Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-03-26
ELwwOOD
Response TO the COmmunfca-
lion of Citizen.
Editors Memphis Appeal :

Editors Memphis Appeal:
Ry q resolution of the BOaHd it has
been long since determined not to answer
anonymous communications, but 1t may
be well to say in addition to what has
been stated in the published card of the
Board Of Managers
TaRt this Company is 8 private cOrpo-
/ ration on the plan OF neSrly all other
cemeteries known to us near cities and
| towns of any note in the United States.
The object Of these cemeteries has been
20 int Tmingle the charm of landscape
aud park scenery with the more gloomy
associations of the grave. This mas
been carried out in most OF them upon
an elaborate and expensive scale. It is
inteaded that EImwood shall rival any
Of them in beauty, and to attain that
object no reasonable expense will be
spared.
This Company was established by an
association of gentlemen, citizens and
residents of Memphis, many OF whom
now sleep in EimwOOd. Their prime
object WAS to secure for themselves 3
family buTyiDg spot which might be
kent up ana adorned when they were no
more.
The stock Of this Company, chartered
IN 1853, was made up OF fifty shares OF
500 each, which has ali been fully paid
up, making q capital of S25. 600. This
has never been increased or diminished.
Upon this stock 8 dividend of 10 per cent.
annually, or $50 upon each share Of $500,
has been declared, and the stockholders
nave decided never 10 declare d greater
dividend than 10 per cent. per annum.
For the last two years no dividend could
be paid, the whole amount of receipts
have been expended in paying the
debts of the Company, in beautifying
and improving the grounds, end paying
up the calls on 5000 stock in the Her
naudO Branch Of the Memphis City Rail-
road, to enable lot owners and citizens
generally to visit the grounds. While
upon the subject of expenditures, it may
be well to state that this Company is
now cooperating with the city in repair
ing the streets and roads II aiding to the
North gate, for funeral professions. A
new aud more appropriate Receiving
Vault has been ordered to be erected at
heavy expense, and, in time, it is in
tended to construct permanent grsveled
road-Ways, to erect substantial bridges TO
spsn the bayOus, to ornament the
grounds with artificial lakes and foun-
tains, and enclose them with q hand
some iron fence. One hundred and fifty
thousand dollars could be expended al
ILLS LLnb III tdGEJiuS Jul AHoSS OhJSSAos
The small djUideRdS which have been
declared were not designed for money
making, bu5 to induce the stockholders
to take sufficient interest in the Company
20 keep Up its organization and faithful
management. We repeat again, this
stock was not intended for speculation
or jJbbing, nor is it a charity, or the
grounds a pOtter's field.
About nins-tenths OF the receipts of
this Company have been expended in
improving the grounds and building up
the cemetery from a wild woods to its
present condition. The price Of lots
range from twenty-five to fifty cents a
foot, out a small spot originally dedicated
for the erection Of a Chapel has been sold
as high as seventy-fve gents per foot.
This is less, we think. than the average
OF prices ia other Cemsteries of any note,
and they cannot be sold any lower to
carry out the views OF the founders of
ElmwoOd. We may mention that lots
we're sold in Laurel Fill Cemetery, four
miles out from Philadelphia, at sixty
cents per foot twenty-five years ago.
Our price FOR a single interment range
from IS to So, when, at Belle Fountain
Cemetery, six miles out from st. Louis,
S15 is charged. Our prices are never
complained of by those who desire to
purchase, and always seem satisfactory to
the public. Respectfully,
o LENOW,
w. b. MILLER,
j. d. WILLIAMS,
j. N. WILLIAMSON,
a y. EDMgND5,
Managers.