The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-04-26
CAN'T MOVE THE BODIES NOW.
So isays DIR. Oppenhimer. President Of the
Health Board.


Many generations back, when residents Of
these hills were won't TO be clad in wigs,
knickerbockers and large shoe-buckles, the
cemetery at Twenty-third and Marshall streets
was set apart as the burial place for the Adams
family and their descendants. and as such IT
has been used. the first person being inferred
there about 1850.
This Individual was child Of Colonel
Richard Adams, who then owned all the land
north # what was then known as the city OF
Richmond.
The city then WIS bounded on the west 10y
ShOckoe creek and on the north 10y Broad
street. hence all land Tor considerable dis
lance east If ShOckoe creek and north OF
Broad was owned 10y Colonel Adams.
Ills - dence was where Monte Mara on
vent is now aud his over GERS house was just
Jack OK where nf {, church stan 5.
Colonel Adam had twelve children. all OF
whom are buried at the Iwenty-third-street
cemetery
He lied about 100, and left. judging from
his Will. an estate worth over million dol
lars
lie was a thoroughly representative man;
did much excellent service in legislative halls,
and was an extensive importer.
In 1917 Richard Adams Jr., willed the
property to his brothers. sisters. nephews
and nieces, which passed 10 their descendants
utWu 10 the present llilts III INC Will Lc
rected that a half acre be enclosed.
Up to that time only about sixty by sixty
feet had been used.
In the fitties il was enclosed in brick with
iron cOpincs. aud the wall was throughout
q thorough piece u masonry.
There are about seventy people buried IN the
cemetery. and since 1867 Mr. Peyton X. Car
ringtOn has used every effort 10 have the re-
mains removed TO Hollywood.
Where so many persons are concerned tthe
heirs the movement was rather uphill busi-
ness
Some wished it done. but would lend but
little aid. while others at q distance could not
be heard from on the subject.
At the last meeting OF the General Assembly
an act was passed in relation TO private bury
ing grounds aud by this act II was made pos
sible for Mr. Darlington. who Is admins
traitor Of the estate. 10 move the remains, sell
the land. and with the proceeds pay the en-
penses and use the remainder ri the money
for the erection Of "A monument.
With this decree Of the court Dir. Caring
ton began to carry out his long wished for de-
sire but Yesterday he was confronted with a
delay that viii deter any movement until
next fall.
Dr. W. T. Oppenhmer. president of the
Board If Health after consultation yester-
day. decided that at the present time the re-
mains cannot lie removed: that the weather ~
the lives of citizens.
As consequence, Mr.. Darlington will have
10 wait until next foil.
SO confident was lie that there could be no
trouble. Mr. George Hooper. who was 70 at
tend 10 the work, moved several loads OF lum-
Der 20 tho cemetery.
This was 10 be used 10 build a high fence
50 that the work Of disinterring would be as
private as possible
The heirs and descendants of the Adams es-
tate are scattered throughout the South.
Among them are the CaTringtons. Stokes, La
throps Tavlors. Smiths. Adams and hinges:
To all who revere the memory OF the dead
the cemetery presents an appalling sight.
OF twelve perfect and elaborate hesdstones,
not one remains in a large enough piece to
trace the epitaph
There is perfect reckless ruin done by peo-
ple-men and boys-whO should have been
arrested and dealt with severely.
About the buTylng ground can be found
pieces of marble belonging % graves IN other
parts OF the grounds. Foot slabs have been
dug up and broken. and the whole debris
reflects great discredit upon the youths and
boys Of the neighborhood.
Il is very evident that the police have not
given the place tie protection that such sa-
cred p1Ot deserves, and in conversation yes
terday Mr. Peyton H. Darlington expressed
himself rs being very indignant about II.
lie also stated that with the precautionary
measures he was to use he could possibly sec
no danger in removing the remains Of persons
who have been buried many, many years
ago.
Some Of the wall fell down about three
years ago, andAlr. Darlington at once had tho
bricks cleaned and piled in corner OF the
groua1 It was only few days later that
every brick. iron coping and material worth
carving away was stolen. and no clue has
ever been found ms 10 the guilty persons:
Asit is. the cemetery is in quite dilapi-
dated condition. and it is pity that the
weather. in DR.. Oppenhimer's opinion, Is so
uniavorable as % preclude the removing Of
the remains 10 their last resting place in Hol-
lywood.