Cemetery committee finds hundreds of unmarked graves; commissioners approve trailer purchase for ground-penetrating radar work

The Ash County Cemetery Committee told the Board of Commissioners April 20 that its recently acquired ground-penetrating radar has identified hundreds of previously unmarked graves across multiple historic cemeteries, and the board approved buying an enclosed trailer to support the program.

Committee members described GPR work in multiple locations — Solomon Jones in Wall Springs, Burgess family site, Zion in Fleetwood, Three Top, Baloo in Grassy Creek, Farrington in Laurel Springs and Chestnut Hill — and said they have located roughly 6 or 700 unmarked graves so far on the county’s cemetery map. The committee reported one site that was previously estimated to contain 30–40 graves actually yielded 83 graves between two adjacent cemetery parcels.

Committee members said the hospital has agreed to adopt and fence one cemetery on its property, and towns and volunteers have cooperated in other preservation efforts. They asked the board to authorize purchasing a trailer to transport the GPR unit and related supplies; a commissioner moved to authorize a purchase order up to $4,000 for an enclosed trailer, to be housed on county property with funds from the public‑buildings line in the current budget. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Committee members and commissioners discussed operational details: training, recent use by the sheriff’s office and the town of Jefferson, GPR performance in wet conditions, the need for signage at identified sites, and fencing and maintenance responsibilities for landowners. Commissioners encouraged work with county offices to tag and insure the trailer and ensure secure storage.

The committee emphasized volunteer support and donations as the primary resources enabling the work. Members said they will continue GPR surveys and meet with the landowner of a recently identified site that currently lacks a fence and is exposed to livestock.