The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-05-12


city several years ago.
An addition to the notable monuments
in Rock Creek Church yard is the recent
ly completed vault erected by Thomas II.
AIdrich II is a handsome structure of
white marble. the floor and ceiling of the
interior being of mosaic. Facing the
small, circular-headed entrance are the
inches. twenty-one in number, for the re-
ception Of urns containing the ashes of
the deceased.
Facing the gate OF Rock Creek Gene
terry is a Celtic cross upon which is the
following inscription:
To the Glory of God
And in Memory OF
JOHN BRADFORD,
Our Great Benefaetor,
Who Gave to the Church This
Glebe Of 100 Acres A D. lIl9.
This is said TO be the first Celtic cross
erected in America II was exhibited at
the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia
in 1876 and was purchased by the Commit
tee of Rock Creek Church yard, who
caused the above inscription to be cut
upon it and erected it in memory of John
Bradford Several Celtic crosses have
since been erected in the cemetery, some
of more elaborate design than the original
one
The mausoleum of the Van Ness family
in Oak Hill is a reproduction of the beau
tiful Temple of Vesta at Rome. The mon
ument of Edwin NJ. Stanton, Secretary of
War in President Lincoln's Cabinet, also
in Oak Hill, is a grey granite shaft about
twenty feet high tapering from base to
summit like a slender pyramid. 1t bears
the plain inscription:
Edwin NJ Stanton.
Born December 10, 1914
Died December p. 1859.
In the Congressional Cemetery are l60
cenotaphs to dead Congressman. stretch
ing in long monotonous rows, all of them
with two exceptions of a uniform shape
and size, and erected at Government ex-
pense. Some of the stones mark the ac-
tuaI burying place of the defunct states
men. but others. like those commemora-
tive of Henry Clay. John Quincy Adams,
and Thaddeus Stevens. merely stand in
honor of those distinguished naEes. Stree
1876 the practice OF erecting cenotaphs, De
gun in 1896, has been abandoned.
When the cemetery was established in
1903 its projectors thought it would be a
good idea to secure the interment in the
new cemetery of Congressman who passed
away while serving their country in
Washington. So 400 burial sites were set
apart for the free interment of Congress-
men dying away from home, and the place
was named the Congressional Cemetery.
AS methods Of transportation improved,
and the families Of the deceased found
opportunity TO take the bodies home for
interment, the practice fell into disuse,
and ultimately a law was enacted pro-
viding that a cenotaph should be erected
in the cemetery to every Congressman
who died in office, and for a number of
years this custom was followed.
In 1876 a law was enacted providing
that no cenotaph should be erected un-
less interment was made in the cemetery.
AS the Congressional functions Of the
cemetery seemed to have lapsed. the trust
ees are now asking the Government to
deed to them the remainder of the 40
lots that they may be sold, and this viii
probably be done by the next Congress.
The cenotaphS are plain blocks of ma
sonry covered with cement Each is in
scribed with the name OF the dead man,
the State he represented in the House or
Senate, and the date of his death. Some
of the inscriptions are now illegible. The
oldest decipherable is on a cenotaph in
memory of Andrew T. Butler, a Senator
from the State of South Carolina, who
died in 1896. As stated ali the cenotaphs
are of uniform size and shape, except in
two instances one is a marble monu-
ment to Elbridge Gerry, of Massachu-
sets. Vice President Of the United States
and famous in Revolutionary history 1t
is a pyramid-shaped pile about twice the
height Of the other cenotaphs, surmount-
ed by an urn containing a representation
OF an undying fame.
The other is a monument TO George
Clinton. of New York, also Vice Presi-
dent, and active in the war Of 1872. one
side presents a bold profile likeness Of
Clinton. cut in marble beneath which is
the following inscription:
To the memory of George Clinton lie was
born ia the State Of New York on the 10Th Of
July. 1893. and died at the city Of Washington
2th Of April, ISL in the seventy-third year Of
his age he was soldier and statesman Of the
hefolutlon eminent IN counsel, distinguished in
War- He filled with unexamped usefulness,
purity. and ability, among many other high
offices, those Of Governor Of his native State
and Of Vice President OF the United States
While he lived his virtue wisdom and yalor
were the pride, the ornament. and the security
Of his country, and when he died he left an
illusirious example Of a well-spent life, worthy
This Monument
Is Aaeetionatcly Dedicated by His Children
Among the cenotaphs is one 70 Push
ma-ta- ha, Choctaw chief who. the In
ecription states, died OF Group" in the
sixtleth year of his age. while visiting
Washington in 1874. Beneath this inscrfp-
ton is the statement that the red chief
tain In his last breath desired the big
salute he desired.
Somewhere In the same burial ground
is the resting place of Writ. the gifted
author Of the British Spy" His remains
remained In the receiving vault for ten
mopths. His friends and the members
OF the Washington Bar had promised TO
erect suitable monument provided his
burial was permitted in the cemetery
but the pledge was unredeemed, and the
remains were, after a long delay, placed
In Obscure grave
William Pinkney OF Maryland, one of
the most eminent orators OF his age,
having been esteemed by many the su-
peri9r Of Patrick Henry. also Les buried
IN Congressional Cemetery
Perhaps the most remarkable monli-
mcnt 10 the dead in Washington is that
erected at Arlington to the memory Of
the dead soldiers. 2.llI in number who
ie!l on the battlefields OF Bull Run and
the road TO the Rappahannock and whose
remains could not be identified The in
scription upon this tomb reads as follows:
Beneath this stone ropose the bones OF two
thoE5and one hundred and eleven unknown SOL
diers, gathered after the war from the Acids OF
Bull Run and the route TO the RappahannOck
Their remains could not be identified but thei-
names and deaths recorded in the archives OF
their country, and its grateful citizens honor
them Of their noble sruy Of martyrs May
they rest in peace. September. A. d. 1886.