The Portland daily press., 1883-05-09
EVERGREEN CEMETERY.
Suggestions made for the Coming Year.

MIR. W. 7. Small, secretary for the board OF
trustees of Evergreen Cemetery, in his report
presented to the city government Monday
evening, states
IN presenting my third annual report of the
condition and affairs of Evergreen Cemetery.
reference Is made TO my previous reports for
the'area, cost, &c, of the cemetery, which
ma nave not been changed during the past year.
Inc general condition and appearance of the
grounds at the beginning of the present sea-
son, are, in the main, satisfactory. as compared
with previous years. Much work however,
remains 70 be done TO bring the grounds up to
the condition which is desired by the trustees
One of the most important objects to be ac-
complished in this direction is the proper care
OF large number of lots in and adjoining the
original portions OF the cemetery, the cOndi-
ton and appearance Of which today are
detriment, II not a disgrace to the cemetery
railing headstones, sunken graves and general
neglect are not proper marks of our present
civilization. The trustees, during the last
three years, have endeayored to remedy, as
much as possible, the condition Of affairs but
Il can only be done effectually by the co-opera-
ton OF interested parties. Persons charged
with the administration of estates, either as
guardians, administrators or executors should
look to the important duty OF preserving with
proper care, the last resting place of the dead.
In some cases find that the line OF descend
ants is extinct or entirely removed from the
city, but IN many cases this fact does not ex-
LIST, and 1 can lind no reasonable excuse for
such neglect. The trustees hope, during the
coming year, to reach many more OF these
cases and remedy them.
Several important but comparatively mex
pens,Nye matters should receive attention dur
ing the coming year. The trustees are al
ready contemplating buildinga neat but sub
stantial fence ON the Stevens Plains road in
front OF the purchase known as the Magdalene
Cemetery lot, with gateways for entrances
with view ultimately of building cottage
and green house at this point The exterior OF
the receiving tomb needs some general re-
pairs and IN fact should be extended to give
proper accommodations. The long flight Of
steps leading to Fountain valley should be
rebuilt and the appearance OF this beautiful
spot would be very much improved thereby
The grading of section s., already we'll In
progress, should be completed or at least to
sufncient extent 10 accommodate the demand
Tor cheaper class Of lots The cutters of the
avenues leading to the ponds should be paved
to avoid the wash which Is experienced at
each heavy fall OF rain. The supply of water
should be extended by additional lines OF pipes
at least through the entire exposed parts of
the grounds.
The trustees hoped to accomplish during
the past yeara very important matter-that
OF the proper drainage OF Section Q. 1t was
thought that this might be accomplished by
entering the Stevens plains sewer at the en-
trance, but this vas found impracticable, as
the sewer was not of sufficient depth, even il
the authority for permanent entrance could be-
obtained from the town, which is very doubt
full.
lou will not fail 10 see that the rapldity
with which the cemetery is being occupied will
necessitate the laying out aud grading OF the
recent purchase, known as the Magdalene
cemetery, as over four hundred bodies were
carried TO Evergreen cemetery last year
Your attention is respectfully called to the
financial Condition OF the cemetery. contained
in the report OF the city treasurer. One OF the
gratifying features is the increased demand
for perpetual care Of lots and very important
feature too, which should interest all lot
holders in the cemetery. Under the care of
the efficient and faithful superintendent, good
order and discipline are everywhere apparent
and very few complaints have arisen.n