The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-10-13
A NEW CEMETERY.
North Of the City Near the Wesleyan Uni
vOrsity.

A NEW CEMETERY.
North Of the City Near the Wesleyan Uni
verslty.
In looking M the improvements being
made about the city q reporter called upon
Mr.. E. G. Richards, superintendent Of Ira
Helena Cemetery Association" Mr.. Rich
ards readily furnished every facility for
learning the details Of this new enterprise.
The association was recently incorporated
for the purpose Of furnishing the city with
much needed improvements Arst-class
city cemetery. In travelling over the beau
tiful spots in the older eastern cities, the
stranger 10 almost invariably directed to the
burial places of the dead, and in no other
placesnor in their parks or pleasure grounds
u there found more taste displayed or
money lavished to beautify and embellish
than in these cities Of the dead.
Helena has long felt the need Of Just such
place, and that under the management of
proper parties to manage and improve.
The Helena Cemetary Association was only
incorporated in the month Of August Of the
present year. Since then they have pur-
lying two and half miles north Of the
city limits, near the Wesleyan Uni
versity. This ranch consisted of 16O
acres OF choice land, of q sandy nature,
vel! calculated for the purpose. It lies
slightly elevated in the center, but other
already had neat picket fence placed
about the grounds and sixty acres plated
and laid of into beautiful walks and
dri1Ds. The general plan of arrangement
places two artificial lakes in the center of
the grounds, being connected by channel,
over which passes rustic carriage and foot
bridge. From this central point drives
lead in all directions, none, however, being
straight or angular in character, but all
leading in circles, and all blocks of lots
being Likewise Of circular form. Two large
fountains will play in the center Of each Of
tributed throughout the grounds. The APP
proach to the cemetery from the city is
made by q 1OO-foot avenue now dedicated
by the property owners along the center
line of sections 6, and IS. being one-half
mile aao west Ct Of Montana
eler will find stone arch entrance
thirty feet high which is now
under contract for immediate construction.
This gateway will be of granite and consist
of three arches. the center one for carriages
with one on either side for pedestrians.
driveway, danked on either side BY row of
trees and a foot path, all leading to the
lakes in the center.
It is hoped that the electric street rail
way running out in that direction will be
built at an early day, either this fall or in
the spring which. when completed. will
lead to the cemetery entrance, and it is the
purpose of the company to own a funeral
car to be operated on this line, for the pur-
pose of conveying funerals to the grounds.
This car will be divided into suitable apart
ments for the casket and attendants. and
furnish cheap and practical method of
transportation.
Plans are being drawn for handsome
chapel to be erected in the spring within
the grounds and near the entrance, which
will connect with stone vault thirty feet
square, enabling funerals to be held and
interments to be made at all seasons with
all kinds of weather. A large we'll has been
sunk upon the grounds from which to OBJ
tain water for the many uses needed, and at
depth of twenty-seven feet an ample
supply OF water was found. A large steam
boiler and pump are on the ground and
deeper, but with 90 large body of water
at this depth at the end of SO dry season
about being able to obtain all the
water necessary to run the many foun-
tains, and fill the lakes. It isalso pro-
the spring. placing hose plugs at proper
distances from which to sprinkle the entire
grounds. A large force Of men and teams
are now at work upon the grounds and
every effort will be made to complete
az many Of these y improvements
this fall az possible. MANY of our wealth
lest and best citizens have already secured
lots within these grounds and number of
interments have been made. Mrs. Ming has
purchased an entire block and will place
thereon suitable improvements and statuary
to mark the resting place Of her loved ones.
Looking at the enterprise as to its results
only, it can be seen that the work already
done has been rapid and energetic, and with
a little more time in which to complete the
improvements planned and under way, this
company will place within the reach Of our
citizens a last resting place for their loved
ones worthy Of their support, and in which
they may safely crafty their tastes and ex-
pend their money to ornament Helena's
city Of the dead.