Fannin County, Texas -- A cemetery that dates back to the era of the Battle of the Alamo -- at a time when the City of Bonham was named Bois d'Arc, Texas -- was desecrated by vandals during the past weekend with several headstones toppled and broken.

Bailey Inglish Cemetery, the oldest frontier cemetery in Fannin County, dates back to 1838 when the founder of Bonham, Bailey Inglish, donated land for a cemetery near the original Fort Inglish. In fact, Mr. Inglish is buried in the cemetery, as is Daniel Rowlett, another 1836 colonizer of Fannin County, and James Tarleton, a veteran of the Texas Revolution.

Bonham Police Chief Mike Bankston says the title of this offense is Criminal Mischief and it can be a State Jail Felony if the amount of damage is from more than $750 but less than $30,000. The range of punishment can be up to 180 days in County Jail, or 2 years in State Jail, and an optional fine not to exceed $10,000. 

"These are senseless actions committed by folks who have no respect for the burial sites," remarked Chief Bankston, "not to mention the historical significance of this cemetery to our community.  I would ask anyone who might have any information about this crime to call the Bonham Police Department."