Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1872-06-20
Vandalism at the Cemeteries,
WHO IS RESPONSIBILITY

For some time past it has been noticed
that flowers and bouquets, with which the
graves of our dead had been adorned
were, at different times, carried away.
This was especially noticeable on and
Immediately after Decoration Day,
Bouquets and Wreaths were taken from
the graves of soldiers, before the
procession was fairly out of sight, and
the next mornings sun looked down up
on the Rutland cemeteries with the
graves of her gallant dead unmarked
save by mother earth. So has it been
with the graves where fond parents had
placed some floral tribute of their affec-
ton to the loved and lost little one lying
beneath, No sooner was the tributelef
than it diappearcd. 1t was hoped, for q
time, that these We're but the acts of
thoughtless children, without any aim
but the qualification of a natural taste
for the beautiful. But these outrages-
we can call them by no other name
have gone further and show that they
have been committed by older and more
deprayed persons. Rare plants and
shrubs, procured at a distance and at a
considerable expenditure of money, have
been dug up and carried away. Similar
plants in costly vases have also disap-
pcQFed. Is it not time this spepies OF
vandalism and outrage should cease 2
Are the authorities of the town and the
officers of the cemetery wholly blame.
less in the premises? ? Look at the con.
dition of West street cemetery 1t Is
open to the beasts of the fields, as well
as the birds of the air, and can be and is
used as play ground and a pasture. Is
not its condition a disgrace to Rutland
and to the age? How is it with Ever
green cemetery? Money has been ex-
pended without stint, to make it one of
the most beautiful 'cities of the dead
in the country. Drives and walks have
been laid out in making it attractive.
The lot itself, unadOrned, cannot be sur
passed for natural beauty, with its gen
tie undulations from hill to vale and from
vale to hill. An expensive marble wall
and other proper fence surrounds it,
with an iron gate and gateway to protect
the grounds and secure them from i'm
proper intrusion. Yet the gates are wide
open, no keeper or other person, attends,
ard the whole cemetery becomes and is
a free and open common. If theproper
authorities thus neglect the resting
places of the dead, is it so much matter
of surprise that others should enter in
and complete the desecration Let us
all awake to the subject. Let proper
care be taken of the cemeteries, and let
the Vandalg who, ghOul-like, thus prey
on the sacred habitations Of the dead,
meet a just punishment for their con-
tcmtible and sacreligious acts
\ SHooTING AFFRAY.-On Tuesday
OF last week Alonzo Davis andhis father,
of Vershire, undertook to cross ths land
of John Carlton. after being forbidden
by Carlton. Davis then set a large dog
on Carlton, who pulled a revolver and
shot him, Davis and son thcrcupon at
tackled Carlton, and in the melee young
Davis was fatally shot in the bowels
Carlton Immediately went 70 Chelsea
and gave himself up, and was put under
81 900 bail, Moses Spear becoming his
bail. Carlton says it was accidental
Young Davis had Threatened 10 shoot