The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1893-06-21

Maple Grove Cemetery.
Drifting down the stream of life to common
end, the means employed and the places pre-
pared for the disposal of his dead, have always
been subjects of the deepest concern to civilized
man. No surer evidence of nations progress
sve status is furnished than to look at its ceme-
teries and take note of what is there revealed.
The same is true of community. The place
where the bones of friends and kindred are al
lowed to lie in neglected graves; where wild
chaos of matted vegetation is permitted to riot
in undisturbed growth, obliterating the identity
of the mounds that should be sacred, and max
ing mockery of the very services with which
they were supposed to have been consecrated
as hallowed ground; where the marble shafts
lie broken, and where there is neither order,
beauty nor decency, betrays lamentable alb
sence of higher sentiment among the people
responsible for such state of feeling. 1t sug-
gests too surely the character of their ambitions
and endeavors, and writes in unmstakable char
acters the true reason of such indifference. 1t
means that the grosser affairs of life are of more
importance to them than those connected with
dead. Palliate, gid over or excuse it, the fact
still remains a reproach to their hearts and
thoughts. A community, on the other hand,
that spares neither time nor money in beautify-
ing and immortalizng. as it were, its city of the
dead is one in which dwells the highest type of
men and women. 1t is an index of higher de-
velopment to keep alive the memory of the de-
parted. and if the heart is right in such purpose,
the hand will be found giving ready expression
to it wherever it appropriately can do so.
1t has come to be characteristic of this age to
reverently provide for its dead, whether by cre-
nation or burial, mpressing upon the advancing
generations the sanctity of human life, in the
respect shown the stilled forms once animated
by the Divine spark.
There are few places or communities in this
part of Ohio that are not in accord with this
awakened spirit. Every year witnesses strength
ening of the sentiment, and it is now well-nigh
| impossible, at least on the Western Reserve, for
any one, be he never so poor or lowly, to fill a
grave of utter future neglect.
While much has been said and written con-
| corning Maple Grove Cemetery, its beauties of
trees, lawns and flowers, we think it was never
| so beautiful as this Summer. Surely if the be-
| reaved hearts OF mourning friends can be bright
ened and cheered by the smiles of Nature, they
will find solace in Maple Grove With its
| stately trees, smooth mown surface lovely lakes
and beautiful drives it modifies the grief of the
afflicted ones who visit its silent retreats. and
soothes the weary heart with suggestions of
peace and happiness. There is nothing to mar
the beauty and symmetry of its we'll ordered
surface. 1t is literally without fault or blemish
When its former condition is remembered, the
change seems well nigh wonderful, for the OBJ
stacles encountered at the beginning of the
work were very great, and at times apparently
insurmountable. But the task has been COM
pleted, and completed well, and now the work
of grading and beautifying the new part added
to the north of the silent city, has been COM
meneed. This work has been assumed by the
ladies of the Cemetery Association, who are
striving earnestly and faithfully to secure sufi-
cient funds for the consummation of their plans,
There will be no burials in this part. 1t was
added solely for asthetical purposes, and will,
when completed, be the most beautiful part of
Maple Grove. 1t will be made to initiate nature
| as nearly as can be. An artificial lake, about
4oox3oo feet, of irregular shore lines, will occu-
py the southeast corner of the new area. This
will be connected with the present lakes by a
winding stream made to resemble forest brook
A rustic bridge and waterfall will add to its eff
feet. From the present old part north entrance
winding roadway will diverge through the park
intersecting with those running east and west
There will be another Chestnut street entrance
midway of the north and south line. from which
a double roadway will diverge into two east and
west drives extending across the park, and sep
arated from each other by two beautiful lawns
100 feet in width. All the walks and drives will
be ornamented with double rows of shade trees
These are the main features of the improve.
| ments
Work was commenced on the lake Monday
and will be pushed as rapidly as can be- wealth.
er considered.
The ladies are entitled to great credit and
praise, and should be warmly and generously
supported in their enterprise