The Basin Springs Cemetery Association held its biannual General Meeting and Cemetery Cleanup on Saturday, Oct. 5. The meeting was open to all interested and held on Brooks Lane in Sadler. The meeting was called to order by Barbara Gotcher, president.
The Association discussed several items related to the upkeep of the cemetery, marking unknown/unmarked graves and the status of the paperwork that will be submitted to the state for a Historical Cemetery Recognition; and reimbursing new volunteers for gas money for mowing.
Treasurer Susan Moody gave the financial report as it stands at the end of September. With the new CD the cemetery is averaging $43/month in interest which is being deposited in the cemetery’s working funds.
Moody also gave a status report for the Historical Designation Recognition. She said the cemetery has 91 known veterans, from the Civil War to Vietnam and two Peace Time. It was then agreed that Christina Schuttler, secretary, would research purchasing small flags to be placed on each veteran’s grave on appropriate holidays.
The paperwork also requires the number of unmarked graves and, at this time, it is noted there are over 100 unmarked graves. Several options were discussed on how to mark these permanently and Brad Watson will research obtaining concrete crosses for these.
There are also at least two graves with no date of death on them. Moody has been in contact with a local memorial company and obtained a price for having this done. An anonymous donor has agreed to pay for these two. All stones would be checked for dates during the day’s cleanup.
The meeting was adjourned and the group moved to the cemetery to begin the cleanup. Brad, Wyatt and William Watson took over the lifting, leveling and straightening of many large tombstones. Rebekah, Sarah and Miriam Watson cleaned up around the stone areas by either weed eating or clipping the grass. Chris, Christina and Robert Schuttler and Jim Anderson cleared low-hanging branches. Emma Schuttler sprayed cleaner on several stones. Another previously unknown grave was discovered and the stone replaced in an upright position. No name was found on the stone and it is thought to be that of a child. Moody took photos of new stones and worked on the plotting of a section of the cemetery.
During the cleanup it was discovered several flower arrangements were placed in large metal containers. The cemetery’s rules have stated no metal containers as these are dangerous to the workers that are mowing, weed eating and clearing around the stones. As of press time, the arrangements have been placed on top of the stones out of the way of mowers and, if not removed by the end of October, will be disposed of by the board.
Those attending the meeting and cleanup were: Susan Moody; Chris, Christina, Robert and Emma Schuttler; Jim and Mary Anderson; Barbara Gotcher; Martha Heath; and Brad, Wyatt, William, Rebekah, Sarah and Miriam Watson.
Cleanups are held twice a year on the first Saturdays of April and October beginning with a meeting open to all interested parties at 9 a.m. at the Moody’s on Brooks Lane. The next meetings and cleanups will be held Saturday, April 5, 2025 and October 4, 2025 at 9 a.m. Families and friends of those buried at the cemetery are encouraged to attend the meetings and the cleanups.
The cemetery has a Facebook group page and an email, [email protected], for those who would like to get in touch with the board electronically. Mail and donations can be made via PayPal or mailed to the cemetery’s Post Office box at Basin Springs Cemetery Association, Attention Treasurer, P. O. Box 25, Sadler, TX 76264.
In order for donations to be considered for the 2024 tax season, all donations must be postmarked by December 31, 2024. The cemetery has 501(c)13 not-for profit status – receipts for donations are given to all donors. Current needs for the cemetery upkeep include bags of concrete, small, flat grave markers for those unmarked/unknown graves, fire ant poison, tombstone cleaner and assistance during the mowing period. Please contact the board if you are able to help.
