Hunt [Old] Cemetery  Vernon Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by Jane McManus



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HUNT (OLD) CEMETERY - Vernon Parish

From LA Hwy. 28 in Leesville turn north onto LA Hwy. 117 toward Kurtwood.  
Go approximately 10.0 miles to home of Rayford West (# 3382 on left side 
of highway). Stop here and ask for directions, as there are many twists 
and turns on unimproved dirt roads and no prominent markings to direct 
an individual to the precise location of the Hunt burials. To my knowledge,
Rayford & Mary West of Leesville are the only residents in the area who 
can find the spot, which has been abandoned for many years. On the day 
I visited the area, Gene Stephens graciously offered his assistance and 
his truck, while Rayford and his wife, Mary, led us through the maze.
Without this assistance, I could have wandered in those woods for days 
and never found the two small stones hidden under the brush and trees.

The property currently belongs to Boise Cascade Lumber Company (1994), and 
if the trees in this area are cleared in the future the tombstones could be 
lost forever. As it is now, one tombstone is broken and propped against the 
base, with pieces of the death date missing. In 1976, the inscriptions were 
copied and preserved by local Vernon Parish Historian, Jack Hadnot. According 
to Jack, there were as many as 29 burials in this small graveyard, but only 
two were marked with headstones. Rayford West verified that many years ago, 
there were at least 20 unmarked burials in this area, and before the trees 
became so large he could see them from his house. A debt of gratitude is 
owed to these concerned citizens Rayford & Mary West of Leesville & Gene 
Stephens of Simpson who assisted in this endeavor. Tombstone inscriptions 
were recorded by Jane P. McManus, 9 November 1994.  
(Submitted 17 September 2000.)

Hunt, Austin P. - 29 Aug 1878/19 Nov 1881
        [son of Christopher Columbus "Lum" Hunt & Bethna Brown]


Hunt, C. C. [Christopher Columbus] -11 Nov 1834/27 Mar 1885
        [death date verified from 1976 listing.  H was married 1st to Dollie
        Diller who is also believed to be buried in this cemetery; married
        2nd to Bethna Brown who is buried in Self Cemetery, Leesville]