Grave of James Rutledge, father of Ann

[Joe Di Cola]

I heard today from Allan Dean, Superintendent of the Menard County Cemetery Maintenance District. He informed me that the new marker recently erected for James Rutledge is, indeed, a cenotaph to indicate that he is buried in the general vicinity, but there is no way to determne the exact location. He added that the cenotaph was erected at the request of a Mr. Ray Montgomery. While it is nice to see one of the two founders of New Salem "honored" in some way, I feel the cenotaph is an eyesore and a distraction.

Joe