Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1913-07-03
THE 20 ST VAULT
viii Be Completed Within One Mont b
According To Contractors

lhe Post vault, which has been
under construction in Riverside GEM
etery for some time is nearing COM
pletion, thirty days at the most be-
ing the time required to finish the
work. This statement was made this
week by the contractors.
For several years the proposition
for the city to erect a vault has re-
ceiyed favorable criticism but the
matter has never been taken up di-
rectly with the city fathers, and as a
result Alma has been lacking a dire
necessity. A year or so ago follow
ing the enthusiasm created by the
members of the Civic league over the
vault idea, Mrs Eliza Post made the
statement that she intended erecting
a private vault Mrs Post was ap-
preached upon the subject and a gift
OF $4,000 was donated to the city,
which in turn should have complete
charge of the construction. The
giver asked permission to retain two
racks in the vault, one for her hus-
band and the other for herself. Mrs.
Posts requests were complied with
and the city commenced operations
at once. While Mrs Post has re-
linquished all responsibility over the
matter she has been consulted often
relative 10 the arrangement and de-
tails, and has been a frequent visitor
during the course Of construction.
The Post vault is something new
in this line OF construction work. II
IS a two-compartment structure. 2Ox2O
feet in dimensions. and is built of
cobble stone of remarkable regularity.
The chapel occupies the upper apart
ment while the vault proper is sit
uated directly beneath it. Both are
similar in size. Large retaining walls,
also constructed Of cobble stone. have
been built extending outward in
an angling direction from the front
corners OF the vault. While these
walls are merely for protection from
falling banks the arrangement is very
attractive. The space between the
two retaining walls will be cemented.
Entrance to the vault is made either
at the east side into the chapel, or
through door leading directly into
the vault proper Drive ways lead
to both entrances The chapel will
be finished in white plaster and light
wood. AT one end of the room there
is an opening leading to the lower
apartment through which the caskets
will be lowered to the receiving rack
by a mechanical device. Regular
chapel seats will be installed later.
The vault proper is divided into
two sections, the Post section occupy
ing one and the other TO be utilized
by the city. Two private racks have
been set aside for the use of the
family, while space has been left
for the installation of the family
monument. The receiving rack is
sx 1917 feet and will accommodate
eighteen. The vault will be finished
in plain white plaster the same as
that in the chapel
The cost of erecting the vault as
stipulated in the contract with Mrs.
Post is not to exceed $4,000, but ac-
cording TO a recent statement given
with authority it will pass this amount
sllSntly.
The situation of the vault is in the
center Of the cemetery and holds a
very commanding position. 1t is built
into the side of small hill and is
overshadowed by large maple trees.
During the past year the cemetery
has been materially beautifed by the
addition OF several monuments and
statues. The most attractive of these
are the two statues erected recently
upon the Kimball lot. The two
statues are both carved out of solid
granite and rest on bases of pure
Bedford marble. They are life size
and are perfect reproduction of the
original Mr. Kimball is still living
but his wife has been dead for many
years. The cost of these two statues
approaches $4,000 The work was
done by Italian sculptors.