Center Township Trustee Jesse Harper has discovered his responsibility to address a neglected cemetery. Despite initial confusion over its location, maps indicated that Kine 3 Cemetery, believed to be in Liberty Township, is actually part of Center Township. The site includes a gravestone for a dog named Pierre, buried in 1972.

The cemetery’s condition is such that Harper is unsure of the number of headstones or burials there. James Coleman, owner of a nearby property, informed Harper of the cemetery’s existence. It sits near the boundaries of Coleman’s farm, appropriately named Edge of Liberty Farm, given its proximity to Liberty Township.

Harper is working with volunteers and plans to hire a crew to clear the area for better access. The Daughters of the American Revolution chapter has shown interest in assisting with the cleanup once the site is accessible. Harper aims to execute careful removal of vegetation to prevent any damage to potential headstones hidden under the overgrowth.

Access to the area is tricky as there’s no direct frontage on Calumet Avenue, but Coleman has granted access through his property. Harper is also exploring the idea of using a specialized company to locate buried headstones, an option he encountered at the Indiana Township Association conventions.

The cleanup is planned for next spring, and anyone interested in participating can contact the Center Township Trustee’s Office at (219) 462-0810.

Doug Ross contributed this report as a freelance journalist for the Post-Tribune.