The Press., 1896-07-09
(COntrtbuted.) THE HILLSIDE GENIE ETERY.

THE HILLSIDE CEMETERY.
 Like many other kindred institutions of the town, the early dates relating to Hill side cemetery are wanting. The time ot the first setting apart of land and of the formation of the burial place now known by the above title are not matters of rec ord. By dilligent inquiry, the secretary of the association, Miss Celia Holt, has gath the residents in what was then sarcastical- ly called "Gomorrah," now Stafford HOl- low-the name "SOdOm' being given to what is now Stafford Springs discussed the propriety of establishing burial place at the Hollow. Three men, Amos Har- vey, Joseph Alden and Richard Stroud, proposed to give land to the north of the village, on the road leading to the Alden farm, and others proposed to give their labor. Cold weather came before any actual steps were taken. In January, 1884, Jacob GerOuld was buried in what was then the highway, and in the next month Hannah Sheldon was buried near by. In the spring the grounds were To- cated, and included the lots on which these bodies were inferred. Some twenty years later the graveyard was enlarged by the addition of a portion of land lying west, and owned by Moses Harvey and Elijah Fai1man, making it of it's present dimensions. Charles Bardwell is credited with giving this burial place the name of "Sandy Knoll," by which name it has been known for over sixty years. During all the years that it has held this name it was, in sense, in private hands, though the town appointed a sexton.
 In 1894 measures were taken looking to the incorporation and endowment of the cemetery. There were lots which had nc one to care for them, there being no rela. tives of those buried there living in the vicinity. It was also decided to change its name. Accordingly in May 1895, by the aid of Hon. J. R. Washburn, then a member of the state legislature, an act was passed giving a charter to tho Hill side Cemetery Association. The follow ing persons are named in the charter as the original incorporators E. c. Pinney Celia Holt, Ellen Weston, Miner F. Fair man, Mary Prince, Mrs. A. H. Weaver Rufus Witt, Mrs. G. B. Francis, Lydie Lawrence, Horace Kinney, Eliza Hol brook, Mary Cross, James Risley, A. H T q ces Adams, Ebenezer Colburn, Homer Lord, s. B. Dwight, Henry Gerould, anc Russell Colburn. The association organ ized June 8, 1895, by the election of the necessary officers. On August 3d, at { special meeting called for that purpose bylaws were presented, and the following provisions are of general interest: The annual meeting is to be held on tho first Saturday in May of each year, in the town hall of Stafford, at p. n. Every lot owner is entitled to one vote. w. copy Article 13 entire.
 "Whenever any person or persons shal give or bequeath sum of money to tht association, in trust, the income there
 
 or removal of any tomb, monument gravestone, or other erection, or for plant ing or'cultivating trees, shrubs, flowers or plants, in or around any lot or lots il the Hillside cemetery, the president anC directors shall invest said sum of money and eXpend the income therefrom as di rected by the party giving or bequeathins l the same"
 ! hn If hn iofi i01 are as follows President, E. Pinney secretary and treasurer, Celia Holt; di rectors, the president, the secretary Martha F. Dwight, Jane Weaver, an( Russell Colburn; solicitor, Ellen Weston Rufus Witt was chosen to have charge O the sale of lots Homer Lord was chosel sexton.
 In May of this year, the wall on tn south side. from the gate eastward, wa repaired and new top stones were placed on it; the ground just inside the wal filled up and seeded; an arched gateway with the name of the cemetery on tn arch; turnstile erected, and other i'm provements made. There are yet som headstOnes that need strengthening an' setting up, and when this is done, by tn parties interested, 1t will be a pleasan "City of the Dead"
 An endowment fund has been begun which now amounts to $721. It has bee most securely invested, as the bylaw strictly require. The following person have contributed to this fund Jane Wea yer, Mary Prince, Ellen Weston, Celi Holt, Janette Francis, Lydia Lawrence Mrs. E. w. Preble, Mrs. A. w. Preble Mrs. Leonard Washburn, Mrs. s. B. Am adon, estate of Frances Adams, Ebeneze Colburn, Stafford; Julia Ellis and Mrs Dr. Bullock, of N. Cambridge, Mass. Mrs. Joseph Satterlee, Brookline, Mass. Angie Washburn, w. Brookfield, Mass. Emily Barton, Warren, Mass; 0. W Studley, Palmer, Mass; Amelia Fenton Trinidad, Colorado; Hattie K. Davis Derby, Vt.; Alvira Holmes, Tallapoosa Ga.; Mrs. D. T. Ruby, Norwich; Jane H