The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1894-10-05
IMPROVING GLENwooD CE1ETERY

A cemetery is ground set apart for
the particular purpose of burying the
dead. and to be held sacred for that
mournerS may visit it undiSturbed to
hold communion in sweet memories
of the past.
81 am a sojourner with you; give
me a possession of a burrying place
with you, that l may bury my dead
out of my sight"
These are the words of Abraham to
the children of Heth. They were
words spoken on mournful occasion,
on the death of Sarah; and Abraham
for four hundred Shekels purchased
the field Ephron, the'cave, and all the
trees that were thereon for burying
place.
In all ages of the world, the living
have felt a solicitude about the last
resting place of their departed loved
ones, whether it be mother, father,
sister, or cOmrade.
Glenwood cemetery is not today
what it was q few pears ago. In death
we leave time for eternity; the inter
course with man for the intercourse
with God. The superintendent aim
has been to make GlenwOod not only
a place for burying the dead, but to
give it cheerful and harmonious ap-
pearance, and yet keep within the
purpose for which a cemetery is de-
signed. Characteristic of a cemetery
are cheerfulneSS, quietnesS and seclu-
ism, that when the grief-stricken
mourners may visit it to hold COM
munion with memories of the past,
they can do so undisturbed.
A cemetery serves it's purpose when
it does two things: First, when it
takes care of the dead organic ma
terial of human bodies; second when
it serves by it's neatneSS, it's beauty,
it's quietneSs, it's secluSiOn and it's as
surance of permanent resting place
to asSuage the sorrow of those who
have lost their friends.
That both of these requirements are
being fulfilled by Glenwood cemetery
is patent to every visitor A FREE
PRESS reporter took drive through
the grounds today and could
not refrain from eXclama-
tionS at the beauty of the
grounds, and eXtolling the wisdom and
forethought of those who selected the
location, which is such that any city
might envy Only one thing
more remains to be done,
to secure the continued isola-
tion of the grounds and the native
beauty of the surroundings, and that
is for the association to purchase a
narrow strip of land bordering on the
road opposite the cemetery, and be-
longing to the Joseph May estate.
nnnn in, tho rOcCnCCinn of tho oCSnoin-
tion, man cannot disfgure the sur
roundings sufficiently to mar the
beauty of the scenery in the future.
That this should be purchased soon is
proved by the erection near at hand
of an unSightly Shanty and sheds.
Superintendent JeWSOn is now en-
gagged in an important improvement
near the entrance to the cemetery. A
force of men has graded some of
the sold and unsold lots, making
some beautiful slopes, land sodding
the whole over. The ground
being improved comprises some
10000 square feet, and the improve
ment is 50 great as to receive the
commentator of all visitors. 1t is
hoped to do more of this work next
year, and the plans for the ultimate
improvement OF the grounds are quite
comprehensive, and if carried out
will make the cemetery model of it's
kind at very little expense. The
grounds are now well protected against
the wearing effects of storm water by
a system of cement pipe drains and
stone cutters Mr.. Jewsen has planted
shrubbery and flowers in various parts
of the grounds, as an experiment, and
the association is so well pleased with
this that it has made an appropriation
to carry this out more fully. The
walks and drives are scrupulOusly
neat, and the grass is green and grow.
ing nicely on all parts of the grounds,
thanks to the recent rains.
1t would well repay anyone to visit
the cemetery, which is becoming very
park like and illustrating the latest
ideas as to cemetery work. The drive
to and from the cemetery is delight
full one, over a fine road and between
wooded bluffs, now presenting all the
cOlOrs and hueS of fall. 1t would be a
great pity if these trees were ever cut
from the slopes, for at present the
ravine is equal to any park in the
country. The road needs repairs in
places, and with gravel and not clay,
as was done in one place.
-Four new cottages are being built
at Point Pleasant for the accommoda.
tion of their guests next season.
L. Patterson & Co. state that their
trade for the present month is better
than for any Septemberin a number OF
years. This is straw indicating a
revival of business.