The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-08-05

There is no surer index to the char
acter and enlightenment Of an individ-
ual than that afforded 6y the presence
or absence of respect for the departed
and the means of the disposal OF the
home of the soul, the casket contain
ing the jewel rarer and brighter than
can be found in the most elaborate
display of earth's diamonds or rubies,
and the degree of care manifested in
perpetuating the memory OF the dead
reveal with no less accuracy the plane
of community. We are all drifting
down the stream of time to p common
end. and there is no individual who
does not shrink from the fate of being
forgotten by his fellow morials. The
higher the degree of civilization, the
more care there is taken in the tiispo.
sal of the dead. The citizens of Ra
VIENNA have certainly been exceeding
ly careful in this respect, as a visit to
our beautiful Maple Grove Cemetery
abundantly demonstrated to us. Las;
year the grounds were beautifiad in
many particulars, in several portions
being converted from q rough, neglect
ed surface to one of regularity and
beauty. This year still greater i'm
provements are being made. The la
dies Cemetery Association have pur.
chased grounds Immediately north of
the cemetery, and are having the same
converted into the most beautiful por-
ton of our city of the dead. There
will be two artificial lakes, connected
by a winding stream, over which will
be thrown rustic bridge. The ground
will slope from every direction toward
the lakes, aroInd which will be con.
diately north of them will be row of
lots. When completed, this part Of
our cemetery will be one of the most
beautiful to be found in the State. The
design originated with the Sexton,
Mr. P. L. King.
Other portions of the cemetery have
received their share of attention, the
most notable being the lots of Morri-
son and Thompson, and the ones east
of the Williamsou-Robins vault,
and along the south edge of the drive
leading past the same. The people
are fast awakening to sense of the
increased beauty of the grounds re-
sulting from leveling the raised lots,
and it will probably not be long before
the surface will be reduced to uni
form level and clothed with grassy
covering.
TO the most casual observer, the
contrast between the cemetery today
and its appearance six years ago, when
Mr.. King assumed its management, is
as great as that between light and
darkness. Then it was mass of un-
inviting, repulsive mounds, with all
manner of rubbish strewn about pro.
miscuously, disflgured by holes and
stumps and innumerable trash, that
gave it the appearance of field for
the deposit of waste matter. Today
more beautiful spot cannot be found
in the whole State. so far as the i'm.
provements have extended, and soon
the whole will be converted into the
same state of attractiveness.
Mr.. King deserves great credit for
his faithfulness both in labOring to
secure the necessary permission, aud
then in performing the labor necessary
to produce this great change, and for
the excellent taste exhibited by him
in carrying out the same. OF course
he has been abundantly supplied with
help. The authorities also deserve
the thanks Of our citizens for author
izing these desirable changes. Raven
ma may justly take pride in the care
taken of her dead.