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Vandals damage more than 20 tombstones in Mount Vernon cemetery

BY BECKY MALKOVICH
THE SOUTHERN

Thursday, January 12, 2006 6:38 AM CST

MOUNT VERNON - Mount Vernon police are investigating the "senseless act" of vandalism that left more than 20 tombstones damaged - some irreparably - in one of the city's oldest cemeteries.

According to a press release from the Mount Vernon Police Department, the damage was discovered just before 4:30 a.m. Monday in the West Salem Cemetery, located in the 4200 block of Broadway Street near Interstate 57 on the city's west side.

Police discovered the headstones pushed over and knocked off their bases. At least five gravestones were damaged beyond repair, police said.

Terry Schwitz, a member of the West Salem Cemetery Association, was called to inspect the damage at about 6:30 a.m.

"At least 18 of the taller stones, what I call spires, were knocked over and three stones were broken in half," he said. "I think about 25 stones in all were damaged."

An early 1800s gravestone was among those vandalized, police said.

The vandalism, the third incidence at the cemetery in the past 15 years, left Schwitz bewildered.

"I don't know what to think of someone who would do something like this," Schwitz said. "This is a senseless act and it's so hurtful to the families who have people buried here. It just makes no sense at all."

Schwitz said concerned family members have visited the cemetery to check on the damage and several people have offered to help repair the stones, as did the J.W. Reynolds Monument Co.

"Who would do something like this? I just hope someone is out there who will come forward with information so police can make an arrest," he said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Mount Vernon Police Department at (618) 242-2131 or (618) 242-0215 or Jefferson County Crime Stoppers at (618) 242-TIPS (8477). Information shared with Crime Stoppers may be made anonymously and any information that leads to the arrest may make the caller eligible for a cash reward.

beckym@onecliq.net

(618) 927-5633