Potter's Field Cemetery

Matthew is the son of George & Bernice Spaeth and a member of Boy Scout Troop 668 in Gainesville, Texas. Matthew first became aware of the cemetery when his mother pointed it out to him on the way home from school one day and asked if he knew it was a cemetery? After learning this, he began thinking about those who were buried there...

How many graves are there? How old is it? Why are there no markers? No fence? 

Thoughts of the cemetery drifted in and out of his mind, and then the time came for him to begin thinking of an Eagle Scout project.

Throughout the Eagle Scout project - dedication, workload and many different skills will be learned, but most importantly - leadership. Matthew stated that dedicating himself to not only restoring the cemetery, but bringing respect and dignity to those buried there is more than worthy of his Eagle Scout Project he told the court.

Matthew presented his Eagle Scout Project request to the Cooke County Commissioners Court in May 2021 and was approved. 

Cooke County Commissioners Court Address

Matthew's project plan presented to the court was to work with the County to coordinate any and efforts such as, but not limited to: historical research of the individuals buried there, applying to the County and State to have it deemed worthy of a historical marker, erecting an entry gate and fencing, marking the graves in a respectful manner, placement of historical information signage, construction of a safe and easy access entry way as well as coordinating and managing volunteers.