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Archiver > QUAKER-ROOTS > 1999-04 > 0924400379


From: valleyvu <>
Subject: Warrington Meeting, York PA VANDALIZED
Date: Sat, 17 Apr 1999 21:52:59 -0400


Since we can't send attachments to the list, I will type in the article
from the Dillsburg Banner of April 15, 1999. It reads as follows:

VANDALS STRIKE QUAKER GRAVEYARD
$1,500 REWARD OFFERED

By Andrea Reichley

For the third time in a decade the Warrington Friends Cemetery has been
struck by vandals.
On Friday evening vandals once again destroyed several headstones in the
old part of the cemetery. Ten monuments were damaged and two were
broken in half.
According to Earl Robson, chairman of the cemetery committee, Mark
Gasswint, the caretaker, discovered the destruction on Saturday
morning. State Police found no tire or foot tracks.
Robson said that the first incidence of vandalism occurred 10 years ago
and cost the cemetery $2,000 to repair. The second attack happened in
1991 when approximately 40 monuments were destroyed and cost in the
neighborhood of $3,500 to rebuild.
"Some of the old stones were just mutilated," Robson said.
This week's destruction can probably be repaired, he explained.
"We'll get a monument man in to reset them. I think we can fix these,"
he said. The cost of the current repairs is still undetermined.
State Police, Loganville, who are investigating the incident, said that
the act is institutional vandalism which is to commit an offence,
knowingly, which desecrates venerated objects including any cemetery,
mortuary, or burial ground memorializing the dead. If the cost of the
damage is over $5,000 it is considered a felony, third degree, and
carries a maximum sentence of seven years in jail. Damage ubder $5,000
is a criminal mischief, second degree, and carries a maximum of two
years in jail plus restitution.
The Warrington Friends Cemetery is located at the historic Old Quaker
Meeting House on Route 74 just outside Wellsville.
"We have people buried there from the early 1700's," Robson explained.
"Peter Cook, who came over on the third voyage, is buried there."
The cemetery committee is offering a $500 reward combined with a $1,000
reward from York County Crime Stoppers, for information leading to the
arrest and conviction of the vandal(s).
Anyone who may have information on this crime is asked to call the State
Police at the Loganville Barracks at 717 428-1011. All callers may
remain anonymous. END OF ARTICLE
As a footnote, I thought perhaps some Listers might want to make a
contribution toward the restoration costs of the headstones. If so, you
can mail it to Earl T. Robson, Chairman, 217 N. Baltimore St.,
Dillsburg, PA 17019
They are not aware of my posting to the List but I'm sure any
contribution would be greatly appreciated. I am sure some of you have
ancestors who attended here or that may be interred in the graveyard. I
do, which is why I am bringing this to your attention. Carol D.

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