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On my 1998 Oregon Trail trek in October, I delighted in taking the Oregon Trail Road all the way from St. Mary's, Kansas to the Louis Vieux Cemetery. Here I was thrilled to see the Vieux Elm still thriving on at least one arm. But I was also shocked and very disheartened to see the wanton destruction of the cemetery. Here is some news from Lesley Wischman and Susan Campbell of Seattle, a Vieux relative. |
I know most of you have heard about the vandalism to the Vieux cemetery in Kansas that occurred a few months back. Susan Campbell, a Vieux descendant, recently sent me some more information on this which I wanted to share with you. |
 From
Susan Campbell:
"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.
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 I have heard nothing new about the trials. I have heard
that the Noxious Weeds "person" (I don't know if he's the Controller or just
what the rest of his official title is) continues to work with the
historical society in Westmoreland as well
as the county commissioners in restoring the large Louis Vieux monument and
replacing the smaller stones. He showed one of the stones to us and if you
rub your thumb along the new fracture the stone comes off as sand. We're
working on the wording on one of the stones; it was very hard to read even
before it was damaged. The county prosecuting attorney's office is keeping
in touch with us by mail and I've heard from the local newspaper editor as
well."
Susan lives in Seattle but was born and raised in Wichita. She is also currently making plans to write a book on the Vieux family. In any case, she promised to keep us informed about the vandalism trial and I will let you know whatever I hear.-
Lesley Wischmann |
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Louis
Vieux Cemetery Vandalism
The Vandal Hands of
Man