The Leon reporter., 1902-10-16

The Improvement of cemeteries is al
most a sacred task. 1t makes one feel
that there are loving hearts left behind
when the city of the dead is tenderly
cared for.
''In addition to its possibilities for fan
ming the fame of practical patriotism,
says Mrs. Thayer, the Village Improve
ment Club Ia an organization which
should make community life happier. 1t
is common ground whereon all citi6sns
should be able to meet in perfect accord.
Tho very broad air of the Village I'm
provement Club necessitates the CO. .opera-
ton of both men and women. The wo-
men alone have done excellent work in
assistance and sympathy of the men In
their tasks or they oftentimes would
have failed. They can aid greatly ]. the
work. Teachers In our schools should
appreciate the value Of this work"
Some amusing anecdotes are told re-
sulting from the visits of our committees
to the primary grades. One small boy
appeals to the children, by rushing into
the house and exclaiming, "oh, mother.
can I pay ten cents and go out and
clean up the streets?" while one baby
girl carried loose paper in from the
lawn and said solemnly, "mamma, burn
this quick or the importation will be
after u.s."
If two or three families will take the
trouble to keep the grass cut, not only in
side their fences but outside, too; park the
strip of ground between the sidewalk and
the street, plant trees, shrubs and flowers
it will not be many seasons until the con-
trast between the we'll kept places and
felt, not only from the aesthetic stand
point of beauty, but from the more practi-
cal point of view real estate value.
In Charlton we began on the town COW.
five years ago. (Which is ten now the paper
having been written In 1880 our streets were
common pastures. For many years our citi>
Aens as individuals sought the council to
| give us Gil ordinance restraining STOCK, but
I the possible loss of future votes overoalhnced
the weight OF individual petitions Orga,
niZed effort however. proved OF more avail
and the improvement club secured the
Fmuch needed stock law. The poor Widows
Ecow'' is restrained where she cannot break
down other poor widows fences, rum their
gardens and make q general nuisance OF her
SELF. After downing the innocent COW. we
back alley, We found the accumulated Nth
A of many years and in comparison with the
5task the town COW paled into nothingness.
Weare now after the loose papers thrown
| Into the streets. Nothing Is easier to dis
1pose OF than piece of paper, but alas, moth
ing is so lasting, SO unsightly as that piece
| OF paper when sent out into the world.
H. Now right here let me tell you what the
merchants in thriving Kansas town DO
with their papers and trash. They nave a
4 brick lined pit built in the back alley, into
which all rubbish is put and burned every
day. Leon might profitably use this suR-
| gestion from the looks OF some OF her back
| But to finish up the subject Of the work
done in Charlton. The railroad COMPANY
promised the Improvement Association II
| not used as . dumping ground they would
spend come money to beautify the r. u.
property: This they have done % you who
lar piece OF ground betweon the tracks 1t
the depot is fenced, nicely grasked, and upsn
raised pillow Of greensward the name
Clipped stone. was told that each ladies'
club planted and kept In good condition q
flower bed in the city park which they trans
formed from Q fOrsaksn looking place into
blooming garden.
They are not doing much this year. one
reason being lack OF support OF the citixsn nc
is not able to devote her time to IL on &C.
count OF her fathers sickness.
In the report kindly sent me from Osceols
ing up the good work they have already
done but the rainy season has prevented
them from doing much this year. AS they
keep up that work and have full charge OF
the censtery. Every lot IS cared for alike
including the Potter's Field. The object OF
the improving and beautifying the grounds
and lots OF the cemetery and the village and
TO keep the same in good order from year to
year. Then follow these plans and methods
Of procedure, including amounts OF suNs
raised for certain parts ftheir work. They
have trimmed the trees, placed the name Of
the cemetery in the sod Dear the entrance
aud had stones repaired. They have placed
flowers about the court house, had the
| names OF tho streets placed At each corner
and furnished half the fund Tor tho clock on
the court house tower. A park aud pnrklst
have been secured from tho Q. r. X. Co.
Flowers are kept blooming in the Parks.
The railroad park took considerable care TO
/ eep the newly seeded grass from dying out,
full. One plain seat was bought for IL. Four
porch settees woro bought by different orga-
nizatioas and placed in the CITY park. This
proved failure In that they were not made
plain and stationary. Reminds Is 81
ladies doesn't IL! and how the seats were
nearly all ruined.) Four barrels painted
black and the word Refuse" upon them
| were placed on the square to be cared for by
the marshal. This did not prove al they
shals hat been ladies it would have worked
| all right" Also, ''1t has been noticed that our
village has taken more pains with It's lawns
and belongings and the influence of al i'm
proveme ent society has been felt for the good
of the town. They now have tax on ce,no,
care Of all the lots. Some Of their topics for
| consideration are: "Pleasins Church Ser
ro lndings." "Our Parks" "Unsishtly Va
e. At Lots. Fresh Paint, !" "Garbaee Dis.
tion," ''Sidswalks and Parkin in Front OF
Homes, ""Lawns" and Wine and Tree Plant
ing" We are glad to have such good re.
port from close neighbor
CONTINUED ncIt ,veek.)