The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1925-11-19
Permanent Upkeep of Lots
Big Problem of Cemetary Assn.

known as the Old Cemetery This
ground had been used for several years
for burial purposes, my father having
been buried there in 1860.
AS cattle Were permitted to run at
large it was soon found necessary to
enclose the ground with fence.
At meeting of the association held
June 30th, 1856 it was voted to place
a picket fence around the grounds, and
the trustees were directed to cause the
fence to be erectd without delay.
This was the first of a seriees of
mistaks that has left this cemetery in
the background for many years. The
fence when completed was a model Of
it's kind but cost $175.00 and nearly
depleted the treasury. The grass and
brush being permitted to grow up
along the fence, it soon decayed and
became useless.
vided into twenty lots, which were
much too large. The lots were sold
at thirteen dollars a lot and were soon
disposed of leaving the Association
without ground or money.
In 1870 twenty acres Of ground was
purchased adjoining the old cemetery,
for $4,000 the money being raised by
the sale of shares at twelve dollars
each, which was to be the price of lots
after the ground was surveyed.
This is beautiful tract of ground
extending up over the bluff from the
old cemetery, overlooking the southern
part Ol toduk ftdplQS, the county Idlr
grounds and the entire city Of St.
Cloud, where one may sit for hours
with the ever quiet dead watching but
not disturbed by the traffic Of a busy
ing by over the Jefferson Highway,
the movement of trains over the
Northern Pacific and Great Northern
railroads and in the distance see the
tanks and derricks. Evidence of
pub bile or private industries or enter
prises. ~.
1t was very difficult at that time to
obtain information in regard to the
laying out or management of ceme-
terry.
A letter addressed to the secretary
Of a cemetery near New York City
ject. brought a reply Of several pages
but not one word Of practical infor-
nation.
The entire twenty acres was sub
divided into lots and blocks with all
streets and alleys turning at right
angles, instead, of curves to conform
to the contour of the ground.
All lots were conveyed to purchasers
prior to 1924 by straight warranty
deed, except that the use of the lot
was restricted to burial purposes only.
The result has been that each indi-
vidual lot sold has been improved or
fixed up according to the fancy of it's
owner, without regard to uniformity
or future up-keep.
Some are surrounded by concrete or
granite curbing, seldom built on lot
lines with markers and corner stones
projecting above the ground. serious
obstacle to moving. Also monuments
placed wherever fancy dictated and
not always on a good foundation.
The report of the treasurer in 1884.
nineteen years after the organization
showed a balance Of $50 90.
I The price of lots was advanced this
year from twelve to twenty-four dol
lars and in 1915 to fifty dollars, again
in 1922 to 500 90.
We now have over $4,000 90 at in
terest and have spent over $1,000 90
on permanent improvements in the
last two years.
Based on my experience, extending
over period of three generations. 1
believe that every lot sold for less
than 500 90 on which no provision has
been made for permanent upkeep will
ultimately become a burden on the
Many Of our finest lots are occupied
by those who have no relatives,
friends, or representatives in this vi
entity. In fact a large proportion of
the lots sold in the past are in this
condition.
The association mows the grass or
all the Avenues, streets and alleys
over the entire ground but these un-
cared for lots remain blot on the
landscape, overgrown as they are
with grass, weeds and unframed
shrubbery u
Any thinking person can readily see
why it is imperative that cemetery
lots should be sold at a price which
will insure their permanent upkeep.
This article is written with the
earnest wish that the recital of the
struggles and experiences of this as
ISOLATION may prove beneficial and of
some material aid to other small town
cemetery associations that they may
avoid the mistake of our past eXpef-
fences.
(Signed)-W. H. Fletcher.