Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1892-03-17

your race track by controlling
stock, convert IL into a grave yard
and live to see you all buried
there"
He bought the ground, partly
sold partly donated it to the city,
and judging from the dates in.
scribed upon the many tombs pre-
ceding his, lived to see great
number OF them buried there.
THE CEMETERY.
To a stranger crossing the canal
from Odd Fellows Rest and Green.
wood cemetery, the grand archway
appears at first more like the en-.
trance to some great exposition
grounds, but once inside the scene
is solemn yet picturesque and
grand. Perhaps / should have
first stated that in New Orleans,
owing to the low and saturated
condition of the earth, all except
those to poor too defray the ex.
pense, are buried on top instead
of under the ground A very neat
office of the superintendent is near
the entrance and all visitors are
expected to register. Some dis.
tance to the right is large aud
attractive hot house where flowers
and plants appropriate to decorat-
ing the graves are supplied. Inn
mediately upon entering is the inn
posing equine statue of Albert Sid
ney Johnston suImounting the
large structure in which the Lou
isiana division of Tennessee Off
GERS are buried. To the left is the
public vault for temporary deposit
(ior hire) with capacity for one
hundred and twenty bodies, and
ample room to drive through with
hearse and carriages. A peculiar
but very handsome vine ornaments
the exterior of this cement wo,k,
completely covering its surface
with dense green leaves. A little
further on is the magnificent and
strikingly handsome mausoleum of
Howard his last ashes in one
vault on one side, his fine marble
statue in the center and empty
vaults beside and opposite, await
ing the remainder of his family.
Toward the rear is a window OF
stained glass on each side swung
perpendicular on steel pivots and
may be left open for ventilation.
In front is little reception space,
as it were, and two iron chaire for
the conversants to sit and medi-
tate. Leaving this elaborate piece
of workmanship half described
for want of time and ability, we
pass on down the soft white mar.
ble dust road, by hundreds equally
as attractive, and are lost in tn Z
enchantment OF orange and mag
nolia trees, the aroma of sweet
blooming flower and the song oi
birds that break the stiffness OF
this beautiful, tranquil place. 1t
seems to modify death if such be
possible and relieve the horrifying
dread OF being placed under the
cold and disconsolate soil.
From one grand mausoleum tC
another we read the inscriptions in
re, plendent style, and come to re-
gard them as mansions on a fash.
ionable avenue, until in front oI
the stupendous statue of Stone
wall Jackson. 1t H. situated on a
high artificial mound, conspicuous
impressive, and commands an
admirable view from far away.
long, white marble stairway lead,
to the vaults below where the re.
mains Of some fifty or sixty of the
army of northern Virginia, Louis
lana division, lie, including Jeffrr
son Davis, who died in New Or
leans, December, 1899. Aftel
lingering here between the awfu
solemnity of these noted tomb,
and the song birds and sweet flow
ers, retrace my steps serenely
thoughtlully, and this conclude,
my observation of Melairie, one o
the most beautiful cemeteries il
the world.
F. l. DECKER
Savannah, Ca, March 7, 1892.
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