Mayflower development land contains old cemetery | News

MAYFLOWER, Ark. (AP) - A subdivision developer who wants to build on a parcel in Mayflower has pulled the project after the discovery of more than 300 graves. Some of them appear to be of African Americans and date from the time of slavery.

Members of the Mayflower Planning Commission assured two groups who opposed the development that the graves won't be disturbed.

The Log Cabin Democrat says (http://is.gd/UC8F2X ) reports that the Arkansas Archaeological Survey says the Ida Bell Cemetery covers a hill and no part of it can be developed without hitting graves.

Members of the Palarm Missionary Baptist Church and the Friends of Ida Bell Cemetery have opposed the development.

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