Richie (anonymous) says...

To quote Charlie Brown, "Good Grief!"

October 18, 2011 at 1:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

lena (Lena Bass) says...

my son age 23 is buried in the older part and I know he would of loved the idea of it all. I can not understand why some people just can't understand there was no disrespect intended. I would say more, but do not want to lower my self and get kicked off here.
But if I saw no problem, then maybe others should lighten up, also

October 18, 2011 at 1:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jasper007 (anonymous) says...

Although some may think this idea as dis-respectful, I would have LOVED do have done this!
Let's just hope this is worked out in time for it to happen! I would really like to know about some of Emporia's past prominents and what a wonderful idea to do so!
Congratulations Mr. Jordon and all who thought up this idea. This story should be great for advertising this event! I am looking forward to attending!

October 18, 2011 at 2:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

create (anonymous) says...

No kidding, good grief! People who live in the dark ages must have their way I suppose. Too bad.

My husband is buried there and knowing him, he is saying "good grief" too. He'd have loved the parade.

I wonder if these people who are bitching go to see their loved ones' graves very often. I'll bet they'd never have a parade for them.

What a shame.

October 18, 2011 at 2:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Malique (anonymous) says...

Stupid old people!

October 18, 2011 at 2:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

sail (anonymous) says...

I guess im just not one the the enlighted ones, I thought the idea was crass.

October 18, 2011 at 3:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

sandman (anonymous) says...

Now,now, Malique....please don't put us "ole" people all in the same group even though we may need to belong!!!:-) As a child, I had a friend who lived two doors down from the cemetary (where my parents are now buied) going down and playing, then running like mad because we saw a ghost!!!! I believe it would be interesting to know some of the stories of the past and yes, my husband is buried there but if alive, he would be among the "flashlight" users!!!!

October 18, 2011 at 3:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

sail, hah hah crass.

Origin of CRASS
Latin crassus thick, gross
First Known Use: circa 1625

Related to CRASS
Synonyms: common, coarse, crude, gross, ill-bred, illiberal [archaic], incult, insensible, low, lowbred, lowbrow, raffish, rough, rough-hewn, roughneck, rude, rugged, tasteless, uncouth, uncultivated, uncultured, unpolished, unrefined, vulgar

Antonyms: civilized, cultivated, cultured, genteel, polished, refined, smooth, tasteful, ultrarefined, well-bred

Related Words: boorish, churlish, cloddish, clownish, loutish, ungentlemanly; clumsy, lubberly, lumpish, oafish; inconsiderate, indelicate, insensitive, thoughtless; countrified (also countryfied), provincial, rustic (also rustical), unsophisticated; graceless, inelegant, tacky; animallike, barbaric, barbarous, uncivilized; mannerless, unmannered, unmannerly

Near Antonyms: aristocratic, courtly, patrician; elegant, graceful, restrained; considerate, gracious, sensitive, thoughtful; citified, sophisticated, urbane

Rhymes with CRASS
ass, bass, brass, class, frass, gas, glass, grass, lass, mass, pass, sass, strass, tasse, vas, wrasse

October 18, 2011 at 3:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

sandman (anonymous) says...

Dear Mr. Parkman,
Yes, respect. You see, my husband is buried there and yes, we respect his memory and name, I and his children. I sincerely don't see where having a SUPERVISED visit is showing disrespect. Wouldn't that be so much better then what has occured in the past, headstone turned over etc??? For you see, there is no heart beating, no brain activity only his ashes, so the respect is caused by his MEMORY. I also believe this would be educational, speaking of the past and what TERRIFIC people we have had in Emporia, Kansas and surrounding area. Do you know there is a part of the cemetary that was used during the Civil War?? Also, other parts that were designated to different groups of the past??? So much history lies there. Again, this is SUPERVISED!!!

October 18, 2011 at 4:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Denise_Dorcey (anonymous) says...

