1875 thru 1942
- North Sawba has its official beginning on the 10th day of Oct 1875,
when a tract of land was given to the New Hope Church of the Methodist
Episcopal Church South to be used for a cemetery.This tract of land
which was on high ground, was used for burials years before it
officially became a cemetery. Since it was a "free" cemetery people
from all areas including Armorel, Huffman, Delt, Blytheville,Yarbro,
Gosnell and even some from Missouri buried their family members and
friends here. It is believed North Sawba Cemetery may contain Civil War
casualties from the military action that took place on the Pemiscot
Bayou. It is known there are Civil War and WW1 veterans buried here.
- On the 17th day of April 1942, the War Department authorized the U.S.
Army to acquire 2670 acres of land, including North Sawba Cemetery to
establish a twin engine flying field on the Gosnell site. On the 10th
day of June 1942 the U.S. Army Air Force Advanced Flying School(T.F)
was activated. The U.S. Army surveyed , recorded and made a grid
showing monuments and numerous markers of metal and other materials,
and a total of 1806 pieces were removed and replaced . In 1945 the U.
S. Army Air Field was deactivated and the cemetery reverted to the City
of Blytheville Arkansas.
- In 1955 North Sawba Cemetery once again returned to government
jurisdiction with the activation of Blytheville Air Force Base later
renamed Eaker Air Force Base, until base closure December 1992. Of the
339 monuments and markers of other materials totaling 1806 pieces the
U.S. Army listed in 1942, only 125 tombstones remain. It was discovered
that the grid to the cemetery was missing the tombstones replaced in no
certain order.
- There may be as many as 5000 persons buried in North Sawba Cemetery,
however, there are no available records before 1920. Cobb and Holt
Funeral Home records, McHaney Monument records, the Blytheville Courier
news newspapers were researched and individuals have given the names of
their relatives and friends that they know are buried there. A complete
listing will never be accomplished.
- This monument is dedicated to all
persons buried in North Sawba Cemetery.
Erected 1998
- Researched by Gene and Ruby Hunziker.
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