The following was submitted by Brad L. Bettenhausen, President of the Tinley Park Historical Society.

   This document shows the beginning process of condemnation. This process was needed due to the lack of Edward M. Everden nor any heirs being present to clear up the ownership of the cemetery. When the transfer of the property surrounding Batchelors Grove cemetery was made it was agreed that the cemetery was not a part of the sale.

   There was a lot of confusion however with details of sales over the years. First, no dimensions were given showing the true boundaries of the cemetery and the Everdons did retain ownership of the cemetery according to the deed. Since the Forest Preserves eventually gained ownership of the property surrounding the cemetery the biggest question came up as to who was liable for the cemetery since it wasn't a part of the sale. Not only did it question the liability issue but it also questioned as to what parts near the cemetery did the Forest Preserves actually own? As most of you know, it is obvious that the Forest Preserves do not want to be liable for the cemetery. With this in mind and the fact that they wanted to know what parts of the property they actually owned a strategy was created to solve the problem. Without going into much detail, to avoid claiming the cemetery as their own and giving it the protection and care that it deserves they decided to go through the process of condemnation and in the process shift the cemetery over to someone else, that someone else ends up being the Land Management Office of Cook County since the Everdons nor any heirs could be located.