The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-10-19
Removal of the Cemeteries


To the Editor of the Herald,
Man is certainly singular creature.
Strange impressions are often made upon
his mind These are transmitted from sire
to son. and the most implicit credence at
tached TO their truth For instance, there
are those who honestly believe that grave
yards yawn and ghosts of the departed
dead actually stalk through them in wind
ing sheets and sepulchral groans, the ter
rOr of naughty boys and unregenerate sim
ners. 70 reason with such Is time thrown
away. They can tell you Of numerous in
stances in which such things have happened
and furnish any amount of argument to
support the theory" You may even &C.
if no hideous sight presents itself he will
simply say: well, it is not q good night
for ghosts"
Again, others have been told that ceme-
teries are the hot-beds of disease and pestil-
ence. Numerous arguments have been
advanced, and some by intelligent men, in
support Of this theory, if it can be so digni-
fled. These are sometimes called sanitary
reasons" and these sometimes win. But
behind them and hid from public view is
an argument far more potent thanthat which
apparently influences our solons and ju-
rists. In this utilitarian age there are some
who care naught for arguments and theo-
ries, nor reckless assertion. The world is
full of them. They want facts.
Cemeteries have existed from the earliest
ages, many of them in the very hearts OF
populous cities. Is there any well anthem
ticated instance in which, after careful
scientific investigation, disease has been
traced directly to them. If so have not
found it.
have been led to these remarks from the
communications in your columns favoring,
and your editorials opposing the removal
Of the dead from their old cemetery by
order OF our city council, and the fear that
they might call forth some haSty action.
Having an interest in one OF these cemete-
ries, ask that no action be taken until the
following facts are closely and conclusively
established. First, has the city council au-
thority to act as desiredp Second, do these
cemeteries produce disease, and II so, is
there no sanitary measure short OF the re-
removal the dead that can produceit.
The dead of these cemeteries were buried
when il was strictly legal to do 80. They
were buried in property bought and dedica-
ted to this social purpose, and for myself, |
deny the power or authority Of the city
council Of Dallas, or ANY other body of men,
either to disturb my dead or require me to
do so. further deny the existence Of any
sanitary causes TO warrant any such action.
To those who have relatives aud friends
buried in these cemeteries, | offer a
suggestion Of which perhaps they are not
aware. III removed to the new cemetery
they will be deposited with the unknown
and undistinguished herd in the "potters
field"
The language of the deed to the city is,
ito be used only for the purpose of inter
ring the dead bodies Of paupers and .indi-
gent poor people, See book IL, page SS5,
records of Dallas county. Is is possible
that our loved ones are so soon forgotten,
their memory to be crushed by the accursed
wheels Ofmammon's car? Il.