Athens Cemetery Association

(AS PROVIDED BY THE ATHENS WEEKLY REVIEW)

Athens Weekly Review, March 22. 1917 

"The Athens Cemetery Association met on Wednesday, March 14th at 4 p.m. in the city courtroom at the courthouse. A goodly number of ladies were present and everyone seemed enthusiastic and ready to cooperate with any plans or ways to make a success.

The following committees were appointed to campaign for members:

South side square - Mrs. J .R. Garrett and Easterling.East side square - Mrs. E.A. Carroll and C.H. Coleman.North side square - Mrs. A.B. Watkins and A.F. Wood.Tyler St. - Mrs. S.M. CainChurch St. and all territory south from Christian Church - Miss AliceRichardson. AU territory south and west fromChristian Church - Mrs. Joe LaRue. West Tyler and Larkin Streets andwest end - Mrs. Peach Larkin and HarryLammons. Scott St. - Mrs. Charles Richardson.North St. - Mrs. Jno. R. Gauntt and Miss Lucy Richardson.Cemetery Committee for 1917 - Mrs. A.B. Watkins and F. Gilmore.

The Association desires to secure enough members to have the dues pay all expenses. The minimum dues, $1.20, which is 10 cents a month, and those with interests at cemetery who wish to subscribe more will be greatly appreciated. 

The current Literary Club has done a great work in keeping the cemetery for a number of years. The association takes this means of thanking them for their work and for purchasing a lot and house for the keeper of the cemetery. 

We here make mention of some of the things they have done, to let the public know what an expense the upkeep of the cemetery is. 

They purchased an iron fence and repaint it every year. The fence now needs repainting, and they have paid a keeper $25 a month for nine months of the year, which the association will keep up from March to December, which amounts to $225. We are anxious to make some walks and drives.

We ask everyone who have graves in the cemetery to plant flowers and urge that every citizen join and pay their dues. The association will meet the first Wednesday in each month at 4:00 p.m. at the court house in the city court room."

Athens Weekly Review. May 26. 1927 

"Mr. Howard Wants Help to Erect Monument. To the Review: Through the kindness of the editor I am going to ask each and everyone to help me buy a monument for the County Burying Ground. I have worked the graves and plowed a nice street. 

The monument will cost $100. Will appreciate any donation you feel like giving. 

The name of the cemetery will be changed to the "Last Resting Place of the Poor." If  anyone can give a better name, will be glad to hear from them. 
If you don't see me, leave it with Dr. Kellam’s or at Robinson's Drug Store. Thanking each and everyone. 

W.W. Howard, Mgr."

Athens Weekly Review. April 1. 1943

"Poor Farm Abolished The Henderson County Commissioners Court, in abolishing the county poor farm, has not neglected nordiscontinued to provide for the people who formerly resided on it. Those people,reduced in number from twenty to seven, will be cared for in the future in their own homes, which should make them even more comfortable than heretofore. 

The action taken by the court was principally for economic reasons, since the upkeep of the poor farm entailed a considerable expense as compared to assisting the persons in need in their own homes. Other counties have taken similar action, and have found the plan very successful. 

The poor farm, for many years a Henderson County institution, is now but a group of badly run down buildings that one would find little comfort to reside in and that would require a great amount of money to place in a state of good repair. The court, no  doubt, has felt that the inmates who once inhabited it would be much more comfortable in homes, and has made it possible for them to move into homes and still receive the assistance they received  when they resided at the poor farm." 

(Editors Note:) Shortly after the county poor farm was closed, those persons buried in its graveyard were moved to the Athens Cemetery.  Re-interment took place in the far southwest comer of the cemetery in whatbecame known as the pauper's section. Unfortunately, the individual graves in the old poor farm cemetery were not marked so the identities of those now resting in the Athens Cemetery are unknown and their graves remain unmarked.