LETTERS: OLD CEMETERY DESERVES MEMORIAL

To the editor:

I have been watching the construction progress at the Fruitland exit on Interstate 55 with some interest, because I am aware that many years ago a small cemetery located there was razed to make the entrance ramp going south. I further understand that the tombstones were discarded. Ware Cemetery contains the remains of at least 15 people, including Col. Christopher Hays, a Revolutionary War soldier who served with Gen. George Washington. Colonel Hays also was a member of the panel of judges who laid out the city of Cape Girardeau.

Recently I noticed two tombstones lying on the property near the construction site. They proved to be the tombstones of Paulina Hays, wife of Amos Hays, and of Eve Hays, the wife of Colonel Hays. Because I know it is not likely that all the tombstones can be recovered, I am asking the Missouri Department of Transportation to right a wrong that was done many years ago and allow a small monument containing the names and dates of those known to be buried there to be placed on or near the site of the Ware Cemetery.

I have contacted several organizations as well as U.S. Sen. John Ashcroft, state Sen. Peter Kinder, U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson and state Reps. David Schwab and Mary Kasten to help generate support for this project. Judging from the replies I have received so far, there seems to be strong support to get something done in this regard. If other citizens besides myself would contact our state and federal politicians, as well as the MoDOT office in Sikeston, to ask that this monument be erected, I believe it would help move this project forward. One person's voice rarely gets heard, but a multitude of voices gets things done. I believe it is very important to remember these individuals who contributed not only to this area, but also to our country.

PATTY CHILES

Jackson