New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-11-02
AMONG THE DEPARTED
IN THE CITY CEMETERIES
OBSERVANCE Of ALL SAINTS DAY

OBSERVANCE OF ALL SAINTS DAY
The custom Of devoting the first day Of
November, All Saints Day, to departed
relatives and friends was even more gen.
orally observed yesterday than in previous
years. Early in the morning, noswithstand-
| ing tho dismal weather, thousands Of our
citizens visited the different cemeteries, all
carrying flowers, wreaths and mementoes
with which to decorate graves, and tombs
Of deceased loved ones. Loving hearts
were stirred with kind emotions for the
memory Of those gone before, and many .
tear was dropped as thoughts of dear ones
arose. "reminiscences of buried years were
recalled and softly spoken of by living
kindred; the dead were not forgotten by
the survivors. For one day at least active
minds were turned from the grooves Of
worldly business and directed toward the
known past and the unknown future.
1t is not necessary to say that the custom
is beautiful one-one that leads human
nature to dwell on moral subjects, to train
the spirit for the great hereafter. The act
or custom speaks for itself.
lafayette Ce1eteries, Washinsten Street.
The first, q square of ground, is nearly
full Of tombs, most of them such as wealth
and good taste would build. Among the most
prominent Of association tombs is that OF
Jefferson No. g, erected in the year 1852.
Those brave firemen who have served their
terms were not forgotten by living men,
bers. The vaults were neatly draped with
flags, streamers, wreaths and flowers. The
family tombs of Messrs. Adam Bensel, E. D.
Woodlief, J. G.. E. Aurich, D. r. Goodwin
and many others were elegantly trimmed
with plain white flowers and souvenirs.
Even lOwly graves showed that careful
hands had attended, if for nothing more
than to clear away weeds and drop q single
rose above the spot where rests the remains
Of perhaps . sister, brother, father or
mother. .....
Lafayette Hook and Ladder Company's
large tomb wore weeds of wo, as also did
that of Chalmette No. g. Gentle hands had
trimmed the vaults with fitting mementoes.
Some kind soul had not forgotten the
Poydras Orphans Rest, for tearfnl flowers
were strewn around this unpretendiug pile.
The splendid tomb of Captain c. w.
Mcclellan was neatly decorated with ever
greens and autumal flowers. Evidently his
is still green in many bosoms. A
broken column of marble has carved ON it
IA L.
which is a crescent. This cemetery was
thronged from morning until dark.
The second of the Lafayette cemeteries
was we'll attended all day, and scarce a
grave but was marked with some token to |
denote that . survivor remembered the |
dead.
The fine tomb of United Order of Druids. |
Oak Grove No. ?, was neatly dressed with
wreaths of oak leaves, while the hall was
lett open for inspection.
Two large lots, one on either side Of wide
cross path, modestly fenced with wooden
ratings, showed that German societies re-
member their dead. Burials here were
under the sod.
Societe de Renaissance des Bouc hers is
The inscription of a fine vault. Streamers
in black and white denoted that memory
was still alive for the departed. central
hall was kept open in order that visitors
night enter if they chose.
A tomb of the Workingmen's Society
bore evidence that the living are yet
thoughtful of the dead.
Although this cemetery is compar atively
lew yet the ground is nearly all taken.
No. was tolerably we'll attended, and
most of the graves, tombs and vaults deco
'ated in a becoming manner.
A constant stream of people passed from
'ne of the Lafayette cemeteries to the
'ther. many bearing souvenirs for the dead.
Girod Street Cemetery.
This is about the Oldest burial ground
Ib0ve Canal street, and contains the re-
mains of some noted men. Here is the
over the remains of Lieutenant
Colonel w. ;. S. Bliss, above whose head
IRE inscribed the words: Monterey, Resaca
lie la Palma, Buena Vista, Palo Alto" He
vas General Taylor's chief of staff in the
Mexican war, and gained for himself a bril-
liant reputation, but from August, 1853, the
late of his death, an ungrateful nation per-
nitted his name to pass almost into oblivion.
70 tender hand tore the weeds from over his
ust, no gentle fingers strewed flowers
round his grave. But he sleeps we'll for
II that, and the fact that he was one of our
Ountry's defenders is sufficient eulogy for
brave soldier. Green moss on his tomb
lings as close as would bright laurels or
leek chrysanthemums.
Most of the colored associations and be
evolent societies have purchased ground in :
his yard, and greatly improved it, too. Sa-
'aritan Missionary Society, Pure Friendship,
'nion Sons Relief, John Wesley, St. John I
be Baptist, Good Shepherd Conclave.
'nion Wake, Home Missionary Benevolent
association, Male and Female Benevolent '
ociety, Young Eureka Association, Young I
Using Sun, were all neatly and appro-
riately decorated for the occasion. Men, :
ara Of each were there mokin0 oil 1ool, |