River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1891-04-23
Greenwood Cemetery.

Now that spring has fairly come
upon us it is well to look around and
see what improvements are impera-
lively needed in our city to make it
more attractive in appearance and sat
satisfactory to the citizens. Among
the places needing Improvement and
TO which careful attention should be
given is one in which the larger por-
ton of our people are directly inter
ested and one to which most of us look
forward as a last resting place.
The care of the dead is one that
always marks the progress of culture
and civilization and is regarded by all
people having the instincts of human
ity as sacred duty. Even among
savages there can be no greater sacri-
lege than the rudely disturbing of the
abodes of the dead, and in the lands
of the higher classes of civilization
art exhausts itself in its efforts to
adorn the homes of the departed.
Egypt in her days of greatest develop.
ment erected the enduring pyramids
and delved deep into the earth for
resting places for the elabarately pre-
pared mummies of its dead.
The tombs of Greece and Rome are
yet the models of mortuary architec-
ture, the most elaborate OF sculpture
being found upon them. 1t is true
that then there was superstitious
reverence paid to the dead which adj
vanciDg knowledge has swept away
and there has come day when we
look upon the place where our loved
ones are laid not as "a place TO be
dreaded or the names appeased by
sacrifices, but as a spot where we may
feel that we can come nearest to a
communication with those who are
not lost but only gone before.
1t may be said that today the ideal
cemetery is not one overloaded with
costly granite and marble, but one
where the noble forest tree spreads
its branches over green, grassy slopes,
smooth and clearly, the ideal of repose
| and rtstfulness. Where the long
shadows of the evergreen shut off the
| blazing sun rays from the velvet turf,
where one can lie at ease and dream
over again of the time when the
friends who rest 50 quietly were with
him in the olden happy days.
Such cemetery is within reach OF
| the humblest. 1t is then only ques-
ton of few days each year of loving
care or where that cannot be given of
a small mite dropped into the hands OF
the curators who will see that it is
wisely and honestly expended. 1t
may be well to add in this connection
| that the Il ustees of our cemetery have
| found that the income of the Associa
| ton applicable to the purpose Is not
sufficient to keep the private grounds
| or lots in such condition as is desira-
BILE. The Trustees cannot justly use
any of the permanent fund for this
purpose, but only the income of the
fund, nor is it right to use very much
of the amount arising from sale OF
lots, as this is needed for the more
permanent improvements, such as
making the streets, setting out trees
keeping up the fences and like expen
ses.
With these deductions the income
available for annual expense is not
more than enough TO take care of the
streets and unsold lots, leaving the
care of private lots to the owners.
A committee has been appointed to
confer with lot owners in reference to
| systematic method of caring for the
lots and many of our readers have al.
ready received copy of the circular
sent out by the committee. 1t is hop
ed that it will meet with cordial re
Spouse and that in this respect as wei
as in many others River Falls will bt
a model.
| SDriDo UOodS arriving daily at len.