The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-03-30
STATE CEMETERY.
THE PLACE WHERE TEXAN
HEROES LIE.
What Has Been Done TO Beautify
the Grounds, and Who are
Sleeping There.

Il
Sleeping There.
|
A reporter of the STATESMAN, in com
pazy with General A. w. Spraight, com
missioner of insurance, ETC., and
er-01ielO superintendent of public build
ings and grounds, yesterday visited the
state cemetery.
To the visitor who has not seen the
grounds as they have been changed and
beautifled during the winter, the sacred
spot is barely recognizable, save by the
stones and slabs which mark the last
resting place of
TEXAS HEROIC DEAD.
The appropriation made by the legis-
lature at its last session for building a
fence around the state cemetery,
and for putting the same in
order, has been expended under the per-
sonal supervision and direction of Gen.
eral Spraight. Finding from an inspec-
ten of manufacturers price lists that
the amount appropriated was not suf-
ticient to purchase first class iron fence
Of the required length, he selected the
material next in order of cost and dura-
bllity, namely, mountain cedar, for the
posts, and cypress for ratings and palings,
and with that had erected a substantial,
and by no means, inelegant fence. 1t is
thought that the fence constructed of the
materials named will last fully
QUARTER OF CENTURY.
The cemetery is entered through
two large srched gates, on the
north and south sides, and the
two principal walks are made in
the shape Of cross. These walks, or
avenues, more properly speakin, hav,
been deeply sanded and graveled and
curbed on either side, and two thousand
feet of hedge of dg1ritG transplanted
from Mt. Bonnet This years growth
of the borders will add greatly to the
appearance of the enclosure. Combining
himself exclusively to native growtAs in
| the selection of trees, shrubs
and plants, Commissioner Spaight
has caused to be set out seventy-five live
oaks and the same number of cedars
At the
HEAD OF EACH GRAVE
has been planted a mountain laurel.
These all appeared to be doing well,
giving evidence of vigorous growth.
The entire enclosure of five acres has
been thoroughly MANFRED, SUBSIDIZED and
pulverized twelve inches deep, and closely
set in Bermuda grass. By slight
change of lines without, or immaterially
changing the location, the area of the
cemetery has been increased, and beau
tiful grove of elms, hackberries, and 9TH
er native trees, about one hundred and
twenty-five in all, have been embraced
within the enclosure. 1t is hoped that
the present appearance of the
cemetery, even in its pres
ent immature stage, will not be
altogether disappointing to those who
regard with interest
THE LAST RESTING PLACE
of those whom Texas loved and honored
in peace and in war. Following is list
Of those now buried there, with some of
the inscriptions upon the marbles which
mark their graves:
TO THE MEMORY
OF
GENERAL ED BURLEsON.
Died Dec. %, 1851.
Aged 90 years.
1t is believed that this distinguished
soldier and patriot was the first person
inferred in the states graveyard. The
most imposing monument on the grounds
is that over the grave of Judge Hemp
hill. 1t Is made of Italian marble. On
one side of the pillar leans figure repre-
senting the Goddess of Justice with her
evenly balanced scales, while on the
other side is seen a number of law books.
The inscription is as follows:
Here lies the remains
JOHN HEMPHILL.
Born in Chesterfield District, South Car
olina, on the 18th day of Dec,
A. D., 1903
Died at Richmond, Va, on the Sd day of
Jan. A. D., 1862.
From 1910 to 1857 he was chief justice of
the supreme court of Texas. From
1857 to 1861, he represented
Texas in the Senate of
the United States.
Next in attractiveness is the imposing
stone over the grave of the hero of Shiloh.
Upon the front is chissled
GENERAL A. s. JOHNSTON,
A Hero and Patriot.
Shiloh, April 6, 1852.
Upon its reverse side is the following:
"His last breath cheered his comrades
on to battle. The last sound he heard
was the shout of victory"
which other graves are arranged, they
are here given:
Col. T.W. Ward, died Nov. IS, 1872,
aged Sc years.
Captain T. II. Williams, killed at Sui
phur Springs, July, 1872.
w. E. Cakes, born in the state of Ken
tncky, May 1880. A member of the
army of the republic. Died August "a,
1919 n member of the constitutional
convention.
William NJ. Varnell, died March 9,
1871.
Donald Campbell, born March IS, 1880,
died November @, 1871.
George w. Smythe, born in Alabama,
May 10, 1903, died February 81, 1866.
Forbes Britton, of Corpus Christi,
state senator; late captain U. s. A.;
died February IA, 1861, aged 81. This
is erected by his wife.
Amos Clark, died February 81, 1871.
Robert Crudrupt, died February IS,
1871.
A number of graves are marked by
simple, white marble headstone, upon
which only the name of the sleeper is
cut. These are as follows McCul,
loch, Gwynn, Plasters, A. s. Lipscomb
Scurry, Aug Buchell, J. C. Walker, W.
T. Wilkerson, Brazier. 4
Generations that follow us will rear
suitable monuments over the tombs of
those distinguished SONS Of Texas.
''On Fame's eternal camping ground
Their silent tents are spread,
While Honor guards, with solemn round,
The bivouac Of the dead
MUn.gf