Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-05-29
MEMPHIS APPEAL
xrsrEFs CFd ETFEY-THE OLD
"1NSA FOLBs.

wIKCHEsTEE CEn s "A"
The exercises at winchester Cemetery on
Sunday evening last were most Interesting.
Annie as we're the accommodations for the
visitors, they were not sufficient and many
ladies and gentlemen could not be seated
during the ceremonies. The address We
delivered by DR.. Samuel Watson, and ne
was the right man in the right place. Ons
of the Oldest citizens Of Memphis, the record
Of whose life is an open book and on all iIs
pages there. is net blot-a gentleman, who
as citizen, as a neighbor, husband aud
father, has not speck upon the brIgat
armor of his manhood. Familiar with the
his ory Of Winchester Cemetery and its
desd, be was peculiarly fitted for the occa.
sion. His address was listened 10 with most
profound attention and never was attention
more munifcenily rewarded. There is
nervous torce in Mr.. Watson's sentences,
and a direct incisiveness in what be says,
which makes his speeches attractive and In
teresting, and he is at times truly eloquent.
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good order by VIM. S. Rogers, the superin-
tendent. The walks were clean, the careen-
ing tombstones placed in proper position,
and by the constant labOrs of Mr.. Rogers
Winchester Cemetery, which Jew years ago
was uniorbidding in lite painful neglect and
saddening desolation, has been rendered
cheerful and inviting. The whole cemetsry
ia fragrant with flowers, and the shrubbery
and trees are kept in good order. Superln-
tendent Rogers ia familiar with every grave
aud all the prominent dead, and he always
inisrts.s Inc visitor by dwelling UPON
thsir pscu isri les while living. 10 pro-
2dlce tbs great change from mour
dsring ruins 10 cheerfulness, has cost Mr..
Rogers much labor and anxiety. But IN 5
has been labor OF love with him. Hereto
fore his services have been almost grAtuitous.
His pay has not compensated him for his
toll, and as he ia poor man, who has seen
hard service as a Confederate soldier,
dependent upon his own labor for the
support Of himself and family, he
should be placed permanently as superin-
tendent OF Winchester Cemetery at a stated
salary sufficient to give him a comfortable
living. There is nothing that indicates the
refinement and humanity of city 80 much
as beautiful cemetery, and as Winchester is
TO be beaulifed and adorned, the superinten-
dent should be paid for his services. Every
citizen, aud especially those who have friends
aud relatives buried at Winchester, should
contribute somelhing toward paying for
the labor Of the man who has dens
a0-aUca toward restoring Tho old cemetery Il
its former beauty, and who If permanently
employed will make it an honor to the city
The Society Of Old Folks, who have taker
charge OF Winchester Cemetery, should MAKE
it the spot for their annual ceremonies
Since the death Of Col. Charles D. McLsan
William L. Avery and few others, the peo
pie of Memphis seem impressed with the be-
lief that all the Old Folks are dead, forgetting
that old folks like the waters OF the Missis
Aippi river are constantly going and con
stantly coming. The annual meetings o.
the Old Folks should be kept up and Il I
society should never be permitted TO die
When these people meet together, it is Their
they as we'll as the riSing generation car
contemplate what a city has grown
up around them; what 4 great and
overspresding tree has come uE
from the seeds they planted. When they
came here each one of them knew every
one else. In their lifetime large city has
grown up around them. The two or three
little streets near the mouth OF Wolf river
have grown into hundreds, stretching for
miles to every point of the compass and sol,
idly built up and crowded and choked
with their great tides Of humanity. The
old fashioned coach that sluggishly toiled
across q spsrsely populated country with the
malls and passengers has given place Ic
rushing trains continually coming and going
night and day over the complicated network
OF railroads that unites this city with
every part OF the United States. The
little gr.st mills have moved away to make
room Tor the huge elevators, aud the print
tive log taverus have been superseded BY
large and Handsome hotels. 1t is beauti
fal custom--the annual meeting OF the Ok
Folks. 1t is for them the cleaning away o
the clouds from their souls, and making TO
them sunset filed with light, calm ant
serene. They have done their work, born
their burdens, and it is in accordance will
the eternal fitness of nature that now, a
the burdens drop from their tired hands
younger and stronger hands should picl
them up. For them the sun, the moor
and the stars are beginning to be darkeneC
and in little while the mourners will g
about the streets. The young should max
it clear to the old folks that the heat au'
storms OF the day are passed, and that tn
evening which is upon them is so full c
radiance and peace that as the wings of nigh
begin to cast their shadows the stars of eter
nifty will be bright and beautiful.