St. Mary Cemetery suffers more damage as activist Bell presses for justice

Image: Local activist Elmerine Bell points out potential graves that have been marked after a dowsing rod was used to define their location. Many headstones located at Hughes Cemetery, between Italy and Avalon, have been flattened by bulldozers belonging to Creek Land and Cattle Company, a land development business registered in the State of Nevada.

Local activist Elmerine Bell points out potential graves that have been marked after a dowsing rod was used to define their location. Many headstones located at Hughes Cemetery, between Italy and Avalon, have been flattened by bulldozers belonging to Creek Land and Cattle Company, a land development business registered in the State of Nevada. (Barry Byers)

Image: Rex Carey with the Ellis County Historical Commission uses brass dowsing rods to locate possible graves underground after the headstones had been illegally demolished by Creek Land and Cattle Company’s bulldozers. In this photo, the rods criss-cross as Carey approaches another potential unmarked grave.

Rex Carey with the Ellis County Historical Commission uses brass dowsing rods to locate possible graves underground after the headstones had been illegally demolished by Creek Land and Cattle Company’s bulldozers. In this photo, the rods criss-cross as Carey approaches another potential unmarked grave. (Barry Byers)

Image: Pictures are taken and video is recorded of the devastated area that will be presented to the Ellis County Historical Society in the hopes of deeming the site a historical landmark.

Pictures are taken and video is recorded of the devastated area that will be presented to the Ellis County Historical Society in the hopes of deeming the site a historical landmark. (Barry Byers)

Image: A closer view of the broken bottles, pottery and dishes that were once set upon headstones at Hughes Cemetery, headstones now smashed and hoped to be forgotten.

A closer view of the broken bottles, pottery and dishes that were once set upon headstones at Hughes Cemetery, headstones now smashed and hoped to be forgotten. (Barry Byers)

Image: While Elmerine Bell sorts thru the scattered debris, Deborah Franklin, aka Dr. Graveyard (on the right), comments, “This is not a landfill we are standing in. These glass and bottle fragments are here because they decorated the headstones that marked the graves.”

While Elmerine Bell sorts thru the scattered debris, Deborah Franklin, aka Dr. Graveyard (on the right), comments, “This is not a landfill we are standing in. These glass and bottle fragments are here because they decorated the headstones that marked the graves.” (Barry Byers)

Image: Videographer Susan Turner records Bell and Dr. Graveyard as they explain the devastation that has occurred at the cemetery by the bulldozers of the Creek Land and Cattle Company.

Videographer Susan Turner records Bell and Dr. Graveyard as they explain the devastation that has occurred at the cemetery by the bulldozers of the Creek Land and Cattle Company. (Barry Byers)

Image: The truth reminds you with every step.

The truth reminds you with every step. (Barry Byers)

Image: Videographer Susan Turner and Deborah Franklin retrieve evidence for the video which will hopefully put a stop to the crimes being committed by the Creek Land and Cattle Company as its bulldozers continue to destroy sections of Hughes Cemetery.

Videographer Susan Turner and Deborah Franklin retrieve evidence for the video which will hopefully put a stop to the crimes being committed by the Creek Land and Cattle Company as its bulldozers continue to destroy sections of Hughes Cemetery. (Barry Byers)

Image: Elmerine Bell displays a collection of damaged personal items that had been placed on head stones long ago but are now scattered across an empty field.

Elmerine Bell displays a collection of damaged personal items that had been placed on head stones long ago but are now scattered across an empty field. (Barry Byers)

Image: Rex Carey continues the search for unmarked graves in an effort to ensure the loved ones buried at Hughes Cemetery will not be forgotten.

Rex Carey continues the search for unmarked graves in an effort to ensure the loved ones buried at Hughes Cemetery will not be forgotten. (Barry Byers)

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