ARGONNE, Wis. (AP) _ Residents of a northeast Wisconsin town are trying to understand why vandals targeted the local cemetery, toppling 21 tombstones and causing thousands of dollars in damage.

Forest County authorities say the gravemarkers in Argonne had been knocked off their foundations, and some were broken.

Deputies say vandals struck the same cemetery a few weeks ago, that time knocking down four gravestones.

Some of the tombstones date back to the mid-1800s. Sheriff Keith Van Cleve says that could make it difficult to track down family members to see if they want to replace gravestones or try to have them repaired.

Former Argonne resident Agnes Jock was at the cemetery Thursday to visit her husband's grave. Her family members' headstones were untouched but she said seeing the damage around her left her floored.