The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1925-11-19

The permanent upkeep of ceme-
teries in every community is a cues
ton of paramount Importance. When
communities are young the plot for
burying the remains of loved ones is
not given the careful consideration
that its Importance warrants.
AS time goes on the survivors scat
ter and the bdrying plats go into de-
cline as provisions for the permanent
upkeep was not provided for when
the cemetery is laid out.
Herald readers will recall that 6
few months ago money was raised b!
ly beautiful Oakland cemetery in thu
condition that it should be.
The trustees and officers of Green.
wood cemetery will avoid this con.
dition by arranging for the perman-
ent upkeep of all lots. Sixty dol
lars will be added to the purchase
price and the earning from this
amount will provide for permanent
upkeep. Under the state law regu-
lating cemeteries this money must
be invested in National, State or
municipal banks or first real estate
mortgages.
The following paper read at the
meeting of the Minnesota State Gem
etery Association at St. Cloud, Aug.
IA, 1925, by w. F. Fletcher of Sank
Rapids, so clearly outlines the diff
culties confronting the average GEM
etery association that the Herald
publishes the same in full believing
hot ha ~
structive to many of its readers:
THE last resting place of our
loved ones when they forever closed
their eyes to us and all earthly scenes,
Is subject of deep interest to us all.
We must lay them away forever and
we want the place and all concerning
1t fitting and suitable
Brooks, died for his country, shortly
der" We quote from it. Nv "
IF I should die, think only this of
That there's some corner of a foreign
That is forever England. There shall
In that rich earth, a richer dust con-
The same thought applies to our
own beloved dead wherever their bur-
ial places may be. Our cemeteries
therefore are consecrated spots in our
forever AFTER committing our
dear ones to it's soil.
1t is generally known that Sank
Rapids is one Of the older towns of
our State and until the organization
citation, it had no especial place for
burial purposes. 1nterments were
frequently made in the yard or on lots
or property owned by the bereaved
family or their friends.
The older residents easily recall the
numerous places in and about the viii
1age where a few white stones or rude
fence betrayed a little grave yard.
The burial of transientS was often
made on the public domain, a mound
of earth or a wooden cross indicating
where some one unknown, had been
committed to Mother Earth.
AS the village population increased
1t became necessary to obtain and hold
for burial purposes suitable location
In July 1855 Dan. H Miller, Geo.
Goodhue, w. B. Luther, W. j. Hicks,
Ellis King, E; S; Hall, Robert Bour,
W. H. Fletcher met by appointment
at the house of J. C. Hicks in Sank
Rapids and organized the Benton Coun-
ty Cemetery Association, under the
existing laws of the state. (The writ
er being the only survivor of the orig
inal ten incorporators)
Three trustees was the number fixed
upon to manage the affairs Of the as
ISOLATION. Rev. Sherman Hall was chos-
en- and classified to serve for three
years. w. B. Luther to serve for two
years and Geo. Goodhue to serve for
one year.
The trustees met at the house Of
Sherman Hall May 7th 1856 and chose
Geo. Goodhue to act as President of
the Association and Sherman Hall to
act as Secretary and Actuary.
On May 3trd 1866, the Association
acquired by deed from r. D. Lancast-
er, for consideration of $4,000 a
strip of land IS by 12O feet now