Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-30
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
The Magnificent New Gateway to
Allegheny Cemetery is Done.
A NICE MONUMENT TO HIGH ART.
The Annual Meeting of the incOrpOratOrs
Held Yesterday.
DONE FOR LESS THAN THE ESTIMATE

opened to public use yesterday, and th'
annual meeting of the Board of Incorpo
rstors was held in the waiting-room
Twenty-tnree of the incorporators vert
present and inspected the beautiful monu
ment to architectural art, and expressed
their appreciation of the complete success o.
the enterprise and satisfaction with
the work done. All Joined in say
ing that it is certainly the fines
gateway in America, and some did moi
want to put the limit there. The las
touches to the structure were hurried in
order to have it done in time, and the last
artisan had hardly left before the meeting
commenced. President Charles J. Clarke
read his address and a special report, Civ.
ing history of the new gateway on Penn
avenue.
The Secretary also gave his report, and
the members then discussed the advisability
of supplying the cemetery with city water,
for the lot ewners to water plants, etc.
William Thaw first opposed it, and said
that it was unnecessary, and that difficulty
would be had in running the pipes, and
graves would have to be desecrated.
This seemed to be the general sentiment,
and the Board of Managers were advised not
to put in city water or allow hitching posts
or retiring closets to be erected. The pres
ent board and managers were reelected
unanimously, as follows:
President, Charles J. Clarke. Managers,
William Thaw, John Harper. Charles E Speer,
S. c. McCandlesS, F. S. Bissell, F. R. Brunot
Secretary and Treasurer, James R. Speer.
LONG ON THE WAY, BUT PERFECT.
1t has just been nine years since the
Board of Incorporators first decided to build
the beautiful monument to art, opened to
the public yesterday. The whole cost, in
Guiding architects fees, was $50, 456 09
Add to this the amount paid for the Az
acres of land upon which the gateway
stands, SS6, ,91j, would make a total for the
entire improvement of S119,471 O9. The
amount appropriated for the purchase of the
property was $40, 900, and for the gateway
building $50, 600: in all, S12O, 900. Thus it
will be seen that the amount expended is
within the appropriation. This has all been
paid, except about S., 900 not yet due.
The corporators still have plenty of sur
plus on hand, as is shown in the following
extract from the Treasurer's report
On June l, 1850, the assets were.. S3S4, ,6l3 96
On June !, 1889, the assets were.... 364 6g7 Al
Showing that the surplus has been de-
With this surplus they propose TO make
still greater Improvements; but what those
will be has not vet been decided.
The interior of the gateway, which has
hitherto been shut from public view, is even
more beautiful and novel in its design than
the exterior. The floor of the reception
room is in mosaics. with pretty border
The windows are Of an extra quality and
very beautiful. The walls are vet to be
toned up with richer colors.
The chief pet of the incorporators has been
the iron gateway leading under the archway
of the gate house, and it was made under a
special contract 1t, together with the extra
cost of the mosaic floor and extra quality of
glass in the windows cost s. 093 75 1t is
very beautiful in design-a fitting gate to
swing before so beautiful an entrance.
W. AVERY INTERESTING SHOWING.
The following is President Clarke's ad-
dress:
To the lncorporators Of Allegheny Cemetery:
GENTLEMEN-Our charter REQUIRES that at
this, our annual meeting of cerporators a re-
port should be made to you of the condition of
the trust held by the Board of Directors which
is now herewith submitted. Aside from the
usual routine business transacted by the board
at our monthly meetings the principal thing
that has received our attention has been the
construction Of the new gateway on Penn ave-
nue.. of which full historical account is sub
mitted in special report.
On July 81, 1888, we made a contract with the
Citizens Traction Company in which we al
lowed them to invade our territory in front of
the Butler street entrance with loop or turn
for their road. The consideration for this
grant " was that they construct an asphalt pave
ment In front Of our gateway at an expense of
S6,OOO (which has been done) and that a
police force be maintained at their
expense from April to November /
each year from S o'clock in the morning
until II at night. In this connection might saw
that this piece of ground has never been
fenced in, and has heretofore been overrun |
annoyance This has now been abated. This
contract does not allow cars to stop on our
ground only long enough TO take On or put off |
passengers, The The contract will expire five years
from July 81, 1888, and is herewith submitted.
Our lot holders have erected many beautiful |
monuments and tombs during the year at an |
estimated cost of about $685. ,OOO There have |
been sold IS lots for which we received son |
rs 50 varying in price from 500 to 81 800 each
showing falling off in sales of hieh-priced |
lots The intermeEts were 9S5 or 81 less than |
monuments 49 tombs, 27S head and footstones
4 steps and 224 feet of curb.
CLEARLY A GAIN, ANYHOW.
The labor and expense account show an in
crease over last year of SS 800 a. being for extra
expenditure in making new road to Penn ave-
nne entrance and in grading the grounds about
the same. The severe storms have necessitated
. large amount of labor in repairing the roads.
Our income or receipts from invested capital |
county bends, mortgages, etc. amounted to
81, ,6l0 0S, or Sc, ga 81 more than the previous
year. Our total cost of keeping the Cemetery |
salaries, labor, etc, amounted to |
s33, O80, and amount of work on lots foanda-
lions, interments, receiving vault and plants
was Sl6,OS leaving a balance of S17,045 which
represents the net cost of maintaining the GEM
stery one year; showing that our income from
invested capital amounted to 1898 81 more
han our expenses, SO that this surplus with the
lmount received for sale of lots (S20278 SOY has
been added to our capital stock.
The greenhouse department, kept up for the
accommodation of our lot holders shows a small
prott, and beside furnished l54, 800 plants used
Ior ornamental purposes. The question of
introducing water into the cemetery, shelter
houses, ETC., is still under advisement
Ihere nave been no deaths in your Board of
DIRECTORS or Board of Corporators during the |
year, SO there are no vacancies to fill in the |
after It deVolves upon this meeting of cor. |
oorators to elect president Secretary and |
and Board of Managers to serve dnr-
ng the coming year.
All Of which is respectfully submitted NV
'rder OF the Board of Managers
CHARLES J. CLARKE President
WESTWARD ROUND