The Washington times., 1904-02-27
REMOVAL OF VASES
CAUSES FRICTION
High-Handed Action in
Rock Greek Cemetery.
TOOK PROPERTY OFF GRAVES
Suit May Be Brought to Test Au-
thority of Trustees in the
Premises.

Smarting under what they claim was
"a ruthless act fn the removal and de-
structiou Of ornaments en- someI OF the
graves in Rock Creek Cemetery, hold
ers of lots in that burial ground who
objected TO this procedure by the
trustees are consulting legal counsel
with a view Of bringing suit for pro-
lection in the future
The removal Of the grave ornaments
occurred some weeks ago. when the ex-
ecutve committee charged with the care
OF the cemetery, issued "A sweeping or
der to have all decorations Of graves.
except those coming under the pro-
visions OF the deed Of title as GENE
tery vases removed. On a large num-
Der Of graves there were glass vases.
many of them OF great value. and also
adornments not strictly in compliance
with the rules drawn up by the com
mittee. Most Of the lot holders had
no idea such a rule would be enforced
and when some Of them on visiting the
cemetery found their possessions taken
or the graves and piled in a heap thev
raised storm Of protest
Belongs to Parish.
BY the charter under which the Rock
Creek Cemetery is governed its affairs
are solely I'm charge Of the vestrv Of tho
Rock Creek Episcopal parish. This
vcstry has authority to receive pay-
ments for lots and 20 make rules re-
lating TO their care, but It Is the claim
OF those who talk Of bringing suit thar
the vestry. or the committee which is
their executive head. exceeded its au>
thority when IT undertook to remove.
glass vases which those who haf paid
for their lots put there as a matter Of
preference I'm decorating the graves. Ar
the time the order was put into effect
there were scenes Of considerable OK
citement about the graveyard.
Mrs. Lackey, who happened TO be in
her burial lot fixing flowers when the
workmen came TO insist on the remova,
Of certain objects decorating the grave
there, made a vigorous protest. anc
upon the men attempting to carry the
decorations off in spite OF her she rails
ed a rake which she held in her hand
and defieG them 10 come near the ground
on which she stood. Mrs. Lackey, IT is
said. carried her point and keeps the
grave as she wants IT,
Another indignant lot owner was Nc
Lain Brashear, Of 635 Louisiana Avenue.
who. on going TO the cemetery one day.
found that glass vase which he kept
filed with flowers on q family grave had
been removed. He made a search and
found #. he says. on a dump heap. Mr.
Brashear dCterminedly put the glass
vase back upon the grave. and to a
member u the cemetery executive com
mittee whom he met later ne expressed
his Indignation and defied him 10 enforce.
the act. Mr. Brashear says he stlH has
the vase where he wants H.
A Similar Case.
A case OF somewhat similar nature
was that Of a son Of NJ L. Moudv. OF
t59 Q Street northwest. FORMER sexton
of the church. from whose lot some
bric-a-brac was removed. Mr. Moudy 4
one Of those who talks Of bringing suit
TO test the rights OF the committee in
the matter
On the other hand. the trustees Of the
cemetery claim they were acting en-
tirely within their rights when they re-
moved the decorations. They point to
the following rule adopted at a meeting
OF the church vestry two years ago. Of
which due notice was given 90 the lot
holders:
Lot owners are prohibited from plac-
ing on lots or graves all toys. boxes.
globes, pots, shells. cans. bottles. and
bric-a-brac Of every description, except
CONTINUED on Tenth Page.)