I think it's very unfortunate for Emporia that the Haunted Tour of Maplewood Cemetary had to be cancelled. I think it was a GREAT IDEA and my family intended to participate in it. I hope it can be rescheduled for next year, as is!!! No disrespect, whatsoever. Some in our community need to get a life! Pun intended!

October 18, 2011 at 4:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

methusla (anonymous) says...

Oh Yeah, just like some, thought that spending money on an add in " O " magazine, " Entrance Rocks " and bailing out S&S Meats is/was a " tremendous idea, huh !

And if it weren' t for us " Old " people, there wouldn' t be any " Young " people ...and besides you " Young " people will be " Old People " if you happen to make the right decisions in your " Younger LIfe " !!! Think about that for a while !!! Or as my grandfather used to say " Stick that in your pipe and soke it " .

October 18, 2011 at 5:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Denise_Dorcey (anonymous) says...

Meth, your message doesn't make sense...

October 18, 2011 at 5:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jmac (anonymous) says...

I for one love to roam the cemetery, at all hours. I like to chronicle the old tombstones their and clean them according to historical preservation standards. I have the utmost respect for the dead that are buried there. I have helped clean cemeteries after they were vandalized.

For me their is a lot of history in cemeteries and a guided tour especially one by the historical society would follow certain guidelines.

I for one was looking forward to this event and because some families got offended I have to wait another year.

Get a life people! Are you going to scream if they do it during the day probably so, I am tired of the backward thinking in this town.

I worked on an event in Osawatomie KS called Talking Tombstones it was supposed to be held at the cemetery but weather prevented it. We took a member of the community who was buried there and told their story. It was designed to help raise money to repair the cemetery and another one in town that was damaged by vandals.

Thanks for ruining a great historical event.

October 18, 2011 at 9:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

disgusted1 (anonymous) says...

And people want to know why no one wants to stay or visit Emporia... Cmon people back east and in Louisiana they have tons of guided cemetary tours! No one has had a problem with those. Also, its educational and a lot of the prominent members that are buried there would have probably liked the idea... Get over yourselves and stop killing this town because you are afraid of change for crying out loud

October 18, 2011 at 9:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

fhtcboy (anonymous) says...

How is disrespectful? I mean yes I got alot of family buried there 38 members that I know of but I know there is more ...I study genealogy in my spare time ... and I think this would been a GREAT idea I was looking forward to it because I love history of towns and I grew up in Emporia and I like to know the towns history and the people of the past ;)

October 18, 2011 at 9:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

Oh come on !

Cheese and Rice.

1st off jmac, you may want to not visit a cemetery after dark. Most are posted as no trespassing after dark.

I have no objection to real historical tours of a cemetery. But for safety and respect leave the flashlights and "SPOOKY GADGETS" out of it and do it during the day.

2nd. I am not afraid of change, I embrace it.
But if it means giving up my ideas on respecting those who have passed before me, than NO, I think not.

How many of you disappointed folks would still think this is a good idea if you had just buried a loved one out there on the day of this "spooky tour"?

This was a bad idea, and should have been canceled.

Not only does the ERC want to tax us to death, now they are wanting to make money from the dead.

RIP does mean something folks.

JMO and I'm going to now let it rest in peace.

October 18, 2011 at 10:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

sandman (anonymous) says...

Steve, I so respect your opinion BUT again, I say, this would be SUPERVISED. I have walked that cemetary many times, looking at the headstones, reading what is said and yes, thinking of the past and what that person must have experienced. (especially the older part).. I have also walked other cemetaries, doing the same and have felt no disrespect for the dead, only interest for the past. I do agree, that in the newer area of the cemetary, it should be avoided BUT in the older sections have had many questions concerning the past and would be nice to have someone who is knowledgeable concerning, explain. If the money was to go to the Historical Society, ONLY?.

October 18, 2011 at 11:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

methusla (anonymous) says...

Denise_Dorcey,

After re-reading my comment, I must agree the second paragraph, doesn' t make much sense to me either and I must appologize for that .

Let me try again, but in a different tack.

