\ V Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2018 with funding from Getty Research Institute https://archive.org/details/alleghenycemeterOOunse j/i ALLEGHENY CEMETERY:^ lJZ£sr HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF INCIDENTS AND EVENTS CONNECTED WITH ITS ESTAB¬ LISHMENT. Charter anb Supplemental ^cts of f egislation. REPORTS OF 1848 AND 1857. PROCEEDINGS OF CORPORATORS, JUNE 21, 1873. $ute£, §Uflulati0tti8i t &r. LIST OF OFFICERS, MANAGERS AND CORPORATORS TO DATE. JUemarfe on ilie ®rnamentation and Jtarangement of Cemeteries. FUNERAL ORATION OF WILSON McCANDLESS, Esq. ON COMMODORE BARNEY AND LIEUT. PARKER. ILLUSTRATED WITH SIXTEEN PHOTOGRAPHIC VIEWS. PITTSBURGH: PRINTED BY BAKEWELL MARTHENS. 1873. “If there he one object more material, more revolting, more gloomy than another, it is a crowded church yard in a city. It has neither sympathy nor memory. The pressed down stones lie heavy upon the very heart. The sunshine cannot get to them for smoke. There is a crowd, and, like most crowds, there is no companionship. Sympathy is the softener of death; and memory of the loved and lost is the earthly shadow of their immortality. “I pray thee, lay me not to rest Among these mouldering bones; Too heavily the earth is prest By all these crowded stones.” Miss Landon’s City Church Yard. REVISED LIST OF CORPORATORS. The present revised list of Corporators is composed of the following persons: ELECTED. ELECTED. Thomas M. Howe, 1844. James Park, Jr., 1858. John H. Shoenberger, “ Samuel Eea, a Wilson McCandless, “ William Thaw, 1863. James E. Speer, “ Alexander Bradley, 1865. Thomas J. Bigham, “ J. H. Lynch, 1867. Harvey Childs, “ James B. Murray, u Jacob Painter, “ Francis Sellers, u Eobert Beer, “ Henry W. Williams, a Eobert S. Cassatt, “ John Chislett, Jr., 1869. John D. McCord, “ George W. Cass, (C Jesse Carothers, 1845. William K. Mmick, u William Holmes, “ Charles Hays, a Charles F. Spang, “ Josiah King, resigned Charles Bradford, “ in 1845, re-elected 1873. Alfred Culbertson, u John Harper, u Samuel Bailey, 1850. Springer Harbaugh, a William Bagaley, “ E. P. Jones, u J. K. Moorhead, Charles J. Clark, a PREFACE. The historical paper referred to in the resolution of the Managers passed October 31, 1872 (p. vii), should have been published some months since, but it haying been determined to accompany it % with photographic yiews of a few of the great number of elegant and tasteful monuments and improve¬ ments which ornament the grounds, and the very unfavorable weather of the last winter haying ren¬ dered it impossible to complete this work as early as it was expected, it was at length concluded to defer the publication until after the annual meeting of Corporators, and to embody with it the proceedings of that meeting, and a variety of other documents and articles relating to the subject, which, it is hoped, will not be without interest to the reader. From information received since the historical account was written, it appears that a few of the statements it contains are not correct. Judge John M. Snowden and his intelligent and excellent wife, who survived him but a few years, 1 11 Preface. are not buried in the Allegheny Cemetery. They are both interred four miles south of the Mononga- hela river, in the grave-yard attached to Concord Church, which was founded by him, and for a num¬ ber of years sustained by his special exertions. E. W. Stephens, of New Castle, whose name ap¬ pears on the list of original corporators as still living, died within the last year, and is interred in the Alle¬ gheny Cemetery. Dr. Wm. McK. Morgan is buried in the Ceme¬ tery, though his name is omitted in the paragraph referring to deceased physicians of the city, the writer having been incorrectly informed that his re¬ mains had been removed to Washington county for interment. The photographic views are pronounced by com¬ petent judges to be fine specimens of the art. INDEX. Page. Annual Meeting of Corporators, June 21, 1873, v Historical Account of Incidents and Events RELATING TO THE ALLEGHENY CEMETERY, . . 9 Charter,.49 Supplemental Acts of Legislation, . . .53 Report of Managers of 1848, . . . . 62 Report of Managers of 1857, . . . .77 Report of Superintendent, . . . . 88 Description of New Office Buildings, . .93 Description of Receiving Vault,, ... 98 Marble Tablet in Reception Room, . . . 102 Original Corporators,. 103 Deceased Corporators, and New Members Elected to fill Vacancies, . . . .101 List of Officers and Managers from 1844 to 1873,. 106 Rules and Regulations for Lot-holders, . 114 Rules and Regulations for Visitors, . . 117 Rules in Regard to Interments, . . .119 Suggestions in Regard to Improvements, . 121 Table of Estimated Expenditures by Lot- holders, for Monuments, &c., on Private Lots, 123 Table of Annual Interments from 1845 to June 1, 1873,. 124 IV Index. Page. Nursery Department, Report of D. Woods, . 126 Heirship of Lots,.130 Form of Deed to Purchaser of Lot, . . 133 Form of Deed of Trust or Reconveyance to Cemetery, ..135 Form of Bequest to Endowment Fund, . . 136 Statistics required on Application for Burial, 138 Form of Order for Interment, . . .138 The Ornamentation and Arrangement of Cem¬ eteries, ..139 Funeral Oration, . . . . . .152 PROCEEDINGS OF ANNUAL MEETING or THE Corporators of Allegheny Cemetery, JUNE 21, 1873. Due notice having been given, the annual meeting of Corporators was held at the new office buildings of the Company, on the grounds. On motion of Gen. Howe, the Hon. T. J. Bigham, who was an original Corporator and Secretary of the first Board of Managers in 1844 and 1845, was called to the chair. The minutes of the last annual meeting were read and approved. After consultation in regard to the general inter¬ ests of the Cemetery, and the reading of the annual reports, an election was held for seven Managers to serve for the ensuing year, when it was found that the following named persons were duly elected: VI Annual Meeting. Thomas M. Howe, President , John H. Shoenberger, Wilson McCandless, James R. Speer, J. K. Moorhead, William Thaw, William Holmes. James R. Speer, Secretary and Treasurer. The following persons were also elected to fill va¬ cancies in the Board of Corporators : John Harper, E. P. Jones, Josiah King, Springer Harbaugh, Chas. J. Clark. At the close of the meeting an interesting address was delivered by the chairman, in relation to the affairs of the institution, in which he adverted to the active part he had taken in initiating the enterprise, aud the deep interest and pleasure he felt in witness¬ ing its success and continued prosperity up to the present time. The address has since been published in the Pitts¬ burgh Gazette of July 1st, and will richly repay pe¬ rusal. Resolution. Yll RESOLUTION OF BOARD OF MANAGERS. At a meeting of the Managers of the Allegheny Cenrtetery, held October 31,1872, Dr. J. R. Speer read a Historical Essay, in which were embodied for preservation, many interesting facts connected with the early history of the Allegheny Cem¬ etery, gathered from old records and from his own recollec¬ tion; whereupon, it was Resolved , That the paper just read by Dr. Speer be pub¬ lished in suitable form, when prepared for the press by its author, and that the President be requested to advise as to the shape in which the publication shall be made. SUMMARY OF HISTORICAL ACCOUNT. Efforts to found a Rural Cemetery in the vicinity of Pitts¬ burgh commenced as early as 1834. The era of Rural Cemeteries. Mount Auburn, at Boston, opened in 1831. The conception of a Rural Cemetery traced to ancient times. Description of the field of Hebron and the cave of Mach- pelah. Correspondence with Stephen Colwell, Esq., in 1842. Record of Public Meetings in 1844, to promote the object. Brief Synopsis of Charter, and comments on its leading features. Explanation of objects and purposes of founders fully ex¬ plained in the Resolution of T. M. Howe, and unani¬ mously adopted by the Board of Managers, Sept. 20, 1845. Manner in which funds of the Company are invested and expended. Permanent, Endowment, and Improvement Funds. Description of the grounds, their beauty and fitness to the purpose. Important results already accomplished by the Company. Tribute of respect to the memory of the worthy dead. SYLVAN LAKE HISTORICAL ACCOUNT. No extended report having been made for several years, relating to the affairs of the Allegheny Cemetery, the present seems to furnish a suitable occasion to give to the public some information, not only in regard to their condition at this time, but to take a brief retro¬ spect of the early history of the enterprise, and to pluck from the stream of time, before they have floated beyond the view of those now living, a few facts and incidents which may be of interest in after time. This seems to be the more desirable, as all the records and papers relating to the proceedings of the company previous to the 10th of April, 1845, were destroyed in the office of Richard Biddle, Esq., by the great fire which occurred on that day. The first meeting of the corporation after that date was held in the Board of Trade rooms, May 30, 1845. In order to give more distinctness to the narrative 2 10 The Allegheny Cemetery. of such events and facts as may be deemed worthy of notice, we propose to arrange them in the following order: Those occurring previous to the date of charter, a period of ten years; those occurring from that time to date of Report of 1857, a period of thirteen years ; and those occurring from 1857 to the present time, a period of sixteen years. Those relating more especially to the organization of the company, the purchase of the grounds, plans for raising funds to meet payments, their dedication, first sale of lots, and other important matters of that date, are detailed in the Report presented by Gen. Howe, in June, 1848, which will he perpetuated in the records of the com¬ pany, and treasured as an interesting recital of its early struggles and complete success. The first and third periods will therefore furnish the chief subjects for this communication. In a note appended to the Report of 1848 it is stated that as early as 1834 an attempt had been made by Dr. J. R. Speer, Stephen Colwell and John Chislett, Esqs., to establish a rural cemetery in this neighborhood. The three persons named were con¬ nected at that time with the Third Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh, of which Dr. D. H. Riddle was pastor, and the congregation not having procured a burying ground, their attention was drawn to the subject, and it was proposed at one time to purchase the lot then belonging to the heirs of Judge Roberts, Historical Account. 