Lost Cemetery Discovered 
"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." Psalm 116:15
 
In an article written on March 31, 2011, lead writer for the Arkansas Leader, an on-line newspaper, Christy Hendricks states the following: On Highway 38 at Highway 319, behind "Dude's Place", is Russ Cemetery, a cemetery for blacks dating back to the Civil War.
 
People who have lived there have always believed it to be a Civil War Cemetery states Mrs. Cathy Gastineau, who re-discovered it last Spring. Mrs. Gastineau researched and found the owner to be the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. She then contacted Elder Ross, members of Old Austin Baptist Church and her church, Old Austin United Methodist Church which stands where the Union Hospital was built during the Civil War.
 
Soon a group was formed to resurrect the cemetery. Volunteers from area churches began cleaning up the cemetery in the cold rain. Brush, seedling trees and a taste of history was discovered.
 
There are markers there for World War II and Korean War Veterans. Some markers date back as far as 1918. Many headstones have been broken and vandalized. The article states one marker bears the words "International Order of Twelve Knights and Daughters of Tabor", a black faternal organization established by Moses Dickson in Independence, MO in 1872.
 
Churches involved in the restoration include Leach Chapel, North Little Rocik, Beebe Chapel, Wrightsville, Pleasant Hill, College Station, Old Austin United Methodist Church, Austin, St. James, Conway, Brown Chapel, Brinkley and others.
 
Reverand Charles Holloway states, "It is important for the families to know that the remains of their relatives are indeed cared for, that the cemetery is made presentable not deserted or in disrepair.
 
Please enjoy the slide-show presentation presented by Sister Maxie Blakely and compiled by 

Ron A. Lee.
 
Linda Dawson