It would seem, to me that is, that there are quite a few " Young " people out there that believe that " Old " people are just of no use to themselves or anyone and that " Old " people do not have the desire to change or move forward ! However, nothing could be farther from the TRUTH. We " Old/Older " people have learned through the " aging and gaining of experience " to move forward, make changes at a slower well thought out and well planned pace .
What I was trying to say was, the "Young" will eventually get to be " Old " people themselves and will hopefully realize that as you get " Older " and have more of " Life's " experiences, most of you will become " Wiser, Smarter, gain a little more respect for others, living or dead and learn that " Rush/Rash " decisions and the " Rush " to proceed toward an unpredictable " Future " may very well result in disaster, not only for yourselves, but for everyone !
And most of the time the result of Rash/Rush decisions for change, can be a mess that the " Young " have to pay for even into their " Old Age " as well as their " Young " may very well have to pay for as well .

I am not agains " guided tours " of a cemetary as long as it is during the day, well supervised and in smaller groups, as well as respectful and with the permission of whomever owns the cemetary's land.

After all most cemetaries are " Private Property, of sorts. And has permission been asked for and given by the owners of the cemetary in question ?

Who will be liable in case of an injury accident ? It could happen, either day or night .

AAJMO

October 19, 2011 at 8:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

inaweoftheblindness (anonymous) says...

BRAVO....I am glad they canceled this. Do the tour during the day. From the moment I heard about this, I could not believe Emporia would allow any organization to go so low as to disrespect the dead. Some of you say it is not disrespect, shame on you. Using a cemetery for some ghoulish thriller at night to make money? Flashlights and spooky gadgets? Come on...be respectful to those who have passed before us.

October 19, 2011 at 9:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Malique (anonymous) says...

@inaweoftheblindness
Um...how exactly would the tour being done at night be any more disrespectful than a day-time tour? You don't make sense! You have no point! Personally, I think cemeteries are a waste of space. (especially because we can't do anything there without offending the ultra-sensitive conservative crowd)
Why don't you stop worrying about hurting the deceased' feelings? Trust me, they don't care! They're on the next plane of existence. Do you really think they give a hoot about what goes on in some plot full of bones?
I'm tired of conservatives acting like they know what's best... "don't do this or god will be mad", "don't do that or the deceased will get their feelings hurt"... You have no idea what you're talking about so stop claiming to have the answers! Grrrrr! ALL CAPS RAGE!

October 19, 2011 at 10:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

tourguide (anonymous) says...

Get over it, " Historically Spooky " tour. If you want a Historic and Spooky event, just attend a City Commission meeting. You will be able to tell your grand kids you were there the day they Murdered Emporia, and the last meeting I was at was as Spooky as can be. You won't need a flashlight, But I wish I had a Stun Gun.

October 19, 2011 at 11:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

hometownkid (anonymous) says...

I agree with the very first comment on this topic "Good Grief "

October 19, 2011 at 11:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

EmporiaRocks (anonymous) says...

That's a good one, tourguide. LOL!

October 19, 2011 at 11:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

marko (anonymous) says...

not clear how flashlights 'disrespect' the dead. If that is so those solar powered torches that seem to pop up everywhere in graveyards have to go.

October 19, 2011 at 12:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

americus1987 (anonymous) says...

Come on folks, if I were dead, I wouldn't give 2 cents about people roaming around my grave site because I am dead!

October 19, 2011 at 1:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Merry_Carol (anonymous) says...

I'm all in favor of a cemetery tour, but why does it have to wait a whole year? Does it have to be done around Halloween? Can't they have one some afternoon this fall?

I don't have a major opinion on the halloween event. I see no harm. But if it is to be educational, I'd think it would be more effective in the daytime when the layout of the cemetery could be seen along with the rows and rows of headstones. There are sections there that would be interesting to see, but some of that would be lost in the dark.

I guess personally I wouldn't go to one in the dark, just because part of the whole would be lost. During the day there is SO much to learn out there.

In fact, why not have a series of cemetery tours and talks and learn about the place in more detail?

October 19, 2011 at 1:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

marko (anonymous) says...