11 situated on the south side of Wylie street, and opposite to the present residence of Gen. Moorhead. The entire lot, containing eleven acres, was offered for live thousand dollars, and on easy terms, and was considered sufficiently large for one congregation; hut in the mean time, the decided success of Mount Auburn Cemetery, at Boston, led them to change and enlarge their views and plans, so as to embrace the prospective wants of the whole population of the two cities of all denominations that might think proper to unite in the movement. In the month of May, 1834, the person first named in the note referred to (now the only survivor of the three), had visited the cities along the Atlantic coast, from Washington to Boston, and though the trip was one of recreation, he lost no opportunity of gathering information in regard to new enterprises, and their plans of operation, for the establishment of rural cemeteries. A visit to the tomb of Wash¬ ington, at Mount Vernon, was eminently calculated to heighten the interest he felt in the subject, recalling as it did, the life, character and virtues of the model statesman and patriot of the eventful age in which he lived. At Boston he visited Mount Auburn, the first rural cemetery in the United States. In none of the intervening cities had the rural plan yet been adopted. Mount Auburn Cemetery was chartered in 12 The Allegheny Cemetery. 1831, Laurel Hill, at Philadelphia, in 1836, and Greenwood, at New York, in 1838. In the two latter cities the old system still prevailed of small, crowded and unsightly graveyards, generally con¬ nected with individual churches. It was only after a four years struggle and failure, that the success of Greenwood was finally established, and the grounds opened to the public for burial purposes in 1842. This was owing, however, to the mistake on the part of the founders of attempting to base the enterprise on the stock company principle, and furnished a useful lesson to others engaged in similar under¬ takings. Since that period its success has been sat¬ isfactory and progressive. At Mount Auburn, the tout ensemble in design and execution, its ample grounds covered with forest trees, its avenues and monuments, its chaste and elegant improvements, required only to be seen to produce the conviction that a new and better method was introduced in regard to burying the dead, and that soon it would be adopted in all the principal cities and large towns in the country. Like many of the most important improvements, however, in every department and business of life, time and effort were necessary to secure its introduction. The press had to be enlisted, and visitors induced to turn aside from the pursuits of business and pleasure, and see and examine the new plan for themselves, but wher- Historical Account. 13 ever this was done, all doubts were at once removed as to its superior advantages. Though but three years had elapsed since the grounds were opened, it was truly surprising to witness what the proverbial taste and wealth of Boston had accomplished in that short time, both in the improvement and embellish¬ ment of the cemetery generally, and of private lots. A number of elegant monuments were already erected, and others were in progress. It was a novel and rather remarkable sight to witness cqstly and elabo¬ rate monuments erected by persons who were still alive and well, and daily on the streets in attend¬ ance on their ordinary business. This custom of ante mortem preparation for death was formerly rare, but in modern times has become more common, in consequence of the greater security and advantages afforded by well regulated cemeteries. It is a question not unworthy of investigation, when and with whom did the idea of a rural ceme¬ tery originate, conforming essentially to the concep¬ tion of a spacious and beautiful rural cemetery as arranged in modern times? The man who first brought the idea into practical use is entitled to be enrolled amongst the benefactors of his race, and deserves an enduring monument to perpetuate his fame. The founder and patriarch of the Hebrew nation, who lived nearly two thousand years before the 14 The Allegheny Cemetery. Christian era, seems to have no small claim to this distinction. It is a remarkable fact, that he is de¬ scribed in the inspired volume, the oldest and most truthful of all history, as making just such provision for the repose of the bodies of his family and descend¬ ants as is contemplated in rural cemeteries of the present day. On the death of his wife Sarah, he determined to purchase a burying place, where not only his beloved wife, but himself and his posterity for long ages to come, might be buried and rest in security. After