News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1914-03-04
The Johnson Plot Cemetery

EditOr N elCS ana CttZeh:-
VIII you kindly give us space in YOU
valued paper, to give to the public, a few
facts concerning d project which has re
Gently sprung up in our midst, viz. the
raising of a small fund, to be known az
the johnson Plot Cemetery Fund, the
interest OF which shall be used annually
for the care of our Plot cemetery, which
we regret to say is in neglected cOndi-
ton. As is known to all, a large part OF
the pioneer settlers of our town, sturdy
honest, whole-souled, hard working men
and women, lie here.
Here, too. lie the remains of the Rev.
Joel P. Hayford. who very generously
surrendered his claim to the right of land
granted to the first settled minister, to
selectmen of the town, to be leased by
them in perpetuity, the avais of which
to be applied to the support of the gospel
for all coming time, and which is today
known as our ministerial fund of $751; to
be divided among the churches of the
town. Here, too, the citizens of later
days have one by one been gathered in.
Others, often strangers, have taken their
places, while the upgrOwing generations
have scattered to distant homes, leaving
few, enough interested, to leave their own
labors and do the necessary work re-
quired to keep the old cemetery in re-
spectacle shape.
1t has Ions been a problem to those
who to do for the cemetery, how can we
excite interest enough to secure funds or
labor to make it LOOK more as the resting
place of our loved and respected dead,
should look.
The forming of an association has Of
ten been mentioned but the scarcity of
population and the still greater scarcity
OF young people that would get up, or al
tend, entertainments that would bring in
money, precuded that idea. But quite
recently the idea has sprung into life of
raising fund for the support of it, at
least. as far as the proceeds would 90.
We think no one who has relatives or
even friend buried there, can have
heart to refuse to assist in our plan, a
little more or less, according to ability
and their own hearts desire.
Thus far we have met with every en-
enlargement, AID ready promises of as
sls'ance from almost every one heard
from. But, thinking that some near by
or far away might read of it in our coun-
ty papers, whom we might not reach per-
sohally, we write these facts for publca-
uon. Some one may be glad to know of
chance to render us assistance.
Our wish is 10 raise three hundred dol
lars, perhaps not all just at present, but
as fast as we can get it, until that amount
is realized; and by the way, our respect
ed brother, l.. 5. Griswold, of HYDE
Park proposes TO give the last ten of each
one hundred dollars raised, up to the
third hundred, which would make thirty
dollars, one tenth of the whole. We call
that good promise. A few more as
good would help us out wonderfully, but
even few dollars of one, and few of
another will soon count up. 1t is not to
be expected that our interest will amount
to very much during the coming working
season, but by next year will have some
to use.
ANY one not receiving special invita-
ton and still wishing to add their mite.
may remit their offering to Mr.. or Mrs,
b. L. Ober. No sum however small Tor
large) will be refused. Some may help
to the extent of one dollar, that could
not help five or more. All will be grate-
fully received and faithfully used for the
purpose named.
Whatever amount we receive before
Apr. LIST will be deposited in the bank
where the interest will be accruing while
we sleep, but offerings coming later will
be just as truly appreciated. We like to
know what each one intends to do, so as
to realize something how the work is
progressing. We do not wish to be one
of those who, putting their hand to the
pillow, Iookback. We must make a sue
cess of our undertaking, but it all de-
ponds on the generosity of those from
whom we solicit aid.
1t may not be out of place to say that
we hope, when our fund has been raised,
that the town will take it on the same
terms that they have the Whiting and
Hill fund, but as catching comes before
hanging, so the raising of our fund must
come before the later disposal of it.
With high hopes for the success of our
venture.
johnson, Vt. Mrs. B. t. OBER.