The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-07-11
A DEAD QUIET PLACE
But II Is Raising High links
In the Greenville Section
Just at Present.
CHURCH CEMETERY DESIGNATED
Linden Avenue NJ. 3. Burial Ground
In a DisgracefuI Condition
Citizens Aroused.

h old Linden Avenue W.. e. Church
cemetery at the real of Bamber Hall,
Linden avenue, Greenville, which played
such a prominent part In the fight against
the granting Of a license to Edward
Trembly, who desires to establish a cafe
in the Hall, will, if certain rumors now
in circulation are to be believed, soon
figure In another local sensation. In the
fight against the granting Of a license to
Trembly the opposition based its case
on the cemetery. arguing that to open
a saloon in the Hall would desecrate the
sacred ground. The most active parties
in the opposition were the Trustees of
the Linden Avenue M. E. Church, who
were led by their pastor, the Rev. c. z.
Hull. To many Greenville citizens and
those residing in the immediate vicinity
of the cemetery in particular, the con-
certed action on the part of the trustees
has been more or less of a surprise. For
years the church has most shamefully
neglected its burying ground and al
though The Jersey City News called
their attention to the condition of things
as much as three years ago the ground
remained unchanged.
The cemetery is so situated that no one
in passing by it would for a moment sus-
pect its presence. 1t consists of but a few
lots at the rear of the Hall and Its dimen-
sions are not more than 50x10O feet. En-
trance to the ground is gained by means
of an alley three feet wide on the east
side of the Hall. The small r~iclretty gate
at the entrance has parted company with
the hinges and changes it's position at
each wind storm. The alley is Uttered
with stones of various sizes, thrown there
by the boys of the neighborhood.
A DUMPING GROUND.
In the cemetery a more shocking state
CT affairs prevails. Were it net fer the
few head stones that remain standing,
no one would suppose that it was a rest
ing place for the dead. The entire place
is covered with a heavy growth of grass
and weeds, and the few trees, with their
crooked trunks, further the wild aspect
of the scene. The graves cannot be seen
owing to the thick grass and weeds.
Their presence would not be made known
did they not trip n unexpectedly in
walking about. Large head stones have
parted company with the foundations
them have split in the fall. The iron rail-
ings which once encircled the plots lie
n a confused heap in various spots.
Rusty tin cans, waste papers, barrel
hoops, broken laths ana other rubbish
rs scattered about in abundance. The
boys of the neighborhocd bring these
things there in their frequent trips to the
place. The cemetery is ever without a
caretaker and is open to all at any hour
CT the day or night.
The block of which the burying ground
forms a part is the most thickly D
lated in G~reenville, there being but ooe
vacant lot on it. For some time the resi-
dents have been in search of a plan
whereby they could have the cemetery
removed, and they are now confident
that they nave q plan whereby their
a~nticipat.ons will be reaIized. The resi-
dents say that they would nave no faul!
TO find with the cemetery if it received
proper care and attention, but in its
present condition they claim it is an
eyesore and a public nuisance.
WHERE IS THE CHARTER?
The residents in question claim that
they have. reason to believe that the
cemetery was never chartered, and this
IS the argument they will use in
their plan to get rid of the burial
ground. If the trustees of the church
should prove that the place was char
tered, the residents will take a new tack
and proceed against it as a public NUS
ance, claiming that a cemetery in ths
heart of a residential section is detri-
mental to the health of the community.
The residents who are interested in the
light have been working quietly for some
time, and they declare that they have
everything down pat. Developments may
be looked for in a few days.