Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1897-12-03
OUR CEMETERIES
With Special Reference to that
at West BrattlebOrO.


the Resting Places of the Dead.
The annual meeting of the West, Brattle-
boro cemetery association was held at
Academy hall Saturday. The reports of |
the officers and committees were approved, !
and with the exception of one who re-
signed and whose place was filed 10y an.
other, the old board of officers was con
tinued for another year, as follows: For |
president, Henry Akley; secretary and !
treasurer, H. F. Weatherhead; trustees.
II. Akley, II. F. Weatherhead, Cotton
Mather. John l.. Barney, Mrs. f. A. Rich
ardson Mrs. Alma J. Goodenough and
Miss Maria l.. Stedman. 1t was voted to
have the lots and alleys moved three times
the coming year, once just before Decora-
ton day, and twice at later dates. There
was much discussion as to various ways
and means of prosecuting the improve
ments already 50 well begun, and as to
what new measures can be adopted to this
end in respect to which, there was gen
eral feeling of regret that all the members
of the association could not have been
present to contribute their quota of sug
ge ,tiuns aud to prof. 10y what was said
thereby showing such a general commun-
ity of interest in the work, such a com
mendable esprit dc corps as the worthy
enterprise merits ana demands.
The original field was laid on. in los in
1904, and the first burial in it seems TO
have been that of William Hale, whose
grave is Just little north of the north
gate. The original cemetery has been en-
larged by several additions on the south
side. the last of which, half an acre was
made and laid out in lots only some six or
seven years ago: and yet of these lots no
less than 81 have already been sold. Dur
ing these half dozen years, or since the
association was incorporated, much has
been done. many improvements made.
The iron fence on the road side has been
completed valuable stream of water
has been brought in from a rich, everliv-
ing spring goodly number of beauti-
full monuments have been erected by the
owners of lots, and a good beginning
made toward effecting other improvements;
all which shall make the entire field, in
due time, a thing of beauty. aud help to
give it a sunny atmosphere, all worthy OF
its hallowed use and design.
But to this end there is yet much to be
done. Comparatively sterile lots might
be enriched and more becoming enclos-
ure erected on the west side. If all the
dear friends of the deceased, who are ac
customed to decorate the graves of their
loved ones, from time to time, with flow
ers, would procure and use iron vases,
made and fitted for the purpose, which
can be had for % or 80 cents apiece, and
upwards, according to size. the rusty tin
cans and glass bottles could be given up at
small cost and great gain. And if these
loving friends of the dear departed ones
would, either in person or by proxy, take
away the flowers when they shall have
filled their sacred mission, lost their frag
rance and beauty and become unsghtly, it
would be another step in the right direc-
ton. Any owner of lot, resident or non
resident, wishing his lot might be fitted up,
enriched and properly kept, but for any
reason is unable to do this work in person
may have it done by the sexton by con-
tracing with him 10 this end. The an
nual interest of a certain sum paid into
the treasury of the association for keeping
a lot enriched and in proper order or con-
dition for all coming generations will be
faithfully used for this purpose Work of
this kind, to put and keep a lot, ceme-
terry, in proper condition, is due alike to
those who have gone before, TO those who
still remain, and to those who shall come
after us, being, as none can deny, work
of true piety, good religion, good taste,
proper self-respect, even matter of most
commendable pride; for, of truth, as the
adage hath it, "He who is not proud of
his ancestors, either has no ancestors to be
proud of or else he is degenerate son."
Many indeed, very many are the mo-
tives and reasons why the living should
cherish the memory and kindly care for
the final earthly resting place of the de-
ceased; though so many, in these busy
days, seem to count it neither a blessed
privilege nor sacred duty. at is a very
heavy stone TO be thrown at man," says
one TO whom the writer is indebted for
some of the facts and thoughts of this
paper, "to tell him there shall be no mem
DRY of him with posterity." This most
natural, even heaven-born desire, not to be
forgotten or have our kindred and friends
forgotten is found alike in all the humblest
as well as in the Hottest of the right-mind
ed in every age and in every land. We
find the force of this feeling now in the
rudest monument IN the country church.
yard, and now in the most costly struci ure
in the proud city's cemetery. The poet
Gray recognizes and embalms this senti-
ment in that stanza of his "Elegy" which
asks,
For who TO Dumb Forgetfuness prey
This pleasing, anxious being e'er resigned
Left the warm precincts of the cheerful day
Nor cast one longing, lingering look behind?''
Even the old-time Roman, pagan as he
was, counted it a sweet charity TO throw a
little earth upon the unburied yet deceased
o body. 1t would, as he thought, save the
otherwise cherries shade hundred years
wandering on the shores of StyX. So, too,
in the mind of the pagan Greek, a few
handfuls of earth bestowed by a pious
band was esteemed priceless boom The
art and mystery of embalming, for which
the Egyptians were noted, together with
the time-defying character of their sepul-
chres, showed most worthy and wonder
full regard on their part, for their dead.
The marks of kind remembrance and
warm affection which our own aborigines
were wont to bestow upon the mortal rel
les of the departed, all point to the depth
and universally of the loving and lovely
sentiment OF which we speak. and throw
to us challenge for respect; though the
sacred scriptures Christianity and modern
civilization show us a better way.
AS an early illustration of this "better
way, "ewhO has not read often, and with
ever new delight and inspiration that
beautiful account of the first cemetery of
which We have any authentic record? How
Abraham purchased feld-cave, trees
and ALTO b. unto him and his for a
buryng place. 1t would take long TO tell
how Sarah aud Abraham and Rebecca and
Isaac and Leah and Jacob, were buried
there, and how there" as one has said,
"the relics remain, as we believe, to this
day, preserved by the providence of God,