a careful examination of the country lying west of the river Jordan in Palestine, he pur¬ chased the field in which was the cave of Machpelah, for a stipulated sum of money, in fee simple, and in perpetuity; carefully providing, by solemn contract, that the trees in the field, and all the trees round about the border of the field, and the cave itself, should be included in the purchase, and stating that it was bought for the purpose of a burying place. And the same history informs us that for hundreds of years afterwards, many of his descendants, and amongst them Isaac and Jacob, were gathered from distant lands to this sacred and endeared spot, though his race, scattered and dispersed over the world, have to this day mingled their dust with that of nearly every other nation and people on the face of the earth. Knowing what we do of the character of this noble Historical Account. 15 man of antiquity, this favorite of Heaven, this pro¬ genitor of the Redeemer himself, this leader and representative of a nation tracing its origin hack into the twilight of past ages, and still, though powerless and humbled, preserving its national existence and characteristics down to the present time, and destined in time to come to excel in power and glory all other nations on earth; it is reasonable to infer that the transaction above recited was regarded as one of no small importance, and that it was carried out on a scale of magnificence and liberality approaching more nearly to the completeness of modern cemeteries than is generally supposed. Dr. Thomson, in his book on the Holy Land en¬ titled “ The Land and the Book,” published in 1859, gives a minute account of this celebrated field and cave, and of the edifice still standing over it, which he states bears evidence of greater antiquity than anything he had seen in that country. In his own strong language, he regards it as “ the most interest¬ ing of all spots on the face of the earth,” for the reason that though doubt and uncertainty hang over many other historic points in the Holy Land, there is not a shadow of doubt that this cave, which he per¬ sonally visited, is the identical cave of Machpelah, and that now, after the lapse of nearly four thousand years, and notwithstanding the frequent destructive wars that have since occurred in that country between 16 The Allegheny Cemetery. Jews and gentiles, Mohammedans, Christians and pagans, the remains of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Leah, and others of their descendants, still repose securely in it to this day. Fortunate indeed and wise was the patriarch in his selection and purchase of this field of Ephron, with all its surroundings, as a burying place and cemetery for himself and his posterity. “ The name and fame of Machpelah and its distinguished dead have ex¬ tended to the ends of the earth, and will continue till the end of time.” In the interval of years between 1834 and 1842 the enterprise of establishing a rural cemetery in this vicinity was at no time lost sight of, or abandoned. During a part of this time there was great depres¬ sion and stagnation in business all over the country, and but limited means, and still less inclination to embark in new enterprises of any kind. Continued efforts were made to keep alive an inter¬ est in the subject which might lead finally to definite action. Occasional articles from different writers were published in the newspapers, advocating the measure, and explaining the pernicious consequences resulting from burying the dead in large cities, and frequent notices were thrown before the public of the progress and success of rural cemeteries in other cities. Repeated explorations were also made of all the Historical Account. 17 sites in the neighborhood that were considered suita¬ ble or available for the purpose. Though several of these are very beautiful, some were found, on exam¬ ination, too difficult of access, and others, from vari¬ ous causes, not adapted to burial purposes; until finally the farm and homestead of Col. Bayard, em¬ bracing one hundred acres, was selected as in all respects the most desirable location in the vicinity. To the original purchase, several other tracts have since been added, bought from Mrs. Dr. Mowry, the heirs of Bichard Biddle, William Young, Mrs. Semple and others, making the entire amount of the grounds of the Cemetery, at this date, two hundred and eighty acres. In the meantime Mr. Colwell removed from Pitts¬ burgh to Philadelphia, where he resided till the time of his death, which occurred within the last year. He was a gentleman of rare mental and literary en¬ dowments, and of liberal views. So highly were his opinions appreciated in regard to national questions, that he was repeatedly summoned to Washington during the latter years of his life, by the head of the Treasury department, to give advice in matters re¬ lating to revenue, finance and the tariff, subjects which he had made his special study, and on which he has written several elaborate and valuable works. The following correspondence took place some years after his removal from amongst us, and two 18 