The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-02-06

ID lOpCu Thai III LIZ ALa4 Oil
lot owners will adopt the plan as it
would insure their lots being kept in
order. Superintendent Donlan called
our attention to a number Of neglect
ed lots and expressed his sorrow at
such being the 81 and said 'how
soon we are forgotten
I'm 90 the frame building known
as the lodge" was burned down and
after considerable opposition the pres
ent handsome structure was erected.
After the building was completed
those who opposed the expenditure re-
GREETED having done SO, as it is in
keeping with the beauty Of the sur
r~oundings.
Up to three years ago the entrance
to the cemetery was over a wooden
the creek was also changed to the
westward about one hundred feet, a
stone culvert was built, which takes
the place of the wooden structure.
and a handsome granite stone curb
ing placed along either side of the
drive. The gates were moved from
their old position to this bridge and
one block of granite added to each
pillar which had not been completed
before. A handsome arch WAS also
added, with the name "Oakdale Gem
etery" ON either side. To right and
left of. the entrance, which was once
a pond of stagnated mud and water,
and a mosquito bed, is now a beauti-
full green park like lawn, studded over
with beautiful trees and shrubs. This
&c. o.o - tho nocf cf,~frino ;nanvnya-
ments made, and has caused express
sions of general satisfaction and ad-
miration.
"Dou you notice." said Superinten-
dent Donlan, 1.-The life size figure on
yonder mound? That is q statue Of
a Confederate soldier, in the enclosure
lie the remains of the Confederate
dead who did own lots, and were
moved to the plat by the Ladies Me-
mortal Association. Memorial SER
vices are held there on the 10th of
of May, each year, and the graves are
decorated by the loving hands of the
members of the Ladies s1emorial As
ISOLATION and Daughters of the Con-
federacy.
In the course of our conversation,
we asked Mr.. Donlan what about the
new improvements heard so much
about. Lately the cemetary company
has acquired by donation and pur-
chase from the MacRae family, a strip
of land from the present entrance to
Bay street ON the west, and running
south along the line Of Bay street to
corner of the cemetery fence, which
is about a half square, and north
along the line of Bay street to Fan
ming, from thence to Moore street. It
is intended to clear up this swamp
and continue the canal, and when
completed will somewhat correspond
with the improvement recently made
a the entrance. The fencing will
be removed along the line of Bay
street which will enclose all the
swamp, which is now a nuisance and
Is used as a hunting ground.
Il do not hesitate to state" said
MI. Donlan, that this will be only the
commencement of an Improvement
which will be continued in the course
of time to the north and east of the
cemetery grounds, which will be made
a continual lake. On the north and
east of Oakdale tide water surrounds
three sides, with all the advantages of
identifying which may be desired, but
with all the natural advantages, still
it requires some skilled mind to per-
feet it's beauty. AS you walk around
have you noticed the vfoIets, the Cam
Japonica of different shades in
full bloom in the month of January,
last month we had roses in bloom.
We have the finest variety of shrub
berry ON thcse grounds of any in the
country. Nature and climate have
it all with a little assistance.
LAS / walk through the groves Mr..
Donlan said, as he concluded giving
b data regarding the cemetery,
Il often think of a verse found in the
works of Thomas Jackson Downing.
the great landscape gardner, who was
his time the great advocate of
parks and cemeteries" And
reaching to the top of his desk, he
took down the volume that is always
by him and which he consu1ts on all
occasions and read the following:
But the stranger who enters the
depths of this dusky route, is not long
inclined to remain here and his
is excited by the not very
distant sound of waterfalls
above, below aerial mur1ners swell
From hanging wood, from heath and
bushy dell
A thousand gushing riIls, that shun
the light
Stealing like music ON the ear of
Night"