John:

Consider contacting your local genealogy society or county historical society. They would have the knowledge of folks who would come "read" the cemetery, photograph it, map or diagram it. Missouri has a fairly rigid cemetery law to help protect plots just like this. See RSMO Chapter 214 ( http://www.moga.state.mo.us/STATUTES/C214.HTM ) I recently met with a gentleman that has 7 CSA soldier graves on his property that are rudimentarily marked. 5 in one group, 2 in another. He has the same fears as you expressed concerning trespassing and vandalism. With that said, there is an open cemeteries law in Missouri that requires landowners to give access to cemeteries within reason, i.e. permission to enter during daylight hours, may be accompanied by landowner, etc.

There is also some counties where cemeteries become the responsibility of the township or county after so many years. The local county archivist may have a wealth of information on the cemetery already.

In my experience folks of this nature, those that are interested in cemetery preservation, are very much concerned with maintaining the appropriate respect such grounds deserve and are more than willing to help landowners preserve the heritage inherent in this cemeteries.

You may also want to contact the Central Missouri Cemeteries organization their website is http://cemeteries.missouri.org/Main.html

Best of luck! I hope this gem gets documented properly so as to preserve and protect it.

John R.