This is another award-winning article, with a follow-up story. Both won second place for best investigative reporting from the Mississippi Press Association. The first was published May 24, 2000; the latter, May 31, 2000. Neither can be reproduced in full due to copyright laws. However, if interested, you are welcome to visit The DeSoto County Tribune’s website at www.dctribune.com
Judges’ comments were:
“What an interesting topic. It was good to see you follow through with the story. Good historical research and investigating.”
Who and why? Riddle for ages
By Lara Wistock
The Tribune
Olive Branch – No one’s sure how they got there, or even who these people were. But there they lie, nestled under a tree in Olive Branch City Park.
Major John G. Clements and Martha Elizabeth Rozell, wife of Dr. B.L. Rozell read the tombstones in City Park.
Piece of the puzzle falls into place in mystery of graves at City Park
By Lara Wistock
The Tribune
Olive Branch – Some of the mystery of the Olive Branch City Park tombstones has been solved.
The tombstones lying peacefully under a tree near the maintenance shop in the park are those of Major John G. Clements and Martha Elizabeth Rozell, wife of Dr. B.L. Rozell.
Some answers to the mystery came from Wayne and Judy Morell, previous owners of the property, who purchased approximately 10 acres in 1971 and owned it until they sold it to the city in 1993. Judy said that her family had no idea the tombstones were there until one of her children discovered them while playing on the property.
