... As most of you know last year in July, 1994 Rock Church Cemetery suffered considerable damage, when it was vandalized by five young people, averaging in age from 13 to 18 years old.  These reckless vandals turned over 80 headstones, destroying several which were over 100 years old.

Since that time they have been apprehended and some were brought to trial.  They were charged with Desecration of a Venerable Object, which in the State of Texas, carries a felony charge, and if convicted, can carry up to a 10 year prison sentence and a $10,000.00 fine.

Hood County District Attorney Richard HATTOX, who spoke at our homecoming last year in October, did everything he could to get the maximum sentence, when one of the vandals (18 years old) came to trial in August this year, and was tried as an adult.

Unfortunately, one juror held out, who did not want to sentence an 18 year old to prison, and influenced other jury members to compromise.  The jury set a seven year probated sentence and a $5,000.00 fine, with $1,000.00 in restitution to be repaid.  After the trial, the culprit immediately left Texas in charge of his father and went back to Georgia.

All those who were under age have been tried as juveniles, and also given probated sentences.  Two other men will be tried as adults at a later date on the same charges.

We want to thank everyone who responded last year to our cry for help about the cemetery being desecrated.  The response was tremendous and about $3,000.00 was raised, which helped to cover the expenses for repairing and resetting headstones.

A donation to the Rock Church Cemetery Trust Fund helps with year round maintenance and repairs, which are paid from the interest on the trust fund, founded from personal donations made by many of our pioneer forefathers and yearly donations which are collected at the annual Rock Church Homecoming.  If you are unable to attend and would like to make a donation, please send to the attention of our treasurer, LaRue OAKS, at her Stephenville address ...

A special thanks is extended to Forest CARAWAY, Kenneth MORRIS and Mr. H.A. MITCHELL for working to repair damages done by the vandals to the cemetery.  These gentlemen worked many long hours in the hot sunshine to see that repairs were completed before the 1994 homecoming ...

SOURCE:

Janet L. Saltsgiver, Rock Church Cemetery Association newsletter, 15 Sep 1995.




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This page last updated 20 Nov 2004.