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by Brent_Campbell from Winston-Salem

Last Post 48 days, 19 hours Ago


Moving Graves?
Jul 12, 2007 | 4:03 PM
Category: News
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I must admit, today's story falls in the most unusal catagory. The "things you don't see very often" file.  When photographer Kenny and I arrived in Boone at the site of the new Watauga County High School right in the middle of 94 acres of land sat a handful of what was obviously open graves. Each one had been carefully marked and entered.  The remains were slowly and meticulously being placed into much smaller plastic vaults.  It  seemed almost sacreligious in some ways to stand and watch.  As the shovels moved dirt, slowly the outline of a coffin emerged, in a few cases the shape of a skeleton or unrecognizable parts of a human body.  Out of respect we did not show you those images but I can say having seen it, it's something I won't soon forget. Something the Hartley family, who's loved ones we were being uncovered, never wanted to have to remember.

As each grave was documented the remains were removed as the Hartley family gave their ok. Taking pictures and writing down what was inside, the Hartley's were not taking anything away from the graves but perhaps a glance, and from time to time a picture, of their 200 year old relatives.  Their names forgotten or wiped away when the grave markers disappeared years ago.  This was land that was sold to many people over the years, land the family never assumed would be developed.  While they all knew the graveyard was somewhere around, until the threat of development, they didn't know how much history was buried there.

Since the Hartley's don't own the land, they now have no choice but to watch as their loved ones peaceful rest is disturbed.  Some tears are being shed, but admitted to us, schools are important and land in Watauga County is at a premium. For that reason, there is no legal fight,  Tthe Hartley's hate the school system saw the land as perfect as their ancestors did years ago.  Now all they can do is work to recover the names, the stories, the history that was buried here and suddenly brought back to life by the needs of the future.

 I wondered as we wrapped up the shoot will we see more of this?  Are large graveyards going to be moved/condensed in other places because so much land is needed for development? Is land at such a premium now that it's too valuable to just be a resting place?  

 

 

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ThackerAgency read my blog view my photos
Jul 12, 2007 | 6:05 PM

I know my family has a plot that's grown up on an old homestead north of Durham where my realatives and their slaves were buried together in the family plot. It used to have gravestones, but they are gone now. I know who they are through my parents and geneology.

It is a shame that they have to do this. Those mountain people had to endure amazing condtions to live and establish the community that the students enjoy today. I am certain that those in the grave would have wanted to give their plots for a school. However, if it were something else like a shopping center - I'd hope that the family would put up more of a fight. I am glad that they at least recognized the burial ground and didn't just build right over the top of them.

I know we have disturbed many old Native American sacred sites. I would hope that everything is done to avoid disturbing ancient or just old burial sites for development in the future.
paulwildwolf read my blog view my photos
Jul 12, 2007 | 6:36 PM

i hate to this have to happen i think they do not need to put a school over a graveyard cause you not make those spirit r.i.p. at all and some people will get hurt from some spirit lot of different way it happen to me few time when i spirit went threw me and i still feel lot different when that happen it's hard to put that in words cause it's different what i feel then someone feel and even see some of there past life what they have done and how they past way i do not want any kids go threw this if they are not ready for something like that you guy make think that is hog wash but it's true i have one of my friend have a spirit went threw him and he started see stuff when nothing there at all it last for him 2 hour for it to stop that was after we lest this house.
homeschoolmom read my blog view my photos
Jul 12, 2007 | 8:08 PM

My heart goes out to this family. This just doesn't seem right. If I was wealthy, I would buy the land and give it to them. That would be such a difficult thing to go through!
JQPublix read my blog view my photos
Jul 12, 2007 | 10:34 PM

I have no idea if it is, but could this be due to the Environmental Social scientists at work? Certain areas in this state are now zoned to be environmentally protected to not allow development. How would they miss this?
seaangelrainqueen read my blog view my photos
Jul 13, 2007 | 8:47 AM

