Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1886-12-11
Dkrd Hill GENE

6 romantic nature OF L
AL Lancaster cemetery con-
Naturally level simplicity of sur.
Md In IT. well-kept lawns and walks
Z For, while there In probably ~ much care
and attention bestowed upon the former a.
the latter, vet the very nature OF the swelling
snd subsiding surface Of Woodward Hin
cemetery Is q hndrance 10 Its evsr attaining
that neatness and simplicity of appearance
which constitute the chief charm OF the Ian
caster cemetery. One forgets, in the sum
mer season, that he Ia in the domains of the
dead while treading the hslf-neglected,
syivan.like walks OF Wood ward Hill, and de-
iightfully romantic feelings steal over him,
~ he almost imagines himself amid such
beautiful seclusion as that into which the
sportive Donatello strayed when, to keep the
tryst with her who had so fascinated his sim
pie afiectionate heart, he entered the pictur'
esque grounds of the Villa Borghese, In the
suburbs of Rome. While the houses " oil
the " silent inhabitants " Of the metropolis
are here and there and everywhere about one,
he sees them not, and is untouched by that
feeling of awe which one who is not possessed
of an adamantine heart generally OK periences
when he finds himself treading among the
"nsrrow cells wherein the "great and ST
lent majority" are forever housed. The
monopolizes his sensibilities, and he has eyes
and feelings only for the natural beauties OF
the place.
Not 80 with Lancaster cemetery. The mo.
ment one enters Its portals he breathes the
very air Of reverence and awe. The white
marble monuments and tombstones impiuge
his view on every side, reminding him OF
the awful mystery of death and the unCer-
tainty oflife, that
"Like fash OF the lightning a break OF the
Man passes from life TO his rest in the grave
HOW 1T WAS POUNDED.
In the year 1916 the members of the GER
man Reformed church, having some diff
Guilty in finding places for burial in their
graveyard adjoining their church, began ag
tsting the question of establishing cemetery
for the city of Lancaster. (rhs was some
three or four years before the founding OF
Wood ward Hill cemetery The enterprise
found favor with the people, and on the lith
of December Of the same year the cOnsistory
of the German Reformed church passed the
following resolution ReSOiUcd That the
lot of ten acres of land on the New Holland
pike, now the property of D. Longenecker
be purchased Tor graveyard, provided 1t
will suit the purpose" committee was
then appointed to purchase the lot and OO.
tain a charter. The lot was purchased and a
charter was obtained, bearing date March 5
lSI7. The movement met with general aQ-
probation, and people from other denOmina-
tons purchased lots The grounds were laid
out under the direction of the Rev. y. Keyes,
who at that time was pastor of the German
Reformed church. The first interments
were of two children, June 6, ls4S. The next
year 1t was suggested that other denomina
tons have voice in the management OF the
grounds. The German Reformed church IA.
yored this suggestion, and arrangements
were made to effect the change, the new com.
pany refunding the money expended for the
purchase OF the property. The old charter
was surrendered ana a new one granted
April 26, 1850 Under the new management
ten acres of additional ground were pur
chased. In the year 1873 chapel was erected
at the main entrance at a cost of $4,000, snC
dedicated in October of that year with sppro
pirate ceremonies. The presidents, seCre
taries and treasurers since the organization
are as follows: Presidents, David LUnge
necker, Emanuel Schatier, Peter Long, Dan
iel Heltshu, John l. Hartman secretaries
A. G. Hetienstein, Charles NJ. Erben, Chris
tian Cast, 7. X. Breneman, John thinner
man, Jos. Samson treasurers Benjamin {
Bachman, Adam Wolf, Christian Cast
ITS RAPID GROWTH.
The growth of Lancaster cemetery With
the past decade has been astonishing TO sa
the least Again and again has new groun,
been broken and laid out into burial lots t
meet the demands made upon its domain
. for places of sepulchre. In this respect
has left Its sister, "the silent city by tn
"
have also been recently made in this GENE
terry. When but few years since it Wa
found necessary to the growing interests c
the city TO extend North Lime street to il
present terminus, the bodies buried on ths
portion of Lancaster cemetery which pre-
cluded this extension were removed, the oil
dilapidated pale fence torn down and hanG
some and substantial iron one substituted /
It's present position. A fence OF the same IN,
terial and quality has also been built alOu
the eastern boundary, and all that is neCe'
sary now to make the combination perfect
to continue the iron structure around {
the main entrance. There was one chang
made IN the appearance OF Lancaster GENE
terry some few years since which some un
feeling people may call an improvement, bu
emphaticslly pronounce it a detormity.
refer to the cutting down OF those beautiful
trees which dlffused over the grassy lawn
and pebbly walks their sweet and gladden.
lug shadows. 1t was a feeling akin 10 pail
that l experienced when, but a few day
alter the woodman's axe had prOfaned th
solitude of this silent city / Chanced TO stray
into its domains and saw those granC
trees lying in pitiful and helpless heap
upon the ground they had once so nObly
sheltered and adorned. What reasons ther,
were for cutting down these trees | havt
never been able 10 determine.
There is sort of melancholy pride We foe
IN this rapid growth of Lancaster cemetery
For, while we naturally take delight In Il,
advancement and improvement OF anythin.
Niah ouNS W thc hllu huOfuLltl
OF our city, yet when this refers to the growth
OF our cemeteries, there is a feeling OF sad
ness and regret mingled with our pride
For we know full well that this advance
ment and improvement has been mainly
augmented by the departure OF loved and
cherished ones.-Whlle We pride curse We.
on these handsome monuments and tomb
stones that mark the last resting places O
friends and relatives, we are also painful Y
oh, so painfully alive to the fact that
1.-THE massive marbles rest
GA the lips that we have pressed
In their bloom;
4 ud the names we loved 10 hear
Have been carved tor many IA veal
On the tomb"
THE HEROIC DEAD.
No brighter name illumlnes our country
roll OF martyr heroes than that OF John Ful