By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–You never know what you will find in an old graveyard.
Brett Brauer and Kyle Parker of Gravesite Restorations know that better than most. They have been restoring and cleaning several gravestones at the historic Paris City Cemetery and found an ornate monument buried underground with a tree grown around it. Brauer thinks the monument had been buried at least 50 years, if not more.
They are performing the project for the Henry County Cemetery Committee.
Brauer and Parker worked all day Monday from morning until late afternoon and finally brought the monument above ground–without damaging it at all. They used a variety of different tools (handsaws, power saws, shovels, ropes, etc.) and a lot of elbow grease on a very hot day.
The monument belongs to Rebecca Davis and the markings say, “Miss Rebecca Davis of Toronto, Canada, died February 6, 1894 in Paris.” It is very ornate, decorated with tassels and other markings.
Brauer said it appears that the monument had toppled over years ago and the tree grew around it as it settled into the ground. The base of the marker was above ground, but was attached to the tree.
The pair now begin the task of replacing the heavy monument on the base and cleaning it.
Photo: Brent Brauer, left, and Kyle Parker, at work bringing the monument above ground. Shannon McFarlin photo.