Thanksgiving is coming up maybe they could work in an angle on that one

October 19, 2011 at 3:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

BigRed (anonymous) says...

Malique,

You've got a mighty big chip on your shoulders. Your prejudices against the elderly and conservatives are showing. I saw nothing in the article to suggest the elderly or conservatives were against this event.

I agree that the "residents" of cemeteries do not care what goes on. However, cemeteries are not for the dead, they are for the friends and family left behind. It seems some of these folks find the notion of a haunted night tour to be in bad taste. I do not believe that requires these people to be "old or "conservatives".

I'm going to go out on a limb here and suggest that you may have some unresolved issues to work out with your parents . . .

October 19, 2011 at 3:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jmac (anonymous) says...

@ steve, guess I need to pay more attention to the signs. Most of the cemeteries I have been in after dark did not have a sign stating the hours.

Some of the tombstones are intersting to view at night because some of them have a glow about them from the way the light hits the stone.

Sure maybe the wording was wrong but I see nothing wrong with a flashlight tour of a historical cemetery in the early evening hours.

Just my .02 cents on the matter
jeremy

October 19, 2011 at 4:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Malique (anonymous) says...

BigRed,
Sorry about Chip. I probably feed him too many crackers as he has gotten pretty big lately. Arrrgh, matey!
I do like some old and/or conservative people. I usually tolerate their nonsense talk. (Obama death camps and the like) It just seems like lately it's always some old conservative (the two letters to the editor where from old dudes) who is crying about something and ruining the fun for the rest of us. Example: Sunday liquor sales. I guarantee it wasn't the young liberal crowd who banned booze on Sunday. Why can't they keep their beliefs to themselves and let us have our fun? (shakes fist in air) They have no good reason for objecting; it's always some sort of moral dilemma for them. What they don't get is we don't share their beliefs.

October 19, 2011 at 5:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

BigRed (anonymous) says...

I personally have no problem with the tour, nor with Sunday liquor sales. (Unfortunately, Carry Nation lives on.)

I agree that Emporia has major issues they need to straighten out, but I don't see them as being liberal issues nor conservative issues. The problem I see is that the desires of a few take precedence over the needs of the many.

It's a problem that needs to be resolved before Emporia goes belly-up. I think they are at critical mass now and if some real changes aren't made soon, it may be too late.

October 19, 2011 at 5:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

custom (anonymous) says...

This was a far better idea than having alcohol at the hospital.

October 19, 2011 at 7:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

custom (anonymous) says...

The people buried there would probaly LOVE to have somebody come visit.

October 19, 2011 at 7:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

JustWondering (anonymous) says...

Get real folks! Everyone seems to think that a "supervised, historical tour" was cancelled. If this had been planned as an historical tour for people to learn about former residents it would NOT have been scheduled at night, near Halloween with "spooky gadgets" being handed out. This was just another haunted house designed to make money for the ERC and historical society.

I think a real historical tour, without the haunted house aspects would be great.

October 19, 2011 at 11:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

sandman (anonymous) says...

JustWondering, I do agree with what you have written. I truly figured they were doing at night simply to draw in more of a crowd, thus money. I would have left the "Spooky gadgets" alone for I was more interested concerning the history. I do like a "daylight" tour because we could then see the tombstones and read what they have written. Also, would like it to be warmer...not wanting to freeze.

Meth, in response to a question. The last I knew, the owners of the cemetery are out east, having management here. I was so very shocked when I first heard this, thinking it would be owned by the city. I did like an article written recently concerning the roads one must take, once inside, they are TERRIBLE!!!! Having done some traveling, my late husband and I would often stop and walk threw the towns cemetery, searching for the older part. So many times you would learn concerning its history, plus the upkeep of the grounds/roads
would show the communities respect level for the dead and the living, visiting. Afraid the roads do not speak highly of Emporia, Kansas, they are a nightmare!!!!.

