My dream had come true.  It was late Spring, 1980-81,  I  was strolling among the tall trees and the few remaining gravestones of the Union Campground Cemetery, near Springfield, Missouri.   At times, pausing to look up through the tree tops at the sun shafts shining down through the massive webs swinging from treetop to treetop.

Since childhood, I had heard my relatives speak of  "the old Union Campground Cemetery" as if it were a most special and revered place.  Their sentiments rubbed off on me.  Now, I had come to pay homage to the friends and neighbors of my dear Grandparents.  For many years, my William Eagleton Appleby and Mary Jane Dysart-Appleby lived on their Bluegrass Farm, sharing the back property line with the Union Campground Cemetery.  I remember hearing the stories of my Uncles as they recalled some of the funerals they attended in the Cemetery,  as they were growing up on the farm.  

 I knew of only two Appleby connections buried here.  One, the infant child of Robert & Emma (Dulin) Appleby.  Second, Elizabeth (Snow) Freeman Appleby, second wife of William Alfred Appleby.  She was buried in the Freeman plot, the family of her first husband.   Leonard  had recently had a new stone installed on his Grandmother's grave.  It startled me to come, unexpectedly, upon such a new stone.

By the time of my first visit,  I was well into my family's history and on my second visit,  we had the good fortune to have as a guide for our small family group, Leonard Appleby,  a lifetime Springfield resident and the historian of our Appleby family.   Leonard Appleby  was, at the time,  living on the former farm of  his Great-Aunt,  Amanda Appleby and her husband,  Wiley Gregory.  Leonard, bless him, knew the stories of those buried around us, and leaning against the trunk of a large old Oak tree as he spoke, he shared the stories with the rest of us.

While still living in Arizona, I learned that Jean & Jim Rayl and others, had formed an Association to restore the old, neglected cemetery and obtain the status of  Historical Site.  It was another dream coming true.  I could not attend the first meeting of the Association,  so in a long distance call to Anne Appleby, in Ozark, she voluntarily offered to attend the meeting in my place.   Anne did attend the meeting and offered the services of her Attorney son, to do the legalities necessary to clear the Title to the land occupied by the Cemetery.

This is just background for my interest in the Union Campground Cemetery.  Now, it is not only my dream, but,  of  the entire association, of others becoming interested in the dear, old, hallowed ground and will join the  "Dream Team's"  sincere and dedicated efforts to bring the cemetery back from oblivion.   

I'm sure even the 'rest-breaks' would be worth the participation.  Refreshments, cool shade, pleasant friends sharing a common interest, and reflecting on the once busy, constructive lives of  former Greene County residents, they, too, at rest.   

The Group is active and making their plans for Spring at the Cemetery.    The time spent is a Labor of Love, and if you feel a tug at your heart to join them, please contact:

Robert Chandler, Association President: (417) 833-4501 for information

Larry Voris: (417) 881-1587 for answers to your questions and subscription to the Cemetery Newsletter.

Larry Voris, e-mail:  lgvoris@sbcglobal.net

Larry's cemetery pictures' website:  http://www.unioncampgroundcemetery.org/

To send Donations:  Pansy Harvey, (Treasurer) 3822 East State Highway AA; Springfield, MO 65803

A Newsletter Subscription/Membership fee is $15.oo or Membership $25.oo per couple.

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