SCOTT CITY FAMILY HAS SLIGHT PROBLEM: THEY BUILT POOL, PORCH ON A CEMETERY

SCOTT CITY -- Tom and Charlotte Kanupp came to the Scott City Council Monday with a slight problem: They'd mistakenly built their porch and swimming pool on a cemetery.

"We want to ask about buying some land from you," Charlotte Kanupp told the council

When the Kanupps paid off their house about three years ago, they found out they didn't have two lots back-to-back as they had thought. Instead, they had a lot with two half-lots attached to the side. The lot behind the house, at the corner of Hopper and Clark Streets, they subsequently have learned, was part of an abandoned cemetery.

"What this means is our back porch and swimming pool were built on cemetery property," Tom Kanupp said.

It appears that the old cemetery, which dates back at least to 1887, had long since been forgotten by everyone. The land served as a burial plot for poor, black or transient persons during the cholera epidemic of 1905. The graves were unmarked and became overgrown by brambles.

"The county doesn't know who legally owns the land. They think if anyone does, it would be Scott City," Tom Kanupp said. "We've taken good care of the cemetery for several years."

The councilmen agreed to authorize a quick-claim deed for the Kanupps to square off their property lines. Within the deed will be provisions making the couple liable for any future gravesite relocation which might be necessary.

"For what it's worth, it makes for great gardening back there," said Charlotte Kanupp.

In other business, Scott City Mayor Larry Forhan presented outgoing Ward 4 Councilman John Smith with a commemorative plaque recognizing his years on the city council.

"I really enjoyed working with everyone here," Smith said. "I just got tired and thought it was time to quit."

After Smith's exodus, newly elected members Brenda Moyers, Jerry Cummins, Kenneth Holder Jr. and Norman Brant were sworn by City Clerk Nona Walls.

"Get up there and let us swear at you for a minute," said Ward 3 Councilman Ron Oller.

Forhan thanked the Scott City Chamber of Commerce for the $1,250 check he was able to present to the Cape Girardeau Regional Economic Development group last week. Scott City has joined the group in an effort to solicit more businesses to make Scott City their home.

Finally, the council considered a proposal to build a BMX bicycle race track in the area of the old city lagoon. After some discussion, the council referred the matter to the city's public works committee.