The Allegheny Cemetery. years previous to the date of the charter of the com¬ pany, and shows that the interest he felt in the establishment of a rural cemetery in our vicinity, and in everything relating to Pittsburgh, remained unabated: Pittsburgh, May 20, 1842. Stephen Colwell, Esq. : Dear Sir —For some years past it has been in contemplation to purchase a suitable quantity of ground to establish a public cemetery for the use of the two cities of Pittsburgh and Allegheny, on the plan recently introduced in the eastern cities, more especially that of Mount Auburn, in the vicinity of Boston. You will no doubt recollect our frequent conversations some years ago, on the subject. The present reduced prices of property would seem to make this a favorable time to carry out the pro¬ ject, and I have therefore been endeavoring to enlist the public mind in favor of it. The extreme pressure of the times will no doubt present difficulties, hut still I have hopes that it may be accomplished, and that Pittsburgh, like Philadelphia and Boston, will soon have an appropriate “ city for the dead.” Several of your friends who are desirous for the success of the enterprise, will he gratified to receive from you any information you may think would he useful in carrying it out. We would he glad to know whether the cemeteries in the neighborhood of Philadelphia were founded by companies or by individuals; Historical Account. 19 What is the quantity of ground belonging to each; What the distance from the city; What the cost per acre ; What amount of money has been expended in fencing, grading and embellishing the grounds; What, in your opinion, would be the quantity of ground necessary for such a purpose here, in view of the future growth of the two cities ? How are lots sold ? by auction, or singly as called for ? What is their size, and what the usual price ? What the expense of superintendence, and care of grounds ? Answers to the above inquiries, and all other in¬ formation you may think proper to communicate, or an essay from yourself, or any well written arti¬ cles that may have been written by others on the subject, will be thankfully received. Respectfully and truly yours, &c. James R. Speer. Philadelphia, June 2, 1842. Dr. J. R. Speer : Dear Sir —I received yours, on the subject of a cemetery, a few days since. I have since been trying to collect some information for you, but my time is so much absorbed I cannot do much. I send you the charter and by-laws of the Laurel Hill asso¬ ciation, and a full account of Mount Auburn, near Boston, from which you may learn a reply to many of your inquiries. Whatever else I can get, I will send. 20 The Allegheny Cemetery. I have always thought the vicinity of Pittsburgh presented unusually fine sites for a city of the dead. Grounds intended for this purpose should, as I think, be selected with as great a variety of surface as possi¬ ble. Near Pittsburgh you can find situations within view of the city and of one or both rivers, with preci¬ pice, slope, level, forest and open ground. There is one site which I think far the finest, but at present it is inaccessible for such a purpose. I mean the ravine opposite Manchester, across the river, em¬ bracing Bailey’s Springs, running from the river to the top of the hill, and including the level ground there. One of the finest views about Pittsburgh is on the brow of that hill, where, if you have not been, you should hasten the first moment you can. There are fine sites up the Allegheny river. The level on the hill opposite the upper end of Bayards- town ought to be looked at. So, out the Fourth street road there are various places lying along the Mo- nongahela river, commencing with the Beelen farm. You ought to have at least fifty acres—one hundred would be better; and the greater part might be land not fit for anything else. You may find that the most unpromising places may turn out best on exam¬ ination. If the river would do for a highway, there are many sites down the Ohio below Bailey’s Springs. Look at the ravine above McDonald’s place in Bir¬ mingham. I beg you will not think of any mere level lot of ground. I would suggest that you interest B. Biddle. If you can get him fully interested, he would be useful and efficient. By the way, how would his place, back Historical Account. 21 of Mrs. Mowry’s, do, if he would part with it ? It has many of the requisites in a high degree, prospect and all. One of the managers of the Laurel Hill association remarked to me, when inquiring about the matter, that when an undertaking of the kind was attempted, some one or two persons of leisure and taste should devote themselves to it almost entirely. I throw out these loose suggestions more to show my willingness, and the interest I take in all that concerns Pittsburgh, than from any value they can have. I hope I shall be able to visit Pittsburgh in July or August, when I will have the pleasure of hearing what progress you have made. I think you are moving in the proper time. Yours truly, Stephen Colwell. In the spring of 1844 several meetings were held for the purpose of furthering the object, at