The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-11-16

~ NE or the most interesting and
curious sights to a stranger vis-
iting New Orleans is the ceme-
teries, "thc cities of the dead" often
called, and nowhere Is the term mere
appropriate than in New Orleans. The
soil being low and wet. it is necessary
to bury above ground, consequently
interments are almost wholly made
above ground, presenting the appear
ance of cities, with little white marble
houses. (mausoleums), which serve as
tombs, SO unlike burying places in
other cities as to make n visit note
worthy. lnterments are only made in
the ground by the very poorer class,
who have TO dig very shallow graves.
as vou cannot dig two feet without
striking water. At present. however.
this mode of burial is but little used
tor sanitary reasons The customary
way is to bury in tombs of brick or
marble, costing from 800 to Sl1OO or
more. Some crypts can be secured for
SO and upwards.
The tombs generally consist of two
vaults. with II crypt below for bones.
and well cemented. to prevent cxhala.
tions from the bodies within. and rig
orous laws are enforced to prevent
'io'I p'IIiS Ol'cllcl tpu SOOl tl-
ter burial. These tombs are built in
tiers. like Il wall of extraordinary
thickness, and are called owens" In
some cases, there are four and five
single vaults. one above the other. Az
ter year or two. if the vault is needed
for another person. the slab is re-
moved, the coffin. which is of wood, is
broken mp and burned and the bones
are deposited in the egypt below, so
that. in this manner, many burials can
he made in the same tomb during Il
series of years.
FUNERAL INVITATIONS.
One of the first things that The
stranger bchods, is the little black
bordered funeral invitation on the
street corner, the relics of Il custom
which is derived from the French. In
these notices the names of half a
dozen families of near and remote kin
are sometimes mentioned These
printed notices are also tackled to the
telegraph poles, which disigure every
corner of the city, as the myriad of
rusty tacks found there. Indicate. In
former times. these invitations We're
sent on 4 silver basket by a slave TO
all friends and the omission to send
one was considered a serious slight.
On November l (All Saints Day) the
cemeteries are visited by thousands.
The tombS are ornamented with how-
ers, china vases. lighted candles and
draperies. In the Catholic cemeteries.
services are held. This Offering OF
flowers preserves the memory of the
Eastern custom of bringing spices to
,he tomb as the holy wFnen did to
.,r I
ferings are mostly immortelles
wrought in harps, anchors, crosses
md crowns and other emblamatic fig
urcs. Another design represents a
sickle embracing a sheaf of wheat
which it has cut down. OF fresh flow
srs, white chrysanthemums are in
great numbers and used with beauti-
.ul effect. a singularly pretty sight.
IL entering these "homeS of the dead
IS that of IL heavily laden orange tree
growing close up to and over the white
and monOtonous tombs. The apples of
~old in the fcrvidly green foliage, SYM
bolzlng life against death. makes a
marked and remarkable picture.
At each of the many gates of the
many Graveyards, sits silent nun,
OF Sister of Charity, in her snowy
habit of purity, with little orphans at
her side. They are her flowers: their
fathers and mothers are up the ave-
nue., further on. resting with the dead.
y little plate near by receives the gift
If every person who enters the ceme-
cry.
THE OLDEST CEMETERY.
There are several old cemeteries in
the center of the city. The oldest are
st. Louis, Nos. !. ., 3 and 4. The