Richmond planet., 1896-08-29
Personals and 6, neral Locals.
NORFOLK. VA. August 20, 1895

NORFOLK, VA, August 20, 1895
About eighteen years ago the CITY
purchased tract of land a mile from
the city limits north OF Princess Anne
Avenue or road adjoining the BalIen-
tine property in Norfolk County TO be
used as cemetery for the colored
people The old burying ground, pot
ters held, more recent West Point
cemetary In which our dead had been
bdried from time immemorial was con
sidered no longer to be used for such
purposes, having been buried over
and over again.
The city graded and laid the place
of in q most tasty manner, appoint-
ed keeper with an assistant. named
the place Calvary. Our people then
for the first time were given deeds
proper for lots in the same. Every
thing was very creditable and our
people had the utmost confidence in
the keeper and the different assistants
who were colsred and who to all pur-
pose felt deep interest in all tending
to memoriZing our dead or assisting in
bemoaning the many lamentarv
ordeals that came under their obser-
vatiOn through the line of duty and as
race men. Until a few years ago
when it was discovered accidentIy or
any how it became public that a grave
lofrecent buried person had been desc
Grated and robbed of the coffin.
The matter was carried to court but
owing to the absence of important
witnesses the trial never took place.
the keeper having skipped. Lastly
after about year the matter came to
an end without a trial of accused, a
case.
So Calvary with a new keeper and
assistant our dead was supposed to
be resting in sacred spots where they
were placed. Bnt to our utmost dismay
more horrible, and most inhuman
spectacle of desecration which sunk
the past into insignlficence, has been
brought to the eyes of our new ceme-
tary committee. It was brought to
| light through our new keeper, Mr..
Frank Gillian unto whom every col
ored citizen should unite in giving an
everlasting deed of gratitude.
Instead OF a cemetary he found a
wilderness of weeds covering nearly
the entire place, several feet high
hundreds OF graves sunk and devoid oi
many trinklets that marked the spot
where many Low ed ones laid no doubt
where many tears were shed. Over
the graves that did contain the remains
of those over whom tears were shed
owing to the many dissertations. a body
was found only about two feet in the
sod and that in no coffin.
Onfurther investigation in the weed:
were found several wagons of trink-
cts indecently taken from the
graves of the dead. By whom2 Is the
question. Hogs were being raised a in
part of cemetary which was said to be-
long TO the ex-keeDer w. ID. Meekins
| The Gold Democrats of Norfolk sen
D delegates TO the State Gold Conven
tion The most influential business meI
and moss covered on to the wool dye(
democrats figured as leaders and dele
gates in the meeting. Norfolk ha
Iquite a gold-following who if the,
cannot vote for third candidate will
go fishing.
The factional fight in this district j
no nearer halted than it was before tn
Repub'n Convention and unless sam
ls done soon the district is lost. Capt
John /. Roper an influential an,
wealthy republican is urged as com
promise candidate who can heal anC
bring the party together.
The Butte Street Baptist Cnurc
carried large crowd on their seconS
excursion this season to Petersbur
making Il fair sum to assist the Rev
Boiling on his new church fund.
Rev. H. II. Mitchell, the new paste
Of the Bank Street Baptist has not d
vet assumed charge Of his ne wicall,
Rev. J. f Brickhouse, pastor Of til
IAU NJ P Church led to the altar La
week Miss Emma Salyer one of Nol
J folks young ladies.
Red letter news IN our next lett,
with the cemetery invs stigation.
NEEDLES