which prominent members of Trinity Church and the First Presbyterian Church took an active part. The two adjoining lots occupied by these two churches, ex¬ tending each one hundred and sixty feet on Sixth avenue and two hundred and forty feet to Virgin alley, had been donated to them in the year 1787 by John Penn and others, for the purpose each of a church and burying ground. The lot lying north of these, fronting sixty feet on Sixth avenue and two hundred and forty on Wood street, was a subse¬ quent purchase by the First Presbyterian Church, 22 The Allegheny Cemetery. not subject to the same conditions, and no interments had ever been made on it; consequently the great number of interments made from 1787 to 1844 had all been crowded into a space, after deducting that occupied by the two church buildings, considerably less than a single acre. Indeed so densely populated with dead bodies had these grounds become, that it was scarcely possible to open a new grave without desecrating the remains of some one previously in¬ terred. For more than half a century, they had been the depository of large numbers from the noted and respectable families whose names are associated with the early history of the city. They were, therefore, the object of deep interest, and the necessity for some new arrangement to remedy the increasing evil had become not only urgent but imperative. On the first Monday of April, 1844, a meeting was held at the First Presbyterian Church on Wood street, at which the Fev. Francis Herron was called to the chair, and Samuel P. Johnston appointed secretary. The subject of the condition of the graveyard connected with the church, and the ne¬ cessity of procuring another site as a burying ground, was discussed; and with the hope of leading to a more general movement on the subject, and the adoption of some plan that should be creditable to the public enterprise of the place, the following reso¬ lutions were offered by Dr. J. P. Speer, and adopted: Historical Account. 23 Resolved , That the graveyard connected with the church being now filled with dead bodies, so that no more interments can conveniently he made, it is expedient that some suitable place be procured for a burying ground. Resolved , That this congregation, fully convinced of the many and weighty objections to the practice of interring the dead in populous and crowded cities, and of the superior advantages of the plan of public cemeteries , located without their. limits, as adopted within the last few years by all the eastern cities of the country, will cheerfully co-operate in any general effort to establish a public cemetery, under suitable regulations, and on a scale calculated to meet the present and future wants of the com¬ munity. Resolved , That a committee of three persons be appointed, consisting of Dr. J. R. Speer, F. Lorenz, Esq., and Wm. Robinson, Jr., Esq., to report such plan as it may be advisable to pursue in regard to the subject. Shortly afterwards, in pursuance of public notice, a meeting of the citizens was held in Philo Hall, to consider in regard to the establishment of a public cemetery. The Rev. A. D. Campbell was called to chair, and T. J. Bigham appointed secretary. On motion, Thomas Bakewell, William Eichbaum, Wilson McCandless, Frederick Lorenz and Dr. J. R. Speer were appointed to report resolutions for the acceptance of the meeting. The committee retired. 24 The Allegheny Cemeteky. and after some time reported the following reso¬ lutions : Whereas, the practice of interment in populous cities is in many respects incompatible with due regard to the memory of our departed friends, and attended with circumstances distressing to the feel¬ ings of surviving relations, and is moreover accom¬ panied with consequences highly injurious to the salubrity of the neighborhood in which burying grounds are located; and, Whereas, the present opportunity is favorable for the establishment of a rural cemetery, inasmuch as several tracts of land of sufficient extent, and suitable location for this purpose, at convenient distances from the city, and of easy access from the public roads, are offered for sale at moderate prices, and on favor¬ able terms; and, Whereas, experience has proved, that in all cases where .such cemeteries have been judiciously located, and properly conducted, they have been alike pro¬ ductive of general convenience, and individual ad¬ vantage. Therefore, Resolved , That a committee composed of five mem¬ bers be appointed to prepare articles of association, and obtain an act of incorporation for a cemetery, to be situated within four miles of the city containing not less than fifty nor more than one hundred acres ; and report a name or names. The following persons were appointed on this committee: Richard Biddle, Esq., Hon. R. C. Grier, MOORHEAD MAUSOLEUM. I Historical Account. 