October 20, 2011 at 12:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

methusla (anonymous) says...

sandman,

Whoever owns the cemetery, is actually a moot point, I do know it is basically owned by I believe it is Charter Funeral's Inc., and I believe it is located in Kansas City, Mo..

And I agree the cemetary roads are atroshious and that is one reason why I believe a night time tour may be a very unwise and dangerous undertaking.

I also believe that this whole plan of a nighttime Halloween tour was nothing but a money making venture by the ERC and was not thought out very well.

If this is, was to be an historical/learning tour, why was the tour not conducted solely by the Emporia Historical Society or the Historical Museum itself and why does the ERC have to be involved, afterall a cemetary is not a " Playground or a Ballfield " ??

JMO

October 20, 2011 at 8:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Malique (anonymous) says...

You're right, methusla, it's much too dangerous for kids to go outside at night. They might trip and skin their knees! Ouchy! They're better off staying at home playing video games where they are safe and sound.
Let's make sure we restrict cemetrery tours to the daylight hours on fair days only and we should also line the roads with some sort of padding in case the kids should fall.

October 20, 2011 at 9:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

b3bill (anonymous) says...

A letter to The Gazette earlier this year described the frustration of a family member about the poor maintenance at the cemetery. She had received no cooperation from Charter Funeral Home (if they are the ones responsible).

The poor condition of the driveways, dead trees that should have been removed well over 2 years ago, etc. make the place look awful. There is no excuse for it, and I hope those responsible for the maintenance are held accountable and forced to get the place into better shape. I can't think of any other cemetery I've been to around here with poorer driveway conditions.

I think it was a very poor choice for the ERC and the Historical Society to try to be making money from a cemetery tour and making the tour into an outdoor Halloween event.

October 20, 2011 at 10:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Malique (anonymous) says...

They can't stop us from doing a virtual tour!
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=...

October 20, 2011 at 11:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Malique (anonymous) says...

Take a "drive" down this soggy road!
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=...
Yikes! How disrespectful. (rolls eyes)

October 20, 2011 at 11:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

methusla (anonymous) says...

Malique/enry,

I will ask the question again, " Who would be " Liable " for any and all accidents that may occur on such a night time, Halloween, flashlight, spooky gadget, tour ?

Would the Liability fall to Charter Funerals, Inc., the ERC or the local Historical Society ?

You seem to believe that you have superior intelligence, so what would your expert opinion be, as to who would/should bear the " Liability " in case of an accident on such a tour, either a daytime tour or a nighttime tour and who would be willing to bear the " Liability " for such a tour, if accidents should occur ?

I believe that Charter Funerals, Inc., the ERC and the Local Historical Society should and would want to know who would be " Liable " for any accidents that may occur on such a tour and I also believe this is an aspect that none of the above have seriously thought about !

JMO

October 20, 2011 at 11:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

methusla (anonymous) says...

Even if a public tour were to take place, there should be a release form of liability, that those wanting to take the tour would have to sign that would absolve those conducting, forming, putting together such a tour and who ever owns the cemetery from any and all liability, arising from any and all mishaps, accidents or any injuries incurred from such mishaps, accidents or any and all injuries occuring on such a tour of said cemetary !

JMO

October 20, 2011 at 11:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Malique (anonymous) says...

methusla,
Who would be liable now if I take a stroll through the cemetery in the daylight and stub my toe on a headstone causing me to trip and bust my face on the adjacent stone?
If the place is open to the public, I would assume the owners of the property would be responsible. After all, they initially signed-off on this tour idea, so they gave their blessing.
Or...we could all just take responsibility for our own actions. The cemetery is dangerous and people know this. They are taking the risk upon themselves going there. They are aware of the risks and they have put themselves in that position, so they are responsible for the consequences of their own actions. Sorta like going into a smoke-filled bar; you know the danger, so it's your responsibility to avoid it. That's what I always say.

October 20, 2011 at 1:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jafo (anonymous) says...

The only reason I can see the ERC getting involved would be to make money. Of course i'm sure they had plans of using some of thier college age employees to do some haunting.

October 20, 2011 at 6:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )