The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1916-06-01
EMMETT CEMETERY IS
A DISGRACE
A Correspondents Tells of COndi-
tiOns With Which All
Are Familiar

Those who attended the beautiful
Decoration Day ceremonies at the En-
nett cemetery Tuesday will undoubt-
edly have the same feelings as the
writer of the communication printed
below expresses-that the cemetery
grounds, barren and ill-kept, are a
disgrace to the community. This feel
ing was expressed to the editor of The
Index by many persons on the grounds
Tuesday, and the question was invar-
iably asked, "Why are conditions as
they are?" "Can't something be done
to change them?"
Many good people of this city have
used every endeavor for many years to
change conditions, but without avail.
The late Fred Bliss was particularly
active and fund was raised as
nucleus to improve the grounds. That
fund is still being held for that pur-
pose. The obstacle that has stood
in the way and has blocked every at
tempt to amalgamate all interests so
that one common purpose might be
followed-the systematic improve
ment of the grounds-has had neither
reason nor excuse for existing. We are
pleased to print the following article,
because it opens up new ideas and
reveals a mothers heart in the elo-
,quent and earnest plea for the beau
tifying of the sacred city of the dead:
Z. "We have lived here two year dur
ing which time we have not been in
the cemetery and have seen it at a
distance only in passing. Last even
ing the children wanted to see what
was done on Decoration Day, so we
drove down to let them see how the
day is observed. We, as parents, do
not shrink from speaking of our rela
tives or friends who are in heaven, and
we do not want the children to have
any horrors or fears about death or
their eternal life. If our last sleep is
beautiful, and we all believe it is,
wouldn't it be more fitting to take
this long rest in beautiful surround
ings?
81 had not more than reached the
gate before l wished we had not come.
My eyes and thoughts now diverted to
the children to watch their faces and
near their comments. There are no
paths or walks to direct ones steps,
so no one can be blamed for stepping
on an unmarked grave. Their faces
would brighten at the sight of flowers
and the flags, but more often:
"O, Mamma, there are so many
little baby graves without any name.
"Why is it so dry and weedy.
These prickly weeds get in my stock |
ings.'
"We would read the names on some
of the stones on graves, that had re- I
ceived some care and attention and the
older girl would exclaim: % isn't that
pretty? I'm so glad '
"Be careful children, there are '
three little sunken graves back of I
you, don't step on them and among i
the dry grass they saw them marked t
with sticks. +
"From the boy, Mamma, were these 7
babies as sweet as our baby? Where /
are the mother and father? Can't we
put some flowers on them?'
81 fear my explanations of the neg il
ect and indifference were not under o
stood by their sympathetic and sad S
lened minds. Some have done what h
hey could, under the conditions, to 1
make the resting place of their loved v
ones attractive, but the atmosphere of S
he whole place is one of neglect. G
Zone afternoon l drove into town, Il
aking visiting friends to the train. S
lie remarked on the cemetery, its lack "
If trees and look of neglect. Think O
ng minute, he added, Doesn't it
ook to you as though the people were
allous to allow their cemetery to
COX like that?' b
"Well, we rode home sober, sad n
ened family. As the children were p
-oing to bed, one of them said: Nam b
ma, if l should died would you bury D
ne there?' 1 replied quickly and ci
heerfully: No, indeed, we would find
he loveliest spot we could, all green
Nth grass and trees and lovely ce
overs They were soon asleep, but f,
spent troubled, sleepless night. q,
"This morning the boy said, Nam 81
Ia, sometime this summer can't we gi
AXE some flowers and put them on al
lose little sunken, forgotten baby 10
raves?' Yes, indeed, we will in
Some of you who are tired and or
reary, does it rest you and give you in