GROUP TRIES TO SAVE LODGE AT CEMETERY

MOUND CITY, Ill. -- A grass-roots effort has been launched to save the caretaker's lodge at the Mound City National Cemetery.

Veterans from Southern Illinois have joined with other citizens to win a reprieve for the 120-year-old building at the entrance of the 12-acre national cemetery. The cemetery holds the remains of about 7,500 veterans and spouses, including many Civil War soldiers.

The cemetery is under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. Faced with budget cuts, the VA last year decided to raze the lodge.

Built in 1875, the brick lodge once housed an on-site cemetery superintendent. The cemetery now is one of five overseen by VA officials at Jefferson Barracks, Mo. The lodge is vacant.

"The building is still of sound structure," said James M. Larry Sr. of Olmsted. "It's more than 120 years old and reflects a lot of history. We don't want to see it demolished."

Larry is a member of a new group -- Mound City National Cemetery Preservation Commission Inc. -- founded last year to seek preservation of the building.

The building was scheduled to be taken down last year, said Larry. But the VA has promised it will defer the plan as long as the group is working to preserve it.

Directors of the preservation committee include Larry, Clayton Bierbaum of Mound City and F. Ann Nottage of Villa Ridge. Jim Blakemore of Cape Girardeau is chairman of the group.

The VA has estimated it will take more than $250,000 to repair the building, said Ron MacCubbin of Jackson, past chairman of the preservation group.

A major portion of the cost will be to remove or seal off asbestos in the walls.

The group hasn't embarked on a major fund-raising campaign yet, but hopes to start early next spring.

"We've had some small fund raisers to provide funds to get us started," said MacCubbin. "But we've spent this first year getting all our papers as a not-for-profit group in order."

The commission has met monthly, and will hold its next meeting Nov. 6 at the Mound City Fire Department. The December meeting will be held at a site to be announced in Metropolis.

"We've had great response to our effort to save the building," said MacCubbin. "A lot of people have jumped on the bandwagon."

In addition to veterans, members of various church groups, ladies clubs and garden clubs are adding their support.

The goal of the commission is to preserve the building, lease it from the VA and keep it open as a museum and visitor center.

The commission is also looking into expanding the cemetery itself.

"Additional property is available adjoining the cemetery to extend burials into the far future," Larry said.

Anyone interested in contributing to preserving the building and/or expanding the cemetery may send contributions to Mound City National Cemetery Preservation Commission Inc., Box 45, Mound City, Ill. 62963.