Springfield Township officials believe the Michigan Historical Society is trying to rewrite history, and they want no part of it.
In March 2002, the Springfield Township Board approved an application seeking designation of the Davisburg Cemetery as a state historical site. That would qualify the cemetery for an official bronze marker similar to those seen at other points of interest throughout the state.
The state agency approved the designation, but offered different wording for the marker and said the township must pay $2,705 for a two-sided sign (despite the local request for one side only). In addition, state regulation say the marker would be owned by the state, although paid for by the local government.
The application was prepared by Clerk Nancy Strole and cemetery sexton Elaine Smith, with suggested wording focusing on the donation of the cemetery land by Davisburg founder Cornelius Davis and the number of war veterans buried there.
State officials, using ‘secondary source? documents, added information about the cemetery ‘figuring prominently in the high profile murder of Dr. Nathan C. Hall, who was accused of poisoning his wife, Anna, in 1880.?
The state-proposed text speaks of Anna Hall’s remains being exhumed, tested, reburied and discovered missing prior to a second planned disinterment in relation to the murder trial.
‘It is my opinion that the state took a leap from the information gave them,? Supervisor Collin Walls said.
In a memo to the board, Strole said no information about the reported murder was included in the application packet. She had not seen specific information about the murder, and further believes the incident is more commonly known as the Murgittroyd murder.
‘We’re being asked to pay $2,700 for a sign we won’t own, with an inscription we neither approved nor wanted, concerning an individual who is not even buried there,? Strole said.
‘This was not near the intent,? Trustee David Hopper said. ‘I have a serious aversion to this.?
Strole said she expressed her concerns to Laura Ashlee of the Michigan Historical Society. Although, the township government proposed placement such that a one-sided sign would be adequate, state officials require a two-sided sign in case it ever has to be moved.
Ashlee told Strole the proposed sign text ‘was pretty bland.? The state-written text, in their opinion, better ‘demonstrates significance? of the historical nature of the site.
State officials have final say on sign text. Strole said it might be possible to propose a revision, but Ashlee indicated it was ‘pretty late in the game? to hope for approval of new text.
Trustees were unanimous in the decision to decline the state proposal (losing the $250 application fee), but they were split on how to proceed further.
Field-Smith made her proposal in March 2002, and some wanted to honor her work by seeking a similar-style sign without the state historical designation.
‘Everyone was enthusiastic when we were going to do the application,? Trustee Dennis Vallad said. ‘I think we should somehow get a sign there. Whether it says ‘Michigan Historical Site,? I don’t care. I think the idea of the sign was well received.?
Although Strole worked with Field-Smith on the application, she said other local projects should be a higher priority.
‘If we’re going to spend $3,000, I’d rather spend it elsewhere’where we know there is a real need, rather than on a sign,? Strole said.
Walls suggested headstone restoration might be a worthy project, but offered a suggestion concerning a sign.
‘If there is a strong feeling that we should put up a sign, we could try and find out what it would cost to do the sign we originally approved,? Walls said.
Trustees Dean Baker, Margaret Bloom, Hopper and Vallad voted in favor of such research. Walls, Strole and Treasurer Jamie Dubre voted no.
Suggestions included contacting the company that supplies signs to the Michigan Historical Society to obtain a direct price quote for a similar sign, but without the state historical seal.