Old tombstones found north of Perrin

“This, by far, is one of the strangest things I’ve ever seen.”

Those words came from County Judge Keith Umphress when he saw two tombstones that had been dug out of the ground on Slusher Road, just north of Perrin.

The tombstones were of Alsward Malcolm Hensley (spelled Malcom H. Alsword on the tombstone) and W. M. Turner. Hensley’s tombstone was made after his death in 1956 and Turner’s was made in 1915.

According to Jack County Sheriff Tom Spurlock, the tombstones may have been spotted earlier, but were confirmed to be in the ground last week, when Commissioner James Brock was filling spots. The tombstones were then hauled from their location back to the Law Enforcement Center north of Jacksboro.

“We do not know what they were doing there, but both were buried in Oakwood in Jacksboro,” Spurlock said. “Both also have new headstones, but we do not know when they were changed.”

Despite the odd circumstances, both Judge Umphress and Sheriff Spurlock do not believe there was any malicious intent, and the stones were possibly placed there to help erosion.

“We do not know if a prior commissioner allowed someone to place them there but it does not appear to be vandalism or theft,” Spurlock said. “We still do not know when they were placed there or who did it but Michael Francis is currently investigating the situation, and we are talking to more people and family members to see what we can find out.”