The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24

and came to Raleigh in October, 1874,
to engage in dairy farming, but III No
vember of the same year he was IN
duced to take charge Of the cemetery,
and has been in that position ever since.
NJ more favorable comment can be
made upon Mr.. FORESTS amiaDle PEI
sonal traits and lovable disposition than
the fact that coming, an eX-Federal
soldier into Il distinctiyely Southern
community, he has net failed to win the
sincere and lasting friendship OF all
who know him. Mr. Forrest is man
of great originality and progressive
ideas, believes in keeping thoroughly
abreast with the times, and allows moth.
ing that is new and desirable in Gene
terry Improvement to escape his atten-
ton He is a valued member of the
National Association Of American Gene
terry superintendent, which is composed
OF the ablest men in the United States
and meets each year to discuss cemetery
Improvement Mr.. Forrest will attend
the convention of this association, which
meets i'm, New Haven, Conn, next Sep
tember When Mr.. Forrest assumed
charge of Oakwood Cemetery, it was in
Il very crude shape. only two men being
employed He went immediately TO
work and circulated paper soliciting
lot owners To give the cemetery assoc
citation charge of the lots, who readily
endorsed the plan, about fifty coming
i'm the first year, and now between two
hundred and fifty, and three hundred lot
owners have subscribed to the associa-
ton for the annual care of their lots.
1t is now proposed to institute a plan
by which lots when first sold will be
purchased under condition that it is to
be cared fer perpetually, thus insuring
each lot proper attention and avoiding
any ragged or uncoutht looking plots.
LIN order to PLACE lots in reach of every
one. plan has been adopted TO sell
lots on the installment plan, and the
scheme is proving popular. lakewood is
Il yeritable garden of beauty, and takes
rank easily with the more famous bury
ing grounds in Charleston, Savannah
and New Orleans.
Mr. Forrest is thoroughly up-to-date
in every particular. A canopy tent is
provided for the protection of the be-
reaved family ut all burials, and the
cemetery attendants are neatly dressed
in black uniform and take charge of the
remains from the hearse, thus relieving
the pali-bearers of such duty A hand
some chapel, costing about $1,000, built
by the association, for free use of lot
owners, and which is, of course, non
UNCONVENTIONAL, stands in the center Of
the cemetery and adds beauty and Dig
nifty to the already beautiful surround
ings. The Cemetery Association is now
discussing a private system Of water
works.
Oakwood Cemetery is so acres in ex-
tent, beautifully terraced, and is the
pride of the city. When Mr.. Forrest
first started out to improve the grounds
there were only two magnolia trees in
the cemetery, but now there are over
100 also many fine specimens of the
Norway Spruce, Japan Cypress, White
Pine, Firs, Ye.w Trees. together with II
great variety Of handsome plants,
shrubs and flowers.
AIR. Forrest says he has only just be-
gun his work, and the Association in
tends to keep on improving and beauti-
flying the grounds. A new entrance is
soon to be built, and the roads are un-
der constant care. A large and hand
some receiving vault is one of the fea-
lures at this thoroughly modern City
OF the Dead.