Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-11-20

| South Broad street cemetery
A few years ago there was movement
to remove the unsightly brick wall that
incloses the old cemetery on South Broad
street. The movement, we believe, was
started by DR.. Duncan, the present Chair
man of the City Council, who, at that
time, was member OF the Council. Be
sides removing the brick wall and inclos-
INK the cemetery with a handsome iron
railing, it was proposed to widen Aber-
corn street between south Broad street
and Perry street lane by throwing a strip
otthe cemetery into the street.
There was not much opposition TO
the removal Of the brick wall, hut there
was very decided objection to the use OF
any part of the cemetery Tor street pur-
poses. 1t seems that the part of the GEM
etery that would be required TO make
AbercOrn street OF the required width, be-
tween South Broad street and Perry street
lane, contains several memorial
tablets which would have TO be removed.
The opposition that was developed to the
proposed improvement was sufficient to
cause it to be abandoned for the time
being. There was at that time, however,
a very strong sentiment that something
ought TO be done to improve the old
cemetery, and time has strengthened that
sentiment. Many Of the dead have been
removed from the cemetery, and OF those
that have not been disturbed there are
very few perhaps which have not so far
mingled with the earth that it would be
possible to find traces OF them.
If it should be decided to improve the
old cemetery in a way that would add to
the attractions of the city, such remains
as could be found, could without difficulty
to the cemeteries where the dead Of the
city are now buried. There are good
many tablets, memorials, monuments, and
tombstones that ought to be preserved,
and no doubt would be if it should be
determined that the interests of the city
require the obhteration Of the old Gene
terry. But all of these could be very read
lily removed to the cemeteries now in use,
and be utilized to increase the attractions
at those places.
1t ought not to be regarded as sacrilege
to remove the remains of those buried in
the old cemetery and to place them in an
other and more attractive burying place.
1t certainly shows more respect for the
memory of the dead to place their graves
where they can, and will be cared for,
than to permit them to remain where they
are neglected and forgotten. In the ceme-
teries where the dead Of our city are now
buried there are evidences everywhere
of the deep interest that is taken in them.
Money is spent literally to make them
and loving hands are all the
while employed in identifying the graves.
But does any one visit the old cemetery
on South Broad street, or plant flowers on
any grave? Is not the entire cemetery
overgrown with underbrush and weeds'
What interest can there be in a cemetery
that is thus neglected?
Ii, however, there are those who object
to having the remains removed altogether,
why not set apart that portion of the GEM
etery claimed by Christ Church,as bury
ing place for all the remains, and thus
leave the greater portion OF the cemetery
free for improvements. The part claimed
by Christ Church might be used as a site
for the remains now scattered throughout
the entire cemetery.
With the graves and the tombstones
Of as suggested, the work of i'm
proving the square could be begun at
once. The walls should be taken down
TO within foot Of the ground and capped
with cut stone. Walks should be LAID
out and flowers, trees and shrubbery
planted. The square should be embel-
lished with fountains and statuary, and
such other attractions as the city might
deem advisable. Somewhere near the
centre there should be a reservation for a
city hall TO be built at some time not very
far in the future, and also a reservation
for court house near the southwest cor
ner. This arrangement would provide a
handsome building on each corner of the
square, viz: the church, the court house,
the Jail, and the police barracks, and also
one In the centre, viz: the CITY hall.
All things considered, it would be
good plan probably to begin the removal
of the wall even before the removal OF the
remains and tombs has been accom-
pllshed. With the walls out Of the way
and few paths cut through the square,
the other improvements suggested would
soon follow.
II the City Council undertakes
this work it will certainly be
supported by public sentiment. There
will be few, il any. 10 throw obstruc-
tions in its way. The fact that
the cemetery is abandoned to the weeds is
pretty good evidence that there is no SEN
timent that would feel called on to oppose
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