Wellman, a well respected former educator and local historian and genealogist, explained the historical significance of the cemetery and its connections to Logan County history.
"I am here to ask the city to designate the old Ragland Cemetery an historic site, and possibly mark it," Wellman said, explaining that Street Department Commissioner Kevin Marcum and his crew had done a lot of work cleaning up the cemetery.
"It is so connected to our city and our history through the persons who are buried there," she said. "Ann Lawson, who was killed in 1847 by her slaves, is buried there. Her husband was one of the first merchants in our area, and in fact, he donated the land where the courthouse currently stands. Ann is buried there and her grave is marked. Kevin can attest to that."
Husband Anthony Lawson died on a buying trip to Philadelphia.
"Henry Clay Ragland is buried there. He was the first owner of The Logan Banner and a member of the legislature and an author and historian," Wellman said.
Councilman Don Browning noted he was familiar with Ragland's book, which is one of the earliest and most respected historical accounts of our region.
"Many other people who are important to our local history and members of their family are buried there," Wellman said. Alex Lunsford, an early minister in this area is buried there. They say James Chaffin and Dyke Garrett found salvation under his preaching. Biddy Conley, the son of John Conley, who was one of the original Logan County Wildcats during the Civil War is buried there."
Elizabeth Fillinger who sewed the Wildcats flag which sits in our state archives also has family ties to the cemetery on High Street which most people refer to as "the old cemetery".
"I have never seen another cemetery quite like it," explained the woman who is one of the most respected figures in historical and genealogical circles in our region. "It has a fantastic history."
Don Browning said it might be possible to get funding to keep it up as an historical site.
"We have to do some research, but we will take the first step and I will make the motion to do the research and look into having it marked as an historical site," Browning said. The motion was approved.
In other city news:
*The City Council approved a measure to sell an $88,000 street sweeper it purchased under a previous administration; only to find out the device was not designed to sweep streets, but parking lots. The city has been out a lot of money over the years on upkeep and repairs for the device, explained Street Commissioner Kevin Marcum.
Mayor Serafino Nolletti said the city had been trying to find a buyer for the device and may have one, as Johnny McMillon expressed an interest in buying it for his parking lot cleaning business. The Mayor said McMillon was going to try to get a $55,000 loan from the bank and asked the council for permission to approve the pending sale. Council approved the pending sale.
* Carol Conley said the city water department is almost finished with its backwash project, which should be done in a few weeks. Conley said everything has been going well at the department.
Lucian Adkins said the Dingess Street part of one major project was completed and looks good and that the next phase would begin soon in the Charles Street area.
"It will be a big mess, but we ask the public to be patient with us. Most of the work over on the boulevard is done," he said. Adkins said the PSD's project to provide sewage treatment to the mall should be ready after the first of the year and the old package plant which is currently serving the mall can be removed then.
* Street Commissioner Kevin Marcum said his department is getting ready for winter and that the towns' Christmas lights should be going up soon. Marcum said the street department has been busy clearing clogged drainage lines in recent weeks which are full of fallen leaves.
* Mayor Nolletti said the city would have a special meeting on Monday to address problems with the new insurance program which has met with a lot of unhappiness by city employees. One employee told the council he did not think the new debit card would cover his upcoming CT scan. Nolletti said the city is looking at making some changes, possibly to a two-tier plan. Increased premium costs caused the council to change the old plan.
* Accountant Jeff Valet said the city was not out of the hole financially yet, but had been doing better. The city's deficit dropped in October despite it being a three payday month.
"If we are cautious, hopefully by March, we will have a plus balance," Valet said, adding that one contractor recently paid the city its B&O taxes in October, which he did not expect. $93,000 in bills, including $17,000 for health insurance was approved. Valet noted another bank bought out the debt the city owed on the street sweeper, which it had to mail out.
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