Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1904-06-04
Cemetery Improvement Association.

Cemetery Improvement Association.
Editor Tribune: Having recently
visited the Catholic cemetery in this
city. I was more than ever impressed
with the grandeur and beauty of that
magnificent landscape Of hill and plain
and town and river that lies stretched
out in the foreground-a scene of de-
light to the artist, and of rapture to
the lover of nature who surveys it's
charming outlines from the view
point of cemetery hill. But in sad
contrast to that scene of beauty is
the neglected appearance of the
graves and burial lots in the cemetery.
This is not because of the lack of in
terest in those who have friends
buried there-but because trees and
shrubs, and flowers which are essenti-
al to the beauty of burial place will
not grow without water, for which
there are now no facilities on the hill.
It has always been a characteristic of
civilized nations to adorn and beautify
the burial places of the dead. Even
savages revere their ancestors and
their instincts during their early &C.
cupancy Of Dakota led them to con-
struct scaffolds to preserve the re-
mains of the dead from the ravages
of wild beasts. The white men who
succeeded them being further ad-
vanced in civilization and the arts of
peace, attempt more than that. They
construct cemeteries for the preserva-
tion of the remains of the departed
friends and seek to make beautiful
and attractive the last resting place
of loved ones gone before. In Bis
marck the desire is not wanting. It
is defeated by the lack of means. The
first settlers of Bismarck made futile
attempts in the early years to adorn
their town lots with trees, and to grow
shrubs and flowers. Years of trial
and expense showed that such efforts
were useless without water facilities
It was not until a system of water
works was established that Bismarck
took ON the beautiful appearance it
now presents with homes hidden in
SYLVAN groves, public grounds adorned
with shrs1bbery and thoroughfares
bordered with forest trees.
Public interest in all communities
oenters in the town cemetery. The
desire that It shall be place of beau
ty, inviting to rest and meditation is
universal. The most beautiful places
in the world are cemeteries. I recall
Arlington and the cemetery at Frank
fort, Kentucky, where lie buried
Henry Clay, with Daniel Boone and
others OF Kentueky's great men. Here
the interlacing branches of tall forest
trees high overhead shut out the sun.
light and from a vast green cathedral
where the leaves whisper AMI the
birds sing softly, and where one can
happily spend hours in rest and de.
votion.
Given the adjunct of trees and
flowers the Bismarck cemetery will
soon be in unison with the tree
bordered river. and the foresr en-
powered city in the foreground. To
effect this by providing water is possi-
bic. The fine lot of Amos Robidou
shows that the soil will readily
respond to moisture. The people OF
Bismarck with their known public in
terest in all that benefits the city
should make this spot one of the most
attractive in this vicinity.
l have Information that Rev. Father
Clement, the excellent paster of st.
Mary's church, who is ever public
spirited and devoted to the interests
OF the people OF the city, is most de-
sdrous that this cemetery should be
improved and made beautiful, and
that he has a plan, which with the CO
operation of the people of Bismarck,
who are interested in the matter. can
be made effective and will encompass
the desired result. l would suggest
therefore, that the gentlemen in the
city who are interested in improving
the cemetery. grounds meet with
Father Clement at his house and form
a Cemetery Improvement Associa-
ton" and bring the power of co-opera-
ton and concerted effort to the
furtherance OF this good cause.
LINDA w. SLAUGHTER.
Bismarck, N. D., June 2, 1904. -
Startling Facts About Fourth Of July
IL 5sss Casualties. =
An investigation carried on by the
Journal OF the American Medical asso.
citation relative to Fourth of July acct
dents developed the following facts: