The Pensacola journal., 1908-11-22
or ST. JOHNS GENE
Terry WHICH WAS WRITTEN BY
HON. w. z. ANDERSON A FEW
HOURS PRIOR TO HIS DEATH,
AND WHICH WILL BE PLACED IN
THE CORNER STONE.

AImOSl the ldSI dCL VI I1OH w Il
Anderson, who recently passed away,
was to write a history of st. John S
cemetery for Escambia lodge No. IS,
of which he was historian. This his
tory is to be placed in the corner
stone this afternoon, and ii was with
such intention that ne was requested
by the lodge to write it.
Mr.. Anderson completed the history
about 5 o'clock in the afternoon prior
to his death. Upon finishing it he left
his Office, never to return.
Mr.. Anderson was possibly the best
posted man in the city on the history
of the cemetery, being the chairman
Of the first committee appointed by
the lodge 80 years ago to have charge
Of the burying place The history of
the cemetery as written by him, is as
follows:
In 1876 the only burial place in Pen
sacola was old ST. Michael's cemetery,
being the south half of the present en-
closure. This had become so crowded
that the opening of a new cemetery
became self-evident and urgent ne
cessity. As no one else would move
in the matter, Escambia lodge took il
into consideration and the matter was
fully discussed in the lodge, on the
9Th day of March, 1876, as appears
from the lodge records.
"On motion the following commit
tee was appointed to take into conSid-
Grafton the matter of a cemetery, to-
wit: Brothers Lee, Wentworth and
Hutchinson" On April 3rd this COM
mittee reported favorably as TO the
undertaking, and recommended the
purchase OF the ground now occupied,
Of which they had secured a refusal.
The report was approved by the lodge
and the committee given authority to
act. Ten blocks OF ground were pur-
chased, by then bounded on the east
by G. street, on the west by L street,
on the north by Howell street, and on
the south by Simpson street. This
gives an area of twenty acres clear
of the streets. The ground was at
once cleared, fenced, surveyed and
plotted and opened to the public. On
opening st. Johns cemetery, the lodge
issued and published the following ad-
dress:
I'm opening st. Johns cemetery to
the public, we deem it proper to make
a brief explanation of the motives and
plans of those who have been moving
in the matter and to recite briefly the
system OF management under which il
will be conducted. In common with
other citizens, we have for years past
realized the urgent necessity for a
new cemetery TO meet the needs OF
our growing community, and as an or
ganized body having within itself the
elements of perpetHity,~ Escambfa
Lodge No. 10, T. & A. NJ. has moved
in this matter for the public welfare.
We have purchased, cleared and en-
closed twenty acres of ground most
situated on the west side
of the city, and in every way adapt
ed for the purpose 1t has been plant
ed with grass and at the proper sea-
son we propose to set out a large
of trees. 1t is our purpose to
keep a competent and careful man
upon the ground all the time and to
furnish from time to time such addi-
tional labor as may be needed to keep
everything in good condition and to
make such further improvements as
may be expedient. we propose to
open the street leading 10 the ceme-
terry and to make a substantial side
walk so that it may be conveniently
reached on foot. In short ii is our de-
sire and intention to make this by de-
grees an attractive and beautiful spot,
an ornament to the city and a fit rest
ing place for the beloved dead: and
in endeayoring to effect this we feel
that we respond to the wishes of the
and have their entire SYM
pathy. The ground has been laid OF
IN lots, each large enough for ten
graves. These have been priced ac-
cordins to the location and are now
open for purchase. The funds which
viii be realized from the sale of lots
will be applied first to the repayment
Of the cost of the property and such
.Urther Improvement as we wish to
make promptly. Secondly to the Gre
alton of fund which will be invested
50 as to yield a perpetual revenue;
which revenue is to be used in keep
ng up the fence and grounds and
paying all the necessary expenses as !
hey arise. Should there be any sur
olus in this revenue so made it will |
De expended in charity. Neither Es- |
Gambia lodge as body nor any mem !
Der OF ii has any sordid interest in |
he matter or is TO be pecuniariiy bene- |
ltted in any way. The management !
# the cemetery is in the hands of a |