The Portland daily press., 1882-07-20
EVERGREEN CEMETERY.
Annual Visit to this Beautiful "City of
the Dead


Yesterday afternoon by invitation of the
trustees Of Evergreen Cemetery, Mayor Libby,
accompanied by the committee on cemeteries
and public grounds visited the cemetery for
the purpose of inspecting the grounds as to
their general condition as we'll as the improve
rnents already made and in progress in the
cemetery The afternoon was beautiful, the
rain of the morning having laid the dust and
given to the grass and foliage clean and
bright appearance.
We have many times referred to this, the
chief and important cemetery of the city, as to
its natural advantages and general condition,
but never with moro satisfaction than today.
From the time of entering the cemetery
through it's beautiful and well-kept entrance,
through the entire circuit of the grounds, one
particularly notices the clean and neat appear
ance of the avenues and paths which is essen
tial to well-kept grounds We were somewhat
surprised to know that the city during the
present year was caring for about 1900 lots in
the cemetery, and we were still more surprised
to notice the large number uncared for upon
being informed of the small fee charged by the
city for annual care of lots. The contrast be-
tween those cared for and those uncared for is
very great and we could readily appreciate
the anxiety of the trustees in their endeavor
to have all lots cared for in the cemetery. Its
general appearance demands it, and the con-
trast every year more clearly seen should GER
tainly induce lot-holders to give this matter at
tention.
We notice large increase of signs upon lots
marked perpetual care" and were informed
that the demand for this care is greatly in
creasing, an evidence of confidence on the
part of the holders by the attention given con-
tracts thus made. We do not hesitate to say
that the generalSconditions of fairgrounds have
been very much improved within the past two
or three years.
We notice several new and costly pieces OF
work in the cemetery and very many of small
er cost. Among the most noticeable ones al
ready completed are, the beautiful design
erected to the late DR.. Hersom, o splendid
piece of work indeed; the costly monument
erected upon the lot of Charles Bailey, and al
SO upon the Winslow lot A number of cost
ly pieces of work are in contemplation, and in
deed in progress The Messrs Chapman are
putting in granite border preparatory to erect
ing monument; also the j. b. Pickett lot is
being bordered with granite. The loIs of the
Old Ladies' Home are being bordered with
granite, and when completed and graded will
present very attractive appearance. Among
those contemplating monuments upon their
lots are Chas. B. Nash, Il. A. Waldron, w. ID.
Clifford and others. The water works erected
two years ago are giving good satisfaction, and
the trustees hope to bo able to extend the lines
of pipe during the coming year.
The location of the Office, waiting room, tool
house, &c., at the entrance has proved great
convenience and decided improvement over
the former arrangements.
The trustees have long felt the necessity of
green house at the cemetery, both for supply
of plants for the ornamental beds Of the
grounds and to meet the demand Of lot holders.
We were shown plan for contemplated cot
tage and green house to be erected on the
point of the recent purchase of the old Mag
dalene cemetery extending to the Stevens
Plains road. The trustees have in view the
opening of second entrance at this point,
more especially designed for heavy loaded
teams with view of saving as much as possi-
BILE the present entrance. Near this entrance
they contemplate the erection of the cottage
and green house reserying the rear for shrubs,
trees, &c. 1t is believed that the saving to the
city independent of the demands of lot holders
will in short time pay the entire cost of fit
ting up. Hundreds of dollars are annually ex-
pended for plants, &C., in this cemetery to be
entirely lost at the first frost for want of pro-
pagating houses, and we can readily see the
great advantages both in expense and in
quality which this arrangement would give.
The trustees are also convinced that the
Superintendent should live near the cemetery
to be easily fourd as well as in position to have
ali oversight of all interests of the cemetery.
This work will be commenced as soon as the
finances Of the cemetery will warrant We
were especially pleased with the discipline
everywhere apparent and with the neat APP
pearance Of the Office and the books and ac-
counts of the cemetery, Our citizens can
with pride point out this beautiful resting
place of the dead