*ENTRANCE

The book "112 Years in Little Elm Community" organized by Mrs. J. M. Harris and published in 1957 by Banks Upshaw and Company of Dallas, Texas, provides a good description of he effects of the lake and provides some of the scarce recorded history of the Little Elm Cemetery: --------- "The last thing of importance to happen in our community has been the lake and all of its changes. In many ways it will be a blessing to others and even maybe to us, but it has caused nervousness, heartaches, gray hairs, sleepless nights, etc. for many reasons too numerous to relate. The greatest sorrow to the most people was the removal or part of the cemetery and the conditions found there as well as thoughts connected with it. One of the prides of our community was a hillside burial ground with about 1,200 graves. Mr. R. W. (Bob) Holmes had endowed it with a 119 acre farm and it was incorporated with its board of trustees and was beautifully kept. About 800 of those graves were moved to higher ground as well as the King and Grace (or Smith) Cemeteries being brought here. The Dickson Cemetery was left alone. Mr. Willie Stone graciously let them buy land from his which adjoined the cemetery on the east so it would remain intact. We all sincerely hope that the name of the lake will never eliminate the letters Little Elm from its title as their citizens, both present and former have given such more than what dollars and cents can ever pay. As early as 1903 there was serious action towards organizing to make our cemetery into one of beauty. According to Mrs. Wm. Robertson, ‘I mentioned it to several women who were interested in it and we met at the school house one Friday afternoon in the spring of 1903. I presided and we organized by electing Mrs. Ella Hawkins, president, and several other officers. We met regularly once a month and in about three weeks we had enough money in the treasury to employ a man full time. We commenced on one side and mowed with a hand-mower, filled in the sunken graves and in general made it look better. It was then decided to turn this work over to a board of trustees who could handle it better. In a short time it was greatly improved in appearance. Decoration Day was set for First Sunday of May when a general business session is held. This idea grew and grew and today the cemetery is one of beauty.' In the early thirties when W.P.A. came into existence, a meeting was called at the school house to select a committee of five to promote the program. Elzy D. Hart was named chairman of the committee. The program was carried into adjoining communities. Most of the work done was in the cemeteries of this area. In May, 1933, Mr. Hart was elected as secretary of Little Elm Cemetery Association. He is now (in 1957) serving as secretary and treasurer as well as manager. IN 1937 Mr. R. B. Holmes told the association members that it looked like the cemetery was in very good hands and if they would incorporate, that he would like to donate his father's old farm for its support. So they were incorporated under the State Laws of Texas in 1938 and received a deed to 119 acres of land from R. B. Holmes. The cemetery association put up a memorial marker and had a curb placed around it for the thoughtfulness of this man. Joel S. Clark and wife gave the first acre of land to start the cemetery. In honor of Mr. and Mrs. Clark for their generosity a curb was placed around their lot."

Photo and information Courtesy of E. M.

Contributed on 8/13/15

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Record #: 86587

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