historic Magnolia Cemetery.

Presentation for Colors and Flag-Raising
Chip Landry, Coordinator

U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard
Sgt. Jason S. Pitts, Commanding

Louisiana State Militia
Chip Landry, Commanding

Westside Honor Guard
Bernie LeBlanc, Commanding

Pledge of Allegiance
Frank Warren, President, Gen. Philemon Thomas Chapter,
Sons of the American Revolution

Invocation
W.T. Winfield, Past Chairman,
Mid City Historical Cemeteries Coalition

Vocal Offering
“Star Spangled Banner”
Marliese Samuel
Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church
Port Allen, LA

Introduction of Guest Speaker
Lenore Feeney, Chair,
Foundation for Historical Louisiana

Guest Speaker
Colonel Philemon St. Amant II,
U.S. Army (Retired)

Wreath-Laying by the United Daughters of the Confederacy
Rachael Grace, President,
Joanna Waddill Chapter, UDC
Interested parties may now place small flags or flowers on graves.

Comments on Obelisk Honoring Yellow Fever Victims of 1878 Laid to Rest in Historic Magnolia Cemetery
Memorial Remarks: Robert F. Epperson, Director of Park Operations,
Baton Rouge Recreation and Park Commission

Assisted by: Shelly Roy, Chairman, Mid-City Historical Cemeteries Coalition
Larry Gates, Cemetery Board Member

Firing of Salute and Retirement of Colors

Rifle Volley

Fifth Company, Washington Artillery of New Orleans,
Sixth Massachusetts Battery
Captain Glen Harrison, Commanding

Fenner’s Louisiana Battery
Major Reinhard Dearing, Commander
Captain Donnis Davis, Section Commander

Taps
John W. Wilbert, Jr.

Acknowledgements
Carolyn Bennett, Executive Director, Foundation for Historical Louisiana

Benediction
Rev. Nina Russell (Retired), Cemetery Board Member

Vocal Offering
“God Bless America”
Marliese Samuel

Retire Colors

Closing Remarks
Ory Poret


Donations to our cemetery fund are gratefully appreciated.

FROM URL on August 1, 2008:
http://www.fhl.org/FHL/Home/CurrentEvent.shtm