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

nues in the Cemetery-One Bein:
Macadamized at the Present Time.
Since the dawn of Christianity, in
every civilized country, the cities of
the dead are among the most beauti-
full spots to be found. The G1iet
country church yard is kept in order
by the hands of those VINO have loved
ones laid to rest there, and thus it is
in smaller towns, but in h larger
cities ~endowmentS are created lnsur-
ing that the lots Of those who cOntr1-
butte to this fund will always be kept
in perfect order; and thus it has been
that in nearly every city of any size
the cemeteries are we'll kept and many
of them beautiful.
One may look the south over, and
many parts of the union, and find no
more beautiful city of the dead than
lovely Oakdale. With its beautiful ave
nues, growth Of magnificent trees, all
draped with the southern gray moss,
the place is indeed lovely. For more
than forty years. the skill of Superin-
tendent Timothy DOMAIN has been lent
in making the place beautiful and his
chief pride is in making Oakdale not
only equal to other cemeteries i'll the
country in beauty, but in placing it
at h top and causing all who visit
the beautiful spot to admire the skill
Of the landscape gardener who was
capable of converting the place into
one of such loneliness. Mr.. Donlan
Is a member of the Association Of
Parks and Cemetery Superintendent.
Since 1886 and has attended four Of
their conventions. This organization
is composed Of men from all over the
United States and Canada who make
a study of different branches of i'm
provement, and al their conventions,
which are held each year in different
cities, different subjects of i'm
provement are discussed, and the
proceedings are published in PAM
, phlet form. Mr.. DOMAIN has attend
ed several of these conventions, and
is always greatly benefited " the
exchange of ideas of over 200 mem
gers.
Early in the sos there were fully a
half dozen different burying grounds
in the town of Wilmington, each de-
nomination having it's own burying
ground, and after Oakdale cemetery
was opened, which was in February
SO. all Of these places of burial were
abandoned and most of the bodies re-
moved to Oakdale. Oakdale cemetery
is owned by the lot and gov
-erned by a president and six directors
who are elected by the lot at
their annual meeting in January of
each year. Mr.. Jas. G.. Stevenson,
who has served since 1893, is the
seventh president, five of whom are
now lying in that beautiful spot, who
during life took such great pride in
seeing it beautiied. Mr.. Richard J.
Jones, the venerable secretary and
treasurer who has served 70 faithfully
since 1867, we hope may be spared
for many more years.
The first superintendent was Mr..
Charles Quigley, who died of yellow
fever in 1862. Superintendent Don-
Ian was elected to the present position
in 1862.
The entrance of Oakdale Cemetery
was on the south, and was reached
by going out Market Street to 10TH
st. and through what was known as
the old race track. The present en-
trance is on 18th and Miller street.
Scarcely any improvement of note
was made in the first few years, each
lot owner choosing some eleva-
ton or knowl. and having the same
improved according to his own ideas.
In '66 Supt. Donlan expressed a de-
sire to the board of opening and grad
ing one or more sections at the time
so as to add to the general beauty of
b grounds which suggestion was
approved by the board and which has
given general satisfaction. The gen
eral improvement of the avenue and
drive-ways commended in 80 and
still continues. At the present time
Oakdale has as fine m~acadamized av-
senues and drives as any cemetery in
the United States and the system OF
drainage used, surface and deep drain
age, is the best used in any cemetery
or park in the United States. At the
convention of superintendent held
in Richmond 1895. Mr. Donlan was
highly complimented on the roadway
and drainage system which he use6
in Oakdale as being the best in use a
that time and is still regarded as such
In 1870 the endowment plan wa:
adopted for the perpetual care of lot.
the owner pays a certain amount OF
money, which is invested by a board
of trustees. the income from which il
applied to the care of such lots. Thii
plan has worked satisfactorily and i