New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-10-08
THE IMMIGRANTS BURIAL PLACE.


/ AN IMPROVEMENTS on THE OLD METHOD OF rNTERRING
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. or THE CEMETERY
ON WARDS ISLAND.
Last Summer the Commissioners of Emigra-
ton established on Wards Island new cemetery for
the burial OF grants who die under their charge
These were formerly buried in the pauper burying
grounds on Harris Island but ths system appearing IN
many ways Objectionable, tho new grounds were Sc
lected and action Of the Emigration Commission has
been recently approved by the Board Of Health Pre-
yious TO the past Summer. Commissioner Stevenson
SAYS, the bodies Of immigrants who died on Wards
Island were delivered to the Commissioners OF Pbulc
Charities and Correction. under whose charge they
we're taken TO Harris Island and ndiscrim-
pately buried In the trenches where the bodies
of paupers are deposited, the Emigration Commits
soners exercising no control over them after they
left Wards Island. The charge made by the Charity
Commissioners for these services 80 cents for each
burial In consequence Of this Of burial It
practically impossible to find q body which had once
deposited in the trenches there being no means OF
Identification. Often the family Of deceased imm
grant would be sorely disappointed applying to re.
the body OF relative, to find that i had been
packed into trench with the bodies of psupers in such
a way that it could be identified Many OF the
Immigrants thus buried had highly respectable relatives
whose grief very learning that their friends
had been hurried into graves without even the rites OF
Christian burial One wealthy German family were
ready expend &c. to the body OF relative
which had been inferred In Of the trenches but
search was frutless On this account 1t felt by the
Emigration Commissioners that they ought to have
separate place of burial for the immigrants in
their charge. They claimed that these immigrants
were in paupers since they were not charge
upon the public, all the expenses of their keeping
Ing from the immigrants own pockets Accordingly in
June last they applied to the Commissioners Of Charities
and Correction for permission to set apart separate
place on Harris Island the burial OF immigrants Of
fering TO Themselves the expense of ncosng it.
This refused. and all they could get permission
dig two separate trenches without the right to put
I'D an incosure to erect headboards at the graves
Soon afterward they we're informed by the Charity
Commissioners that the price for the burial OF immi.
grants would. about July be increased from so cents
willing comply with. provided their request for sep
arate burial place and other Of Identification
the board Of Health for permission to open burial
ground Of their Wards Island. Another reason
Which led them to take this step the fact that in
bad and foggy weather the boat OF the Charity Commits
sa 70 s f sfsa az s ns
bodies sometimes reached more or less advanced stage
Board Of Health visited wards Island 10 body,
examined tho ground selected as site for the new
purpose 1t was accordingly Enclosed by the Emigra.
ton Commissioners with picket fence. neatly painted
q! acres Of dry sandy soil, situated at the northern
portion OF Wards Island near Little He'll Gate. 1t has
is shaded by beautiful OF trees II is DIVIDED by
fence into portions the larger portion comprising
about OF the whole being used for the burial
of those OF Roman Catholic faith and the remaining
o. rtiOn for those not OF that faith Each Of these
y rtions has been consecrated by appropriate
rites. The ground used would probably never
sHr the buildings Sn s
and 1t estimated to DO sufficiently large to furnish
burial place for immigrant dead during the next IS
years The first interment In 1t made on July 10.
Since that time 1t has received 81 bodies The average
IA from ais Every body inferred Is honOred with
the rites Of Christian burial There is Roman Catholic
and Protestant Clergyman on the island who usually
ofciate II II the desire OF the deceased to be
that denomination Is sent for The graves are dug Is
feet Deep and five adults placed In EACH above
feet OF loose earth covers the upperm0st
cofn Every time body put In grave 1t Is hlled to
wooden roof When grave has its full quota OF collins
| Il is finally filled in and neatly sodded At the head
"a placed o board with the names OF the inmates
engraved 1t In the order OF their places In the grave
40 that any particular body be found without
trouble. The cons OF grained pine, and are made
on the island On each inscribed the name, and
date OF death Of the inmate record Is kept OF every
DEATH with the number or the In which the body
the books the exact location OF body may
be asceraned. The cemetery Is In charge OF sexton
who that everything Is properly conducted. The
cemetery is regarded with great favor by immigrants
and during the whole Summer many Of the gnaves have
beep with flowers by friends Of the deceased
The Mennonite Immigrants, who are usually possessed
considerable wealth. are SAID to be especially well
pleased with the change which insures their receiving
an honorable and Christian burial In case OF their death
while in charge Of the Emigration Commissioners.
Dnrng last Summer father and mother came To look
for the body OF their daughter which had been Inferred
in the new burial ground intending to remove IT, but
thew were SO well satisfied with the manner and place OF
their chids nterment that they determined not to dis
| turb the body.