New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-01-05
SATURDAY,
JANUARY S, 1895.
A COMPLICATED CONTEST.
THE TROUBLE OVER OLD ST. JOHN
CEMETERY.

SOME PEOPLE SAY THEY OWN LOTS THERE AM
WANT THE MONEY FOR THEM-TRINIrY
SAYS THEY DoNT-rAXPAYERs PRO-
TEST AGAINST THE ASSESSMENT.
Some people who say they own lots in old 81
Johns Cemetery. In Hudson-st., which Is about q
be turned over TO the city by the Trinity Corpd
ration for a park complaining about the sald
They say that Trinity has no right to take mone$
from the city for their lots and that they shoull
be paid for what they say is their land. The Trim
ity officers say however. that no records can u
found of deeds for any lots sold to individuals
The of this cemetery has been dragging alont
for several years. Trinity Church intended to pu
up a big church there, its officers say and when tn
city proposed to buy the old burying ground. which
holds 10000 bodies the church corporation protestee
and offered to sell the block opposite, which Is GOV
cred with buildings. instead. II offered to keep TN
cemetery in good condition. and the people IN tina
part OF the city would then have two breathing
spots instead Of one. The city. however. declaref
that the cemetery must be taken. one OF the rea
sons given being that 1t contained large numoe1
of shade trees The church replied to this by point
ing out that the trees were several rect peio" th
grade and that II the ground were filled IN II wou
Kill them The protest against taking the groune
was also based on sentimental reasons. The ianf
had been used for a burying ground for over 10
years and the corporation wished to prevent th>
complications which certain to arise over tne
disposal OF the bodies. The city remained oodul
rate however, and the was carried to tne
courts and the church corporation was defeated.
The court appointed a commission to appraise tne
property. and 1t awarded the sum OF SN"". ~
though Colonel Cruger. the controller OF 1rIni'y
Corporation, INSISTED that the land was worth muc1
more than that That point decided the commits
| sioners, under the law, assessed half or the exi
pense the taxpayers In an area which was SUP
posed TO be benefited by the park. Although peo1
pie in the neighborhood wished to have park'
when the assessment was made vigorous protesu
we're made by some OF the taxpayers 10 the COM
missioners that the assessment was an outrass'
ETC. The commission. however. could 90 nothing.
and the protesting taxpayers went to the Board q
Street Openings for relief They wanted the ciU
at large to pay for the new park. IL snouio %
noted that although the land was taken from
Trinity Church. and although the corporauon
owns considerable land near the proposed parks
it's officers say It made no protest against the a.
sessment. The protesting taxpayers had their nrss
public hearing before the board yesterday "oi"ns'
Nothing definite was done.
What will be done with the bodies In the old ceme'
terry is at present decidedly uncertain. Trinity says
that as the city insisted on buying me iahu' tns
city must dispose Of the bodies sb bns pesnonsbs
for the bodies Some of the people whose frien no
or relatives were buried tnee nave the bodies ia
other cemeteries What will be done Win the resi-
busy city for the last trump" remains TO be
seen II will be- impossible, OF course 20 rsmovs
so long that they must surely have gone back "a
the original clay. and 1t is small "Snder that tne
descendanis OF these people, who lived long ago
and have slept undisturbed through so many years.
should be Mortified at the idea or desecratng tneIr
resting places and Trinity used all its great power
10 prevent IT, but il was of avail.
Colonel CrIger was asked about the complaints
NJ neonle who saw they own lots in the cemetery.
He said that no record of deeds for lots sold te
individuals could be found. He could not understand
why the city should insist on having just that
particular land. when the corporation offered to
sell the block opposite without regard TO the value
OF the buildings on II. The corporation had pro-
tested against it solely sentimental grounds
cision in regard TO the case, he use In dis
cussing the matter further. He did not know what
disposal would be mace OF the bodies; the ciey
would have to attend to IL.