The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1885-05-12


elegant steamer DeBary, informs US that
his boat and her consort, the Anita, will
give an excursion to Lake George on
next Saturday, the DeBary carrying the
excursionists up and the Anita bring
ing them back on the return trip. This
excursion will give our people an excel
lent opportunity to spend day on the
river and see the beautiful scenery lining
either hank between here and Lake
George. The rates Of fare viii be for
couples $500, for single lady or gentle
man, 70 cents. All who can should take
this opportunity to spend pleasant day.
ANNUAL REPORT LADIES MEMO
RIAL ASSOCIATION.
To the President and members Of the
Ladies Memorial Association
It has been deemed advisable to fur
nish to the society and the public re
port of the financial condition, to refer
also, with some minuteness, to the work
accomplished by the association since it
was organized, and it imposes upon ME
the pleasant duty Of noting for your in
formation the success of our society,
which is both gratifying and encourag-
ing.
We all remember the dreary solitude of
the cemetery in the days that have past,
but it was not only those who were call
ed upon to bury their dead that could
realize the horror Of laying loved one
away in a place SO desolate. With few
exceptions. the weeds and grass grew
over it in rank profusion. Cattle fed at
will over the graves of those who slept
there, and ruthless hands and feet could
desecrate without fear the mounds in
this nameless spot. A few who were
forced to bear this trying ordeal, form
ed themselves into a society for the pur-
pose of identifying this resting place of
the dead among so few little could be
done, but with brave hearts the little
band Of devoted women held to their
purpose. As Palatka extended her lin
its and the population increased, the Di-
vine Hand fell upon other households,
and the relentless messenger called 9th
ers to lay away their treasures there, SO
the membership increased, and a regular
association was formed with q constitu-
ton and bylaws for the government.
Officers were elected and the cost Of
membership placed at an amount not
burdensome, even to those in the most
limited circumstances.
A committee of five ladies were APP
pointed each month to look after the
work to be done, and the society was to
be known as the Ladies Memorial Asso-
citation. Little by little. as their funds
allowed, Improvements were made. The
appeals for aid have been generously re-
sponded to by the public, and the enter
tainments given, literally patronized.
The secretary's books show a crafty
ing increase of the funds each year.
From the 18th of July, 1881, to Novem-
Der 9Th, 1885, a period Of three years and
four months, the receipts OF the society
was six hundred and eighty-fve dollars
and seventy cents 1885, 70) the year 1881
showing for SIX months receipts, the
small sum of seven dollars and ten cents
(S71OD
am glad to say that the success of
the association, during the past six
months has been most encouraging. From
the 5th of November, 1884, up to the
present date, the amount turned over to
the treasurer is four hundred and six dol
lars and twenty five cents (S40G,25.)
''West View cemetery stands now a
pleasant contrast with the desolate scene
of former days. Flowers greet us with
their delicate sweetness, instead of the
weeds and rank grass ; marble slabs and
columns are silent sentinels among the
luxuriant foliage, evergreen hedges and
tasty fences mark private enclosures,
ornamental shrubs and choice trees are
dotted about in the neatly kept grounds,
and tasteful little structure, in the cen
ter. serves as a home for the keeper ]:
walks and drives edged with bermuda
grass "lA40 III : s~Clul N"A'C tI4A otAssA
the enclosure and an oleander hedge
marks its northern limit flowers deco
rate many of the carefully tended gra-
yes, and a resident sexton IS the watch
full guardian of this hallowed spot. We
lay our loved ones away without fear Of
tue desecrating touch of careless hands.
West View lacks the sublime grandeur
of older and larger ''cities of the dead,
but its peaceful calm is just as sweet,
and almost as undisturbed as the dream
less slumber of those who lie there at
rest.
To the friends of those at home and