Editor, Times-Union: I am writing to you and the Warsaw community to tell you a story about a small infant boy whose gravesite has recently been desecrated. The grave site is at Hillcrest Cemetery in Pierceton. The story is well known to the residents of Pierceton. This infant boy, who was only 10 months old, died in 1880 and was buried in an above-ground crypt by his parents. His father was the Presbyterian minister in Pierceton at the time. Around the small crypt a metal fence was built. In each corner was a place where a candle could be placed. According to the story, the infant was afraid of the dark and the mother always kept a light in the room where the infant slept. After their infant son died and was buried, the mother would walk out to the cemetery from town each evening. She would light four candles, placing one in each corner, so that her son would not be afraid of the dark. Each morning she returned to her son’s grave and retrieved the candles. This continued for years until the family moved away. Since then the little crypt and metal fence have fallen into disrepair from neglect and the elements. About six months ago, a Pierceton resident and myself thought it would be fitting to place four solar lights, one at each corner, as a gesture of faith and respect for the love the mother had for her infant son. Every night the solar lights shined, until this past month. Someone went to the cemetery and stole the lights. Why would someone willfully go out to a cemetery and steal lights from a child’s grave? How could someone be so insensitive and uncaring to rob a child’s grave? Someone in the community knows who did this desecration to this child’s grave. Why not say something to that individual or individuals and ask that the lights be returned. Just return the lights and let Francis know he’s not forgotten. I don’t think that is asking too much. Phillip L. Wise Chandler, Ariz., via email
