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Unknown Graves Located in Shiloh Cemetery

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McKENZIE (January 14) Twenty-nine graves of unknown persons were recently located in the historic Shiloh Cemetery, located at the intersection of State Route 423 and Carroll Lake Road. Thanks to the technology of ground penetrating radar, the 29 graves were located and have concrete markers with the UNK 1-29 indicating the grave of the unknown persons.
Steve Baker, a member of the Shiloh Cemetery Board, said the nine-member board contracted with Geomodel, Inc. to survey the approximate 4-acre cemetery, which dates back to the early 1800s. Other members of the board are Charles Kemp, Paul Toombs, Tommy Surber, Scott York, Jimmy Brown, Susan Hill, and Barry Summers. The cemetery is owned by the Shiloh Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
The first person buried in the cemetery was a man delivering pigiron on a wagon. He got sick and died and was buried there in 1828.
Baker said the professional geologist operated the radar for two and a half days to survey the whole cemetery. The survey began November 11 and finished on November 13, 2020. It detected any disturbance in the ground.

According to Geomodel’s website, recent interments (1 to 50 years old) generally produce very distinct grave anomalies in the GPR profile and are most easily detected. Older graves (50 to 200 years old or more) produce less distinct or minimal anomalies and are more difficult to detect.
Remains of burials are easier to locate in sandy soils that do not contain tree roots or rocks.
In cases where a vault or casket does not exist, or where the casket has completely deteriorated, the trained eye of the GeoModel, Inc. professional can examine the GPR data for disturbed soil, grave trenches, or other indications of the burial.
Baker said the Shiloh Cemetery Board is seeking information concerning the unmarked graves. Anyone with information is asked to contact any of the members.