HOULTON, Maine — Police are seeking the public’s help to locate the grave marker of the town’s founder, which was apparently stolen from a local cemetery.
Houlton Police Chief Butch Asselin said Tuesday evening that police believe the 70-pound grave marker was stolen between Sept. 4 and Sept. 6.
The tombstone was taken from Evergreen Cemetery and was discovered missing by cemetery maintenance employees on the morning of Sept. 6.
The stone is 4 feet tall, 2 feet wide and 3 inches thick. It is made of white marble.
“Joseph Houlton is the founder of the town of Houlton and the theft of the stone represents a great loss for the community,” Asselin said Tuesday evening.
Replacement of the stone is estimated to be in the range of $1,000.
Police indicated the perpetrator or perpetrators involved committed the offenses of interference with a cemetery burial ground and theft by unauthorized taking or transfer. Both offenses are Class D crimes.
Officer Stewart Kennedy is investigating the crime. Police have no suspects at this time.
“The gravestone has no value to the individuals who removed it, but it certainly does to the residents of this community,” said the chief.
Police are asking that anyone with information contact the Houlton Police Department by calling 532-2287. People who remain anonymous may call 694-3545 and leave a voice or text message.
To leave a voice message for the cemetery superintendent, call 532-1329.
To place a direct call to the cemetery superintendent, call 532-1320.
Another sick twisted person to steal a grave, or persons
Just give it back, would ya?
What would you even do with something like that, disrespectful and stupid. Hope it turns up in the same condition before it was taken.
Unfortunately, grave stones have been found being used as door steps among other uses. Some people in today’s world have absolutely no respect for others.
Complete disrespect .. disgrace .. awful .. hopefully it’s recovered .. I love going up on rich man’s hill!
Just as I was amazed someone would stoop so low as to steal a canoe which is a family relic in Ashland, I guess I’ve found a new low in humanity upon reading this story. I do not care how hard times are or how bored one might be, there is no excuse to disrespect those who have passed before us and their families.
Well, technically he wasn’t the founder of Houlton, but probably 2nd-3rd generation of founders, just recognized as such given his christian/white background, anyway proceed. I’m sure nobody lost any sleep over it, Lol.
Joseph Houlton did found the town. He came to Houlton in 1807, then went briefly to Canada, then returned w/ his family to the community.
If my memory serves me right, from what I know about Aroostook County history, the Maliseets were here long before Joseph Houlton. He certainly didn’t discover “Houlton” anymore that Columbus discovered America!
If MY memory serves ME right, from reading the article, there is no mention of Joseph Houlton discovering anything. In fact, the word discover is nowhere in the article. It’s about low lifes stealing from the dead. Perhaps one reason he “founded” the area as a town, was so a US Post Office could be opened. That way, among other uses, the low lifes would have a place to retrieve their handouts, food stamps, medical cards, etc…..
oh come on now bobby, you know where I ‘m coming from… How unfortunate that you even brought up the low life descendants of Mr. Houlton, in regards to their methods of retrieving their monthly welfare benefits! Shame on you. tisk tisk
An “L” should be branded on forehead,good start for retribution.How will they feel when they explain it was for stealing a headstone.
I say public flogging when you find them and then cut off their hands like other Countries would. This nonsense is getting way out of hand. People have no respect anymore.
Grave robbing is the lowest a person can go. I just got this feeling some bunch got the idea as a halloween thing, but, please whoever you are, take this sin blister off your soul and return it to the graveyard.
It didn’t end well for Bart Simpson when he cut the head from a statue of Jebediah Springfield. Hopefully, the ‘ne’er do wells’ who stole Mr. Houlton’s gravestone will have similar misgivings and return it. If not, they are in for a serious haunting from Houlton’s founder.