Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-08
FRIsCO's COSTLY TOMBS.
Nearly n Million Spent I'm Erecting
GrSnfta Rn~es

Nearly n Million Spent I'm Erecting
Granite Boxes.
With the last decade and more particu-
larly during the past few years there have
been erected in the half-dozen cemeteries
In the suburbs of San Francisco and Oak
land dozen vaults the aggregate cost o.
which is more than three quarters Of a mil
lion dollars.
Though they are all made of granite, says
the San Francisco Examiner, their appear.
ance gives no suggestion of the enormous
cost of construction. Most of them are
small, box-like affairs not much bigger than
the kiosks which studded the main drive.
way OF the Midwinter fair. One or two are
massive, somber structures with hardly @
line of architectural beauty. In fact, the
same may be said of all of them
The largest and at the same time one OF
the costliest of them all is that of w. s.
O'Brien, which was erected IN Calvary cem-
etery several years ago. 1t occupies the
highest elevation at the south side of the
cemetery and at first glance suggests small
fortress OF the middle ages with its many
turret-like projections and oddly arranged
pillars. In general outline 1t follows the
Gothic style OF architecture, with central
structure from which project two wings
wherein arranged in tiers on each side, have
been built several inches for the reception
or the dead. The Interior OF the vault is
hnished throughout with polished marble
OF the finest quality. Inclosing each of the
inches Is solid slab Of marble with bronze
mountings, while heavy gate of the same
material protects the entrance. This alone
cost several thousand dollars.
The plot on which the vault has been built
Is not more than forty feet square, but the
dimensions of the vault are much smaller
than that. The entire plot is inclosed by a
low stone wall with many solid granite posts
W. in fuhs 80
solid granite steps lead up to the entrance of
the vault from each side. The interior Of the
vault is lighted by single stained glass
window, which, 1t is said, cost about $1,000.
The cost Of the entire structure was nearly
100000.
Another family vault which has cost an
equal amount to build bears the name OF
Flood. Like the O'Bren sepulcher, 1t has
been erected on one OF the highest points In
the graveyard, but In the Laurel Hill ceme-
terry instead of Calvary. The site is not any
larger than that of the O'Briens. and the
vault itself is not as large. In appearance
1t resembles the Acropolis at Rome, with its
many polished pillars and low. rambling
build. There are no less than twenty eight
OF these pillars supporting a roof COM
posed of huge granite slabs Like the O'Brien
vault, the very largest blocks of granite that
could be secured have been used. The entire
plot not occupied by the vault has been COW
cred by heavy granite flooring as smooth
and polished as a looking glass. There Is
nothing very pretentious about either the in
terror or the exterior of this vault.
Adjoining 1t is the vault containing the
remains OF the late Senator Fair, which
cost $50 900 to build. 1t is very small, not
more than ffteeh feet square. and composed
entirely OF granite. In style Of architecture
1t follows the Gothic designs, but is slightly
suggestive Of a soda water fountain.
The example Of the Floods has been fol-
lowed in regard to the walk surrounding
the vault.
Senator Jones OF Nevada has also built
$4,000 vault In the same cemetery, which
boasts Of no greater degree Of beauty than
any OF the others.
At the Cypress Lawn cemetery In San