The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1890-08-07
Silver Brook Cemetery.

Mr.. EDITOR It is strange that q city
which has wide and weli.sustained repu-
tation of being rich in the successive steps
Of progress should be so very delinquent
in identifying and adorning a city for its
dead. 1t is true that the city fathers of
Anderson in 1857 purchased 25 acres Of
beautiful. poetic and highly picturesque
grounds for Cemetery. They also en-
ployed Rev. ]. Lander, proficient in park
construction, to plan the grounds. Two
burial sections and magnificent drive
way was most artistically designed on
either side of the parallelogram, and here
and there drives and walks intersected
each other, so as to make one continuous
drive or walk over and around the grounds.
This beautiful and costly work, as have
before animadverted upon, is in a great
measure effaced, and the entire grounds
overrun with noxious plants and, what is
most 70 be censured, indiseriminate bury
ing has been permitted. Who is accounta-
BILE? It is frequently remarked thata Gem
etery has become an imperative necessity,
and Park a desideratum for city that is
taking 10 suburb after suburb. This To-
cality, with its gentle, undulating slopes,
its handsome, oak.coyered knolls, its
sweet.scented pines, its pure springs of
water, and with Silver Brook winding like
serpent ongitudinally through its length,
are qualities that eminently adapt 1t Tor
Cemetery or Park. Why not, then, util-
ize it in the interest of both enterprises,
that are now recognized as being necessi-
ty. and it well known fact that it is the
most available site that can be procured.
AS IL have before said, with the picturesque
Silver Brook falls added nature, unaided
by art, rarely ever presents 80 many en-
ticing attractions to seduce the town. born
citizen from the weary streets for recreation
and rest. I have before. where occasion
| offered, described more minutely the to-
biography and the art-Work ofthese grounds.
| I am again prompted to revert to the mat
| ter through your valuable paper from ex-
pressions so frequently made in reference
| to the importance OF the immediate ultlll-
zation of the site. The Council Who pur-
chased it in 1887 exhibited highly credi'
tainly controlled and animated by lauda-
bic desire to act in the matter for the gener-
al welfare of the whole city. They have
done what they could. We hope the in
coming Council will give the matter prompt
conside deration, and that no reflection can
| be cast upon them by coming generations
| in matter of 30 much moment, who, IN
all probability, will be more involved than
the present.
We must not forget to mention that the
Council of 18s9-90 had the entire grounds
protected, at considerable expense, with a
neat enclosure: It has, however, been
practically ignored as burying repository
for the dead. This should not be. If,
! however, more popular suburb can fur
nish, according to their taste and Judgment.
i more desirable site, would it not be well
i for the city>fathers to sell these grounds
for residential purposes 4? A prominent
citizen has suggested that a joint stock COM
pany might make the above described site
paying investment by utilizing it in the
interest of both enterprises Park and 8
| Cemetery.