Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1875-01-29
The Proposed New Cemetery.

| aho AVPVHto ANS" .shuNttsIf
MR. EpIToR ask small space in
the TIMES, for the purpose of correcting
some reports in circulation in reference
to the connection of myself and Others
with the movement for the purchase of
the Elwell land for cemetery. Were
not these reports of such an extraordina-
ry character, would not ask this favor.
Previous to, and at the town meeting
held on the 22d instant, l was anxious
for, and advocated the purchase by the
town of Robert Elwell, five acres of the
plain or terrace land, lying westwardly
of the village at the base of the noun
tain. My motive for so doing was, that
| thought it a convenient and suitable
location, and having conversed with
those without cemetery privileges in this
place pretty generally, learned that this
locality was desired by them. The want
of cemetery privileges, had on two occa-
sions, been to me very sad and painful,
as it had been to many others with whom
| acted in this matter. | found last Dc
tober, that Mr.. Elwell would sell this
land for cemetery, and that the least
sum he would sell for was seven hundred
dollars per acre. Mr.. Elwell had been
offered 500 per acre for two acres of it,
by a citizen of this place, and by one
who is not acting with those who are ask
ing for this land for a cemetery Iasked
Mr.. Elwell TO delay selling, and went
and consulted with several citizens, some
who are already supplied with cemetery
privileges and many who are not sup
piled All conversed with agreed that
the land was suitable, desirable and the
price reasonable. In order to secure the
land so that it might be had for this
purpose and this purpose only, obligat-
ed myself to Mr.. Elwell to pay him this
amount for the land and interest on the
money from last October. was willing
to pay this amount of interest out of my
own pocket, for the purpose of having
our great want supplied, and for this
beautiful location. In addition to this
had said, would on the purchase of the
land, subscribe and pay one hundred
dollars towards fencing and identifying
the grounds. | meant what / said. The |
above statement, Mr. Editor, is the truth
and the whole truth in relation to my
connection with this matter. / am one
of those who believe there is no place
too good, too beautiful for resting place
for our dead. Instead of making money
out of this transaction | was to lose
money. was not to receive penny
for my services in securing this locality
for cemetery, directly or indirectly.
The only compensation | was to have
in the whole matter, was the satisfaction
of knowing that | had, with others, Sc
cured a place where our scattered dead
could be gathered together
1t has been industriously reported by
some whose names shall not be mention
ed, that Mr. Elwell was not to receive
the full amount voted by the town; that
| and others were specializing out of the
town in this matter. The persons who
reported this statement must have known,
if they had taken the slightest pains to
inform themselves, that there was not
the faintest color of truth in it. They
could have learned about it by inquir-
ing of Mr.. Elwell, L. NJ Read, ESQ, or
of L. ID. Hurd and others. 1t has been
industriously circulated by those who
never had any evidence to support it,
not presume for the purpose Of doing
a wrong to myself and others, but be-
cause it afforded them powerful weap-
on by which opposition could be stirred
up to the Elwell land for cemetery.
Finding that this statement has been
put into such extensive circulation. |
have deemed it my duty to correct it in
the interests of truth and in Justice to
myself and others.
CHARLES B. EDDY.
Jan. 81 1875