Columbia gazette., 1854-02-04
For the Columbia Gazette

MR. EDITOR:
In the Gazette, No. SO, I notice a
correspondence over the signature Of
Miner. So many claiming that name,
am at loss to know the author.
| am glad that Miner brings the grave
yard into notice, although 1 am sorry
that there is necessity for it. Indians
have Sacred Reverence for their dead.
How much more should we with min
ers, feel ieterested in seeing the resting
place OF our deceased friends and neigh
bors preserved inviolate. Some time
since, part Of the front fence was torn
down, and carried away.
A few days ago, had the front gate
and fence repaired, and requested the
miners to stop digging near the fence,
throwing tailings over the fence on
the graves, or letting water run, or lie
stopped in reservoir near the graves.
l, as one Of the committee on the
grave yard, politely asked the miners
working on the claim, which had under
mined the fence, SO that it fell down, to
put up the fence again. He answered
that he would neither sx the fence,
replace the ground, or give anything to
its being done, and used very inappro-
pirate language, to the effect that | was
meddling with what did not belong to
me.
Probably am; but I feel that it is our
duty to pay that respect to the remains
oteur deceased fellow men, which is due
from civilized and christian people
In accordance with the request of many
miners and citizens Of Columbia, pre-
sented the following memorial
To the Uon. CAairmon, end Members Of
the 1IIn>rs .Comm;ttse, Columbia 1Nin-
ing District.
l would respectfully beg leave to re-
fer You TO the damage done to the grave
yard fence, by miners undermining the
posts, &c., sc.
knowing that you all feel an interest
In seeing the last resting place of our
fellow man preserved from d-secra,ion
and wish to pay that respect which is
due the departed
lst. Undermining the posts and the
fence till it fails down.
2d. Building small reservoirs, back
ing and running water near graves.
Sd. To their throwing tailings against
and over the fence on the graves.
TO the above l would respectfully
call your attention, for many have
spoken to me lately in reference TO it,
and say that you can remedy the mat
| ter.
The chairman, Mr.. Fletcher present
ed the memorial, but the committee
would not take any action in reference
to it
The amount needed to fix the grave
yard, its fence, and road to it, is but
trifling considering the disgrace it is to
US, to let them remain as they now are,
or to allow still further depredations on
the repository of the dead.
find that good road could be made
to the yard the ground having been
worked out. There would be very little
difficulty, as all that is needed is few
slabs to make bridge, and little la
Dor, levelling down the tailings and fiji :
ling up the holes.
| have spoken to the miners owning
claims through which the road passes,
and they are willing it should go through.
Something ought to be done Immediate
ly or We shall have no place in few
months to deposit ou- dead
l have said that I would not have
anything more to do with public mat
ters, like the above; for. in the past, l
have only been cursed for what l have
done. But feeling that it was my duty :,
out of respect to the deceased, although
most all were comparative strangers to me
to call the public attention to the same,
knowing well that many are not per-
sonally acquainted with present condi-
ton, hoping that an early move will be
made, and that some one will suggest a
plan for its accomplishment.
| j. HARRISON.
| RIOT AT EUREKA-FIyE MEN SuoT