Mayo Alive - 27 August 1996

Vandals Destroy "Little Ireland" Cemetery

By Seamiuse
Cleveland, Ohio USA

Sunday is usually a fairly peaceful day for this Mayo descendant but recently it became a most disturbing one. As I usually do on Sunday, I traveled to Hudson, Ohio (about 38 miles from Cleveland) for dinner with my sweetheart Laurie, and my future Mother-in-Law (born in Limerick City, she points out). After walking the pups we stopped to pick up the local "Hudson Hub Times", a weekly publication in Hudson. On the front page of the paper was a story that should raise the blood of any man or woman, Irish or otherwise. "O'Brien Attracts Vandals". The story went on to describe the O'Brien cemetery, part of the Irish immigrant community of "Little Ireland", and the vandalism occurring there since 1984. My blood pressure was rising with every line of the editors type. How dare anyone desecrate a grave, let alone an Irishman's!

Talking with Laurie's brother I learned where the cemetery was, and planned to visit it very soon. The next day came none to soon, and Bailey and I set out to do a bit of reconnaissance. They told me it would be tough to find and they weren't kidding. The term "Mile-n-a bit" came to mind several times. The graves are in an area about a third of a mile from a main road, down a path not as wide as a car, in a heavily wooded area, and throw in a whole lot of mosquitos in certain areas. Suffice to say my partner Bailey had a good romp in the woods. I on the other hand made a mental note to not return unless armed, with bug spray that is. The path finally opened to a cleared area where the markers begin.

The O'Brien's, Galloway's, Calkins', McCauley's, Purcell's, Steel's, Whaley's, Flanegan's and Malone's were there. Their headstones however were not in most cases where they should have been, or the thieves had removed them completely. This is the case with the headstone of Isaac Steel, a Revolutionary War, and War of 1812 Bugle Boy. It was discovered missing by local genealogists recently. Some were broken, others pushed off the pedestals, and more had been smashed small enough to form a ring around what looked to be a constantly used fire.The brush surrounding the area is three to four feet high. The cemetery sits on a ledge overlooking a small lake and judging by the beer cans, the view has long been enjoyed by many unwanted visitors.

As a result of my hobby as an amateur genealogist researching my Mayo ancestors and others, I have spent quite a bit of time in cemetery's. Usually, as I think most of us are, a feeling of reverence comes over me, along with a strong feeling from those around me, the times they lived in, and how some may have come to rest there. This time I had a very ill feeling. Instead of a tranquil resting place for the deceased, I sensed an uneasiness about the place. Then the "little voice" came to me. "Do something about it or go away like the rest" seemed to be the message, I thought to myself.

Off we went back through the bugs to find the offices of the Hudson Hub Times. I wanted to find out exactly what was being done to remedy these deplorable acts. Without an appointment, and certainly an interruption in her day, I was welcomed by Debbie DiMascio, Editor of the Hub. In order to give me a better history both of the cemetery and the vandalism, she gave me two previous articles published by the Hub. We talked about O'Brien, its history, and my interest in it as an officer of The Ancient Order Of Hibernians In America, Western Reserve Division. Upon reading these articles I was filled with a feeling of obligation, and informed the editor that The AOH, Western Reserve Division would do "Whatever the city will allow", in order to aid in the restoration of O'Brien cemetery. Later, support has come the other three divisions that surround the cemetery. Boland-Berry Division (West Side Cleveland). St. Brendan Division (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio) and the Mark Heffernan Division (Akron, Ohio). State Officers have also given their support to the project, as has the United States Army, Son's of the American Revolution and Veterans Administration.

Mrs. DiMascio suggested that I visit the Hudson Library and their archivist, gave me the phone number of the Chairman of the cemetery board, wished me well, and certainly wanted me to keep her informed.

With the aid of Mr. James Caccamo, Hudson Library Archivist I was treated to the history of "Little Ireland". The city should be grateful to have a person of his quality in their midst, along with several good genealogists. Much of the cemetery's history, Little Ireland's history and rubbings of the stones are kept. The cemetery is part of the McCauley farm and was not incorporated as a semi-public burial ground until 19 June 1880, although many of the dates of death preclude this. The earliest burial is that of Mary Deacon on Aug 15 1806. There are 175 people buried in O'Brien. The city of Hudson has a colorful history in the Western Reserve, both politically, and religiously. It was a hotbed for the "Underground Railroad". Little Ireland once prospered with a post office, general store, saw mill, coal yard, and a one room schoolhouse. Henry O'Brien was considered the head of the Little Ireland clan. He was born in September 1781 in Darrydighoe, County Lietrim, Ireland. The name was later changed to Metz. In the 1850's the Cleveland, Akron and Columbus Railroad came through the community. There was a flag stop at Little Ireland; and if someone wanted to get on they waved the train down. One explanation for the name change is that "Little Ireland" was too long for the conductors to call out. You can expect a follow-up story here at "Mayo Alive" if I do indeed find a "Mayo Connection" to one of the deceased at O'Brien.