25 Thomas Bakewell, William Robinson, Esq., and Rey. Robert Dunlap. Resolved , That a committee of nine members be appointed, to receive proposals for the purchase of a lot of ground suitable for the purpose of establishing such Cemetery. The following persons were appointed on this committee : Thomas Bakewell, Dr. James R. Speer, T. J. Bigham, John Freeman, Thomas M. Howe, John Chislett, Dr. H. D. Sellers, E. W. Stephens and William J. Totten. Resolved , That a committee of fifteen members be appointed, to obtain subscriptions to the stock of a company for carrying the previous resolutions into effect. The following are the names of the members appointed on this committee: F rederick Lorenz, Charles Avery, George Hogg, John H. Shoenberger, John Bissell, H. Sterling, William Eichbaum, Jacob Painter, Charles Brown, Dr. William Kerr, F. G. Bailey, R. S. Cassett, William Lippincott, E. D. Gazzam and H. Childs. Resolved , That the above committees, except the first, be requested to report to a meeting to be held at such time and place as the chairman of this meeting shall designate, and that the committee under the first resolution be instructed to report to an adjourned 3 26 The Allegheny Cemetery. meeting to be held on Monday evening next, April 8 th. These proceedings were ordered to he published in all the newswapers of the city. From the Gazette and Advertiser of April 8th, 1844, the proceedings of the next and final meeting are copied. “ Public Cemetery. “ An adjourned meeting of the citizens of Pittsburgh to consult in regard to the establishment of a public Cemetery was held at the Board of Trade rooms, Col. William Robinson being appointed chairman, and T. J. Bighain, secretary. Bichard Biddle, from a committee appointed at a former meeting, reported a memorial to the Legis¬ lature, and the draft of a proposed act of incorpo¬ ration. These were unanimously adopted, and directed to be forwarded to Harrisburg, for the action of the Legislature. The following names were added to those of the committee previously appointed, to constitute the first Board of Corporators : Hon. Wilson McCandless, Hon. Thomas Irwin, Hon. Harmar Denny, George W. Jackson, Josiah King, Charles Brewer, James S. Craft, George Ogden, Nathaniel Holmes, Pollard McCormick, James Laughlin, Robert Beer and John D. McCord. The proceedings were directed to be published in all the city papers. Wm. Robinson, President. T. J. Bigham, Secretary A Historical Account. 27 The Act of Incorporation was promptly passed by the Legislature, without objection, and returned with the approval of Gov. David R. Porter, dated April 24th, 1844. To no one more competent and reliable could the responsible duty of drafting the charter of the com¬ pany have been entrusted than to the Hon. Richard Biddle, a gentleman widely known as a learned and able lawyer; and to his legal experience and forecast it is largely indebted for the wise and careful provi¬ sions it contains, tersely and clearly expressed, by which important rights have been secured, and diffi¬ culties and embarrassments avoided, which have re¬ tarded or frustrated the success of similar undertak¬ ings in other cities. When charters are granted by the State for ordi¬ nary purposes or enterprises, they are generally limited to a certain time, and the right is reserved to annul or revoke, on certain conditions. Under au¬ thority of an amendment to the Constitution of the State in 1857, this right has been more frequently exercised by the Legislature than in former years. The charter of the Allegheny Cemetery is not limited in time, nor does it contain any clause re¬ serving the right to revoke the privileges granted. If it be asked why this is so, it may be answered, that the field of its operation is as extensive as the ravages of death, and that the time when they will 28 The Allegheny Cemetery. cease will be the end of time itself. These are important features of the charter, as we believe it is conceded that there is no power in the Legislature, or any other tribunal in the land, to recall or annul rights once vested in a corporation, unless it be with the consent of the corporation itself, or on account of the violation of stipulated conditions. The charter is therefore perpetual, and the rights and privileges conferred by it are irrevocable. In regard to the charter of the Allegheny Ceme¬ tery, it is the opinion of several of the most eminent lawyers of the State, that it is a binding contract be¬ tween the State and the company, the one agreeing to confer certain rights and privileges, and the other, in consideration, to perform certain acts and duties pertaining to the welfare of the public, and that its validity cannot be impaired, either by courts or le¬ gislatures. The way being now fairly opened, it was resolved to proceed with energy and determination in accom¬ plishing a work intended not only to confer lasting benefits on the community, but one in accordance also with an innate sentiment of human nature, deeply implanted in the breast of all nations, ancient and modern, barbarous and civilized, prompting them, under different modes and forms, to show profound respect and veneration to the remains and memories of the dead. This sentiment was manifested Historical Account. 