May 24, 2008, 7:49AM
2 plan restoration of Belton cemetery where veterans buried


By HARPER SCOTT CLARK Temple Daily Telegram
© 2008 The Associated Press

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BELTON, Texas — As a breeze stirs through the limbs of trees and rustles around the fallen tombstones and unkempt graves one can almost hear the whispers of ghosts from a long-ago era lingering in the hot air.

Buried here are the veterans of conflicts going back nearly 200 years. They fought in the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Creek Indian War, the Texas War of Independence, the Texas frontier wars and the Civil War, referred to by some Southerners as the War Between the States.

Less honorable men also claim this honored ground as their last resting place. Eight men charged in 1874 as horse thieves and one man charged with killing his wife never made it to trial, history tells us. Some 250 masked men on horseback shot them dead in their jail cells. They are buried in unmarked graves.

The description sounds like that of a churchyard in a crumbling section of some older urban metropolis like Galveston, Houston or New Orleans. But it's not.

The South Belton Cemetery in the 600 block of South Penelope forms a part of the chronicles and heritage of Bell County, say two local history authorities who want to see the graveyard restored.

Rocky Sprott and Nancy Kelsey representing the Maj. Robert M. White Camp No. 1250 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans have plans to refurbish, repair and enhance the historic cemetery owned by the city of Belton.

The two struck an agreement with the city to fund and direct the restoration. The city will maintain the improvements.

Sprott told the Belton City Council last month that 82 Confederate soldiers are buried there. He said it is also the resting place of one Union soldier.

The council approved a concept plan at that meeting authorizing City Manager Sam Listi to execute an agreement with the Sons organization and to work with them in soliciting funds and grants for the renovations. They will jointly decide priorities.

Currently, two Texas Historical Commission markers placed in 1936 by the United Daughters of the Confederacy note the historical significance.

Kelsey said Bell County was founded in 1850 and the cemetery established in 1851. Situated south of Nolan Creek on top of Kinney Hill, the graveyard once commanded a view of all of Nolanville, as the settlement was known back in those days.

Stephanie Turnham, director of the Bell County Museum, said in 1852 the name Nolanville was changed to Belton.

"We think what happened is that they discovered another town in Texas already had claimed the name Nolanville," Turnham said. "So they changed it to Belton — a combination of Bell and town."

Kelsey said the cemetery was maintained for decades by an association but by the mid-20th century it had dissolved. Grave markers were overturned and broken, and the graveyard fell into general neglect. In the late 1950s the city of Belton took possession and has maintained it since.

"Major Robert White, for whom Camp 1250 is named, is buried here," said Sprott, pointing to a plot during a recent visit to the cemetery. "He died in Tennessee in the War Between the States. His bones were later disinterred and removed here where they were reburied."

Sprott said White held the rank of captain and commanded Company H of the 6th Texas Cavalry of the Confederacy when he left for battle.

"White was given a field grade promotion to the rank of major during the war," Sprott said. "Company H was one of 10 companies that left Belton with altogether 1,000 to 1,500 men."

Sprott pointed to the grave of Pvt. Charles Peters — the one known Union soldier buried at the cemetery.

"He served with Company E of the 1st Texas Cavalry U.S.," Sprott said. "When we first began researching this we realized he was with the federal Army and served in Texas and Louisiana during the war."

"There is so much history here — so many stories," Sprott said. "These are real people that lived their lives here though they may have come from different states."

Sprott said they were people who contributed to building Bell County and Belton. They took risks. They left their homes elsewhere and came here to farm and to start businesses, Sprott said.

"We owe these people a great debt. We can't go off and ignore them and act like it doesn't matter. That's not the way you treat your ancestors and your heritage. This is where we came from."

Listi said the city appreciates the community involvement to preserve and enhance the historic cemetery.

"Cemeteries at this level become a tourist destination," Listi said. "We are encouraged that this could become one."

Sprott said contributions could be made through the Maj. Robert M. White Camp No. 1250 acting as a non-profit organization.






http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/5799866.html