Letters to the Editor: What’s up with the cemetery?

You may remember me from my visit to your office in May 2008 when I left a CD with you of material I had collected about families of Gallatin and Daviess County, where both my parents were born and raised (George William Prichard and Mary Elizabeth Love). I hope your spring is as glorious as the one we are enjoying here in Colorado.

A matter has come up regarding administration of the Brown and Greenwood Cemeteries just outside of Gallatin, where several of my ancestors are buried. I’m hoping you can shed some light on this matter or suggest someone else to contact about it.

I have been making annual contributions for the upkeep of the Gallatin cemeteries for many years. Until a couple of years ago, I routinely got a letter on City of Gallatin letterhead (112 Grand, Gallatin) requesting such contributions. When the annual letters stopped sometime after 2008, I continued sending contributions by check marked “For Cemetery Fund” each May, which were cashed by the Farmers Bank on behalf of the City of Gallatin. Recently, a cousin of mine who was visiting Gallatin heard that there had been some problem involving loss of cemetery records in Gallatin and possible difficulty stemming from actions of trustees of the cemetery fund.

Are you aware of any such difficulties? Can you suggest what city official might be best able to give me more information about the issue (or non-issue)? I’m really only looking for assurance that my annual contributions for cemetery upkeep are being used for that purpose. I have no firm knowledge that they are not, but I would appreciate any information you can provide or your referral to the appropriate official for me to contact.

Best Regards,

Vincent Prichard,
Evergreen, CO