There were people within the city concerned about the conditions at O'Brien but progress was slow, at best. I spoke with the head of the cemetery board and informed him of the Hibernians support of the project. As I had read, Mr. Spearman informed me of the efforts made, and the problems the city, and cemetery committee faced. I asked about cleaning it up, "we don't have the bodies", they said. I asked about the restoration of the stones, "we don't have the machinery or expertise", they said. I asked about arrests. Since July 1995, 29 arrests have been made, and 11 other trespassers warned by Hudson Police. The charges were usually criminal trespassing, according to Chief Jim Brown. No arrests for vandalism have been made, hence the damage not repaired. "Of the 29 arrests, only two were Hudson residents", he continues. The majority were from the city's that boarder Hudson. Area residents told me that it was a nightly occurrence to see teens, and adults, scurry in the woods towards the cemetery. The cemetery board had been investigating what could be done to fix up the deteriorating cemetery so it was in better shape, along with the others in town for the upcoming bicentennial celebration of the city. Plans were moving very slowly. He invited me to attend a meeting of the cemetery committee two weeks ahead, and make the Hibernians support known to the board. I did at that. This stranger was welcomed with open arms. "He seemed to come out of nowhere, and landed in my office with sleeves rolled up, anxious, and full of energy". "He's testimony to why the Irish are often termed feisty", said one reporter.

I attended the August 3rd meeting of the cemetery board. The week prior I visited the cemetery several times, at night and day. On various occasions I found warm fires, cold beer (No it wasn't Guiness, much to my dismay), and four young men running like they had seen the devil himself. I guess they didn't like Bailey, go figure. It seemed to me that these good folks of Hudson just never heard some of my father's favorite sayings, like; "utilize your resources" or "The best way to manage is not to try to know all the answers, just to know where to get them!". I told the board of the support I had received from members from the surrounding divisions of the AOH and state officers and our intention to assist in any way that we could. Richard Siley, Chairman of the committee was quoted in a follow up story done the following week in the Hub as saying, " Plans had been in the works for O'Brien, but with Seamiuse's emergence, the plans have escalated and become a lot more involved, adding "He's really a great surprise. His interest has really been a windfall for us." Discussed at that meeting were plans for, and an upcoming City Council vote that would determine if a bona fide road would be constructed to the cemetery. Security, and the possible erection of a monument for O'Brien, that would contain a list of those interred there was also discussed. When news reached Mr. Lester Sadler, a nearby resident of Stow, Ohio of the efforts made by the city, cemetery board, and the Ancient Order Of Hibernians it was welcome. "I'm really glad to hear it!" Many of his family is buried there, and at one time was one of the caretakers along with John Hubert and Fred Vince. Both Hubert and Vince are deceased, and are buried in the cemetery. Mr. Sadler owns the last remaining plot in the cemetary.

Following the aug. 3rd meeting the Hub published a front page article continuing inside for a full second page, entitled, "Irishman Rallies Hibernians to Restore, Adopt Cemetery". In addition to that the Editor used her opinion section for a second commentary on himself, "Irish Heritage Leads Seamiuse to Hudson". Although a few mistakes made, I feel humbled by her generous comments, "In Hudson we are used to seeing residents rally and help out in a time of need. But it's not every day that a stranger pops into town to save a city landmark". The Hudson community should feel grateful to these "strangers" who are coming forth to see that the people buried in O'Brien are not forgotten; that their lives, however famous or humble, are remembered. Since the article, offers to help are plentiful. Nothing like a bit of great press to speed up the process huh! Thanks for the advice dad!

The vote for construction of the road was later taken later that week, and past by City Council at an expense of $17,600. This will enable the Hudson Police to better patrol the area as driving through the path is all but impossible. Plans are moving smoothly for the monument, and security companies have been contacted with talk of services or hardware being donated. Several Hudson landscaping company's have offered to donate manpower and or equipment to clear out the areas that have overgrown many of the headstones. Locally, the North Hill Marble and Granite Company is donating equipment and men to move many of the stones and repair others. James O'Donnell, the owner of Heritage Memorial, a company located some 45 miles away has generously offered to donate equipment, guidance and expertise to the volunteers. "Cemetery vandalism is a national problem," says O'Donnell. Asked why he would support a project so far from his business he says simply, "Well look at my name". Two nine year old girls were recently apprehended after tipping over numerous stones in Toledo, Ohio (roughly 180 miles from Cleveland). A fella named Galloway called me and said, "I'm not related to the Galloway's buried there (there are several), but I'd sure like to help for namesake." Bishop Anthony J. Pilla, President of the American Catholic Bishops, and based in Cleveland has been invited to preside at a rededication of the cemetary.

Seeing the rapid progress of the project has done a lot to aid in decreasing my blood pressure so to speak. I have a much better feeling when I enter the grounds now. Shortly it will be on the road to restoration, and returned to a state of which it deserves. That of a place of rest for the Irish - Americans of "Little Ireland" that shaped the small community.

Another meeting is to take place very shortly in order to schedule a work day for all the parties and complete the plan of action. You can surely expect to see follow-ups here at "Mayo Alive".

Slan agus Beannacht De leat.

The Nallys of Rockstown in County Mayo, Ireland