Hendricks County Indiana Stilesville Cemetery, Stilesville, Indiana By Marjorie Hampton 10-29-1996 According to a legend handed down by the early white settlers, the first burials along Mill Creek were of 14 Indians who died after eating corn that had set all night in a copper kettle. Stones that were their monuments are still present in the Stilesville Cemetery. The wife of Jeremiah Stiles was buried first on the west side of Mill Creek and later moved to the east bank after waters exposed her coffin. Mr. Stiles donated four acres on the east side as a burial ground. Her stone is dated 1-16-1827. Ther first records that were saved dated April 15, 1924. Members present were Smith Montgomery, Elija Brewer, Franz Whicker, Frank Johnson, Afred Cosner and Ed McCollum. They hired Frank Lineberry as sexton for one year and gave him $14.00 to mow one time, 20 cents per cubic foot for foundation work and 25 cents per hour for other work. My husband, Morris Hampton, was appointed as a member of the Stilesville Cemetery Association in 1957. His father, Glen Hampton, was the Secretary-Treasurer-Mamager and after his death in 1971 Morris inherited his place on the board. The assocation is goverend by a sevne member board that meets once a year, or on-call, to discuss the financial reports, the upkeep and future growth of the 15 acre cemetery. Between 3 and 4 thousand persons are buried there, including some 300 veterans of different wars. The first records show that graves sold 8 for $10.00. Now in 1996, the price is $300 for each grave and $300 for the opening. The cemetery is fianaced by donations and from the sale of graves. Money given through wills, trusts, and individual contributions given by people who care about it's upkeep have kept it finanacially sound. There are about 35-40 burials per year. Last year it was mowed and trimmed 24 times at the cost of $7200 or about $300 each time. The mowing is now contracted by Brad Comer. The association owns a truck and a backhoe and has built a building, put in lights and road signs. The Oddfellows Lodge at one time owned and cared for a section still called the Odd Fellows Section. Paul Johnson gave one acre to the cemetery. Some land was purchased from the Clearwater's family. Thinking of a "job description" of the secretary- treasurer, I came up with this: Keeping record of the meetings and record of the money invested, the bookkeeping involved with the expenses and income, consulting other board members about problems that arise, taking calls about selling graves and burials, of keeping up-to-date the maps of the location of graves and assisting; in laying off graves, and collecting the money at time of burial. For this he is paid a small fee. I am sometimes jealous of the time this involves, but especially since retirement it provides something to stay interested in and keeps him in touch with his hometown friends. You would be surprised at the calls we get and some unusual things that have happened. Some of the calls are complaints about the upkeep, about flowers being stolen, of stones being damaged etc. Many calls are from people keeing information about their family records. Recently arrangements were made for the remains buried in a farm plot to be moved to a plot in the cemetery. Sometimes were receive boxes from the Post Office containing ashes for burial. He has had calls asking about burial for pets. Once when he went for a burial he found the vault men in a panic. A dog had fallen in the grave and was giving them a hard time. Mostly people are appreciative and generous. They tell hime when the cemetery looks nice as well as when it doesn't. Some years it seems impossible to keep up due to the rainy weather. He may just run on to someone who will hand him a check for the cemetery fund in appreciation of and for continuing care and upkeep. Recently a new flag pole and a flag have been donated. The present board members are: Morris Hampton, Raymond Arnold, Gene Cooper, Keith Brock, Barney Stanley, Jeff Arnold and Jim Williams. Past board members are: Glenn Hampton, Basil West, Cyril Pruitt, Roy West, Theodore Mullis, Howard McCellan, Noble Terrell, Horace Robinson, Floyd Fisher, and Vern Parker. Loren Kivett is remembered as a long time caretaker and Gene Cooper who has cared for mowing and grave digging presently serves as caretaker and board member. 1999 Eighteen acres of adjoining property was purchased from Ray Johnson. The price was $35000 bought on contract with no interest. Two payments of $7000 each have been made. Morris has updated the maps and lists of burials and Charles Cooper has put the lists on computer. It has since been distributed to the internet. The computer list is maintained each year by Kris Brock. July 2000 In the last four years several things have been added to the cemetery history. Jim Williams, board member is deceased. Jeff Arnold is no longer a member of the board. New members are Eric Vaughn, Donald Reitzel and Kris Brock is the newly appointed secretary-treasurer. Lots now sell for $350 and openings at $350. After over 40 years with the cemetery assocation, Morris is handing the records over to Kris but will stay with the association as a board member. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Kris Brock (© 2000 Kris Brock)