This is known as the D. M. Cook cemetery since he was the one who began it and who owned the land at the time. It is located in the south southeastern part of Titus County on a knoll overlooking the Cypress Creek bottoms. The site is similar to others chosen by native Americans for their camps and ritual buryings with a vista of more than 180 degrees. The heirs of Bob Sandlin currently own the land and it has been in the family for some time. It is very remote with difficult access through private property. There are seven monuments to the Cook Family. These monuments are enclosed in a native rock fence built by J. J. Cook around the turn of the century. Some of the rocks used in constructing the fence have undiscernable figures and wording on them but because others have subsequently inscribed graffitti it is almost impossible to tell which have historical significance. There are numerous upright stones both inside and outside the rock enclosure that no doubt mark other grave sites (some say slave and indian). It was imposssible to ascertain how many grave sites were marked in this manner since stones from the fence have fallen, been tossed about by visitors to the site, or displaced by wild life either burrowing or browsing the virgin vegetation.

The historical details of this cemetery are partially preserved in an article published by R. B. Palmer of a May 11, 1964 interview with a descendant of D. M. Cook, Mr. A. G. Cook. Mr. Palmer included a picture of a sign placed at the cemetery by Austin G. Cook and Clyde Proctor which reads: D. M. Cook Cemetery; Founded 1850; contains remains 8 members of Cook Family, Daniel Proctor & wife; Restoration date March 1962 by Dan, Jack & Austin Cook & Clyde Proctor. The sign is still standing but has been vandalized. The cemetery was completely cleaned of growth at the time of restoration and there is evidence some cleaning has taken place throughout the years, however, briars, vines and deciduous trees are becoming a major problem and threat to the cemetery.

Sincere thanks go to Bob Sandlin’s daughter, True who made this research possible by granting access permission, guiding to the location, assisting with deciphering the readings and locating other particular historical elements of this study.

To reach the D. M. Cook Cemetery from the Titus County court house, take Madison Avenue south for 0.3 mile to the intersection with Ferguson Road (US 271). Turn left onto Ferguson Road and proceed 3.2 miles (Ferguson Road becomes Texas Highway 49) to the intersection with Farm Road 2348. Turn right onto FM 2348 and proceed 4.5 miles. A relay tower can be seen approximately 0.5 mile to the west of the highway. The cemetery lies approximately 0.6 miles west of the highway in heavily wooded terrain. Coordinates: 33^o04.458'N 094^o55..335'W