This is terrible, and my sympathy goes out to the ancestors that will hold a memorial "across the road" at the new burial site. What was "needed" to be built over these graves sites was the "ball field". Why couldn't it have been constructed "across the road"? I know, I heard them say that it would mean that the school would have to buy more property, but I'm sure that "sifting through the remains of the graves" is costing just as much as buying other property. Just because the graveyard was so old that there were no longer markers, and the "scientists had to use radar" to find the graves, doesn't make it less of a place of memorial to those whose family(ancestors) are buried there. Someone needs to wake up and realize that we, as humans, are "outgrowing" our boundaries when they have to start "building over hallowed ground".
seaangelrainqueen read my blog view my photos
Jul 13, 2007 | 8:49 AM

And, may I add the "Mass Memorial" across the road, will be held in September.
seaangelrainqueen read my blog view my photos
Jul 13, 2007 | 9:47 AM

Brent, a note for you, that had to be a really hard story to do. I respect your ability to keep "the news about news", but it had to be very emotionally draining, to see those family member watching the moving of their ancestors' remains. You are a good reporter, and I think it is because you "care" about the problems behind the story. Thank you for your caring spirit that comes through the lens each time you do a story for the news!
Brent_Campbell read my blog view my photos
Jul 13, 2007 | 10:20 AM

Thanks so much seaangelrainqueen! You are too kind! It was a draining story, but I must admit very interesting. That is a lengthy process, very time consuming and they have to be very precise and careful. Getting a chance to understand how that happens was interesting. I can say that is the one thing about this job I love. I learn something new and meet some of the most amazing, unique and wonderful people everyday. It's great! The Hartley family was charming, warm and very compassionate. They obviously love family history and boy did they know a lot! Thanks for your kind words and for being an active part of this discussion and the story!
catamount read my blog
Jul 13, 2007 | 10:39 AM

I realize I am in the minority here, but I have never understood why so much land is being used for burials. There is only so much land here on Earth. I plan to be cremated, and the ashes can be put wherever. Besides, only my soul lives on anyway.
seaangelrainqueen read my blog view my photos
Jul 13, 2007 | 11:14 AM

Thank you, Brent, for taking the time to reply to my comment. Yes, the Hartley family must be very "special", and I know if it were my ancestors, I would want to be there during this, too. catamount, I'm planning to be cremated too! At first, my mother had a "fit" (LOL), but even now she "understands" that when I die, my soul will not be in that body, it is just a shell. I plan to have my ashes scattered along where the ocean meets the shore, by each of my children and family who wants to participate. That way, they'll always know that when they see the ocean, Momma is where she loved to be the most! (And I told them that they had better never be sad there, because I never have been!) My father was cremated because of him and I discussing this very thing, and you wouldn't believe the "mess" that is constantly brought up about his ashes! I'll be glad when we can go to Kentucky and spread them, as he wished.
Ken_Cravens read my blog view my photos
Jul 13, 2007 | 2:16 PM

I am photographer Kenny with Brent every day. This story was one Brent and I wanted to do as soon as we heard about it; both from a curiosity point of view and to get the story out to the masses. I, too, wonder how long the land we have will last without seeing more old cemetaries moved for the sake of progress. I will post some still pictures of the shoot as soon as I get a moment to upload them.
P.S. seaangelrainqueen, where in Kentucky does you father wish to have his ashes spread?
seaangelrainqueen read my blog view my photos
Jul 13, 2007 | 3:51 PM

