The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-08-09
EVERGREEN CEMETERY.
Official Visit OF the Trustees and Mem
bers of the City Government.

Yesterday afternoon the trustees of Ever
green Cemetery, accompanied by His Honor
Mayor Senter, the committee on public
grounds, and members of the press visited the
cemetery Tor the purpose of looking over the
improvements which have been made there Of
late On the way the party drove through
the Oaks, and many were the remarks made
upon the greatly improved appearance Of this
spot. Roads have been made through the
grove in different directions, underground re-
moved and we may reasonably expect this 10
cality to become fayorite and beautiful re-
sort ere long. Lavish expenditures ia the
present financial condition of the city are not
desired and are not made, but every improve
ment is made with a sharp lookout for modes
ty, neatness and economy.
Arriving at and entering the cemetery by
the main entrance the first thing that attracts
ones attention is the handsome little edi6ee on
the lett, IN which is the Superintendent's Of
nee, also an office for tho trustees, beside
pubic waiting room provided with all the
modern conveniences. This does away with
the unsightly building which formerly stood in
the centre of the cemetery, and gives addition
al lots in most desirable portion which win
bring between 500 and $500. 4 further ad-
dition of 30x16 feet is soon to be made to the
new Superintendent's building, which will
contain rooms for storing tools, sc also two
stalls for waiting teams. We should also men,
ton an improvement in the main entrance to
the grounds, both for foot passengers and
teams; these have been graded up, covered
with gravel and viii be rolled solid, and pre-
vent water from standing upon them as it has
done in the past.
The general appearance of the grounds is
beautiful indeed at this season of the year, and
the efficient Superintendent, Mr.. Patrick
Duffey, is devoting his whole time and atten
ton in assisting Nature to make this city of
the dead lovely spot In front of his office.
Where once stood an unsightly heap of rubbish,
Mr. DGffey has arranged handsome flower
garden, in the centre Of which is drinking
fountain. In another locality, at the eastern
end of the grounds once stood huge ledge;
this has been removed by him, and IN its
place now is pretty sheet of water enclosed in
circular wall of rock. In time it is;proposed
by the trustees to put in a handsome fountain
here. The whole expense Of fitting up the lat
ter place did not exceed 800. There san un-
limited supply Of water sent in different d.
rections through the grounds, which is pump
ed up twenty feet by windmill from never
failing well of water into cistern which holds
$1,000 gallons, and from this point sent over
the grounds.
Ihirty-six men are constantly employed in
ana about the cemetery and the results of their
laDors are shown in the tasteful appearance
OF the lots. Some of the lots, however, we are
sorry to say, show signsof neglect, but thew
are those over which the Superintendent has
no control. They are located almost in the
centre OF the cemetery and are particularly no
tlceable The trustees are trying to perfect
some plan by which all the lots may receive
the same care and attention, and it is hoped
they may succeed IN 80 doing.
Located in another portion of the grounds is
ledge which furnishes an abundant supply
OF stone for foundation purposes; while in still
another portion is an unlimited supply of
gravel for grading. On the whole il seems as
though Nature has provided here all the
requisites for making this sacred spot lovely
one, and skilled hands are utilizing all this.
80 that visitors now IN driving over its eight
miles OF avenues or in walking through it's
seventeen miles OF paths by the side OF the
ponds and the innumerable resting places OF
loved ones, are led to exelam 'This is indeed
o lovely spotl'
All OF the parties expressed themselves in
terms OF the highest praise at the gener al an
pearance OF e. ergreen, and the manner in
which its affairs appear to be conducted. The
trustees, Messrs l. D. Cnshman, VIM. r.
Small and VIM. NJ. Marks, are evidently well
qualified for this responsible position, and they
are ably seconded in their duties by ssuperin-
tendent Duffey. The company returned to
the city about $50 o'clock, after having passed
nearly the entire afternoon in their very pleas
AM duty OF inspection OF these grounds Any
one who desires to visit a beautiful section of
Portlands suburbs should not fail to visit this |
city of the dead