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Louis Vieux Cemetery Restoration  by Tom Laidlaw:  Sept. 23, 1999
I am extremely happy to report the great restoration of this historic cemetery which was carried out by the Pottawatomie County Historical Preservation Society during the last year. The society commissioned the new stones and the work was done by Rodney Biesenthal of the Pottawatomie County Weed Department. New and repaired stones once again mark the graves of Louis Vieux, his family, and others buried in the cemetery more than 100 years ago. The cemetery was vandalized last October, but the vandals were swiftly caught and ordered to provide restitution. Addtional funds came from donors as far away as Illinois, and from Oregon Trail enthusiasts who want to see all such historical sites preserved.

vieux01

Photo taken Oct. 3, 1998

Photo taken Aug. 24, 1999

The Vandal Hands of Man
From Susan Campbell (A Louis Vieux Descendant)--Oct. 1999

"The 4 people who vandalized the cemetery were ages 15, 16, 17 and 18. I think what really upset me was the extent to which they carried out the destruction, not only tipping stones and stomping on them (which is how they caught the 18-year old, the shoe print was very obvious) to break them, but then they threw the stones. Many of the pieces landed outside the cemetery fence and were shattered. And many cannot be repaired."

As a matter of fact most of the stones could not be repaired, but the pieces were put together flat on the ground so we can still see the original designs. The original stones of the Nadeau family are still standing and can be seen peeking through the new stones.
The preservation group has more improvements planned for the site including a protected visitor's center and more interpretive signs including more hisory of the Vieux family and the Pottawotamie Indians. In addition to the Louis Vieux Cemetery, a series of stones marked "Soldier" were placed near the Vieux Elm. I do not know the story of these, can someone help me out. When I find out I will update this page. Also in the area, a little closer to the Vermilion River, is what is called the Cholera Cemetery, where several victims were buried in 1848 or 1849. Only three stones remain and they are protected by a chain link fence.

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