Ken, you did a great job filming this!!! And Brent is just such a "caring person" that I'm sure it is a pleasure working with him. My dad was from Muhlenberg County, KY, in a little town called Graham. He wanted his ashes spread over the graves of his father, mother, and sister (who died when she was 7 yrs. old, I was named after her). I've got to check with the cemetary (which is very small, too) and make sure that it will be allowed. But some of my half-siblings want to "bury the ashes" there. That wasn't what he said he wanted, and that's why I mentioned the "mess" that is always brought up. I'm planning to ask if we can put a "marker" that his ashes are spread there, when I speak with the cemetary chapel. Are you from Kentucky? The area I'm speaking of is in southcentral (a little more to the west) Kentucky. A very old song was written about Muhlenberg County and the Peabody Coal Co.
Ken_Cravens read my blog view my photos
Jul 13, 2007 | 7:17 PM

Sea angel, I know all about Muhlenberg County... I grew up in Owensboro, KY. I went to Western Kentucky University and worked at WBKO-TV in Bowling Green for 5 years before moving here. I covered events in Central City and Greenville, which if memory serves correct is Muhlenberg County. There used to be some bad flooding in that area with the Rough River.
We (Owensboro High School) used to have some mean games against Muhlenberg North in basketball. It's a small world isn't it?
seaangelrainqueen read my blog view my photos
Jul 13, 2007 | 7:37 PM

Oh, cool, I have an aunt who lives in Owensboro and one who lives in Bowling Green!!! My cousin was in the band and went to a competition that she allowed me to attend at WKU! Jeez, Central City and Greenville, I even have relatives still there, too! It's a very small world!!! We moved to Henderson, across the Ohio River from Evansville, Indiana, when I was 13 yrs. old, and my parents could hardly wait until the school year ended to move back to Danville, VA, because they said this was more like home to them (they came from KY when they got married, and I was born in Greensboro 5 yrs. later). Wow, this is really cool!!! WKU is a GREAT school, too!!! I remember taking the "turnpike" sometimes when we would go from Henderson to Greenville. Please, keep in touch! I'm always blogging! (Just ask anybody, LOL!)
seaangelrainqueen read my blog view my photos
Jul 13, 2007 | 7:57 PM

Ken, yes, Central City and Greenville are both in Muhlenberg County. The song I was referring to is by John Prine named "Paradise". I just gave my daughter chills, when I read this to her. We may be related, do you have any Vincents or Hendersons in your family? It would really be a small world then, would it?
Ken_Cravens read my blog view my photos
Jul 13, 2007 | 8:30 PM

Very cool Sea angel. I'll have to check the family tree to see if you're in there...

I promised everyone I'd share some photos of the trip to Boone so here ya go.

[img]http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1032/803661346_8bd6
eca4a1.jpg[/img]

[img]http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1227/803666334_42cc
527c98.jpg[/img]

[img]http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1251/802775145_57cb
fa4e50.jpg[/img]

I hope this works. I guess you can't edit after hitting done can you?
Ken_Cravens read my blog view my photos
Jul 13, 2007 | 8:31 PM

Nope didn't work.
seaangelrainqueen read my blog view my photos
Jul 13, 2007 | 9:02 PM

Talk to David Weatherly, he knows how to post his videos and pictures.
seaangelrainqueen read my blog view my photos
Jul 14, 2007 | 4:05 PM

Okay, Ken, I saw your photographs of the "moving of the graves" and the other photos (beautiful daughters and sunsets!) that you have on your blog site. If anyone wants to see them, click on Ken_Cravens camera, and it will take you there. They are really, really good! Yes, this family cared a lot about their ancestors, as can be seen in these pictures! Thank you for sharing!!!
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Brent_Campbell

Yes, in case you can't tell, I am from the South! I'm originally from Davie County, grew up in the area and feel lucky to be back home. I have worked at FOX8 for 9 years as the Winston-Salem Bureau Chief and helped manage our partnership with the Winston-Salem Journal. Before coming to FOX8 I worked at ABC/WPDE in Myrtle Beach. While I like the beach, I love the mountains. I graduated from App State, the three time National Football Champions! I have two dogs, Jake a Golden Retriever and Sydney a Siberian Husky. I love college sports and am the head cheer coach at Wake Forest.

Member Since: 7/18/2006


 

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