29 by the intense desire expressed by Joseph and his ancestors to be carried back from the land of Egypt and to be buried by the side of their kindred in the land of Canaan; by the pyramids of Egypt, with the embalmed and royal dead they contain; by the costly monuments and cenotaphs of all nations ; and even by the mounds and tumuli of the barbarous tribes on our own continent, over which sturdy oaks have waved their foliage for centuries past. Kindred to this feeling of veneration for the dead, is the laudable desire of every virtuous mind to live on, even after life shall have ended, not alone in epi¬ taph on cold and heartless marble or stone, to be seen and read by the few, but in the affectionate remem¬ brance and regard of those that are left behind. “For who, to dumb forgetfulness a prey, This pleasing, anxious being ere resigned, Left the warm precincts of the cheerful day, Nor cast one longing, lingering look behind?” The following is a brief synopsis of the provisions of the Charter: By the first section it legalizes, as a body politic and in law, a number of gentlemen, designated cor¬ porators, selected from amongst the friends and pa¬ trons of the enterprise, and confers on them the right of perpetual succession. The second section defines the manner of securing its perpetual existence, viz., by annual election to fill 30 The Allegheny Cemetery. vacancies that may occur from death or otherwise. It also gives full power to ordain, establish and put in operation all such laws, rules and regulations as may be necessary for the proper government of the corporation, making in fact such by-laws, rules and regulations, as binding in law as the charter itself, provided they are not inconsistent with the laws of the State or of the United States. The third section provides for the annual election of a board of managers, president, secretary and treasurer, and prescribes the duties usually per¬ formed by these officers. Having thus prescribed the plan of organization of the company, and by a subsequent section given the power to appoint all other officers, agents and work¬ men that may be necessary, and to fix their wages or compensation, section fourth gives the right to pur¬ chase a tract of land suitable to the purposes of a Cemetery, and to lay out and divide and arrange it into burial lots, and to adapt and ornament the ground for that purpose, and to sell plots and lots in fee simple, or otherwise, without distin ction or re¬ gard to sect, provided that they shall be used for no other purpose than that of sepulture, and that in the hands of purchasers they shall be free from seizure , levy or sale. Another section provides, in relation to the grounds of the Cemetery generally, that no street, Historical Account. 31 lane or road shall ever be laid out through the lands so occupied as a Cemetery, except under the authority of the corporation, and that they shall be free from taxation . Finally, by a crowning act of wisdom and forecast, it not only provides, but requires , that from the pro¬ ceeds of the sales of lots, it shall be the duty of the managers to create and set apart a fund to be invested in ground rents and mortgages, the income of which shall be adequate, and shall be applied to the im¬ provement and perpetual maintenance of the Ceme¬ tery in proper order and security for all future time, even after every acre shall have been sold, if that time shall ever come. In addition to this fund, designed especially for the perpetual maintenance of the buildings, inclos¬ ures, roads and avenues of the Cemetery, for which a large sum has already been set apart, and will be increased as necessity may require, authority has also been given by subsequent legislation, to create a sep¬ arate and distinct fund, called the “ Endowment Fund/’ from the proceeds of property, or the interest of money donated by lot-holders, and deposited with the company, the interest of which shall be applied as they may direct, to the care, and keeping in order, of their individual lots. The company is constituted the responsible trustee of both these important funds. Under this latter 32 The Allegheny Cemeteky. provision there is a binding and perpetual agreement on the part of the company to expend in labor and care on the lots described, the annual interest of the sum deposited, in the manner desired by the depos¬ itor. But in case a lot-holder does not desire to adopt this plan, another is placed at his option,, by paying annually a moderate sum, proportioned to the size of the lot, and the labor necessary to keep it in order. The objections to this last arrangement are, that it is temporary in its nature, and liable to cease with the life of the lot-holder, or by his removal elsewhere, or the transfer of his lot to another person, or a failure to give personal attention to his lot and pay bills for work ordered. For these reasons the attention of lot-holders is specially called to the superior advan¬ tages of the endowment plan, as providing more cer¬ tainly for all necessary care and attention to their lots, and superseding the necessity of after payment for work done. The only apparent defect in the charter and sup¬ plements recited, is the absence of suitable penalties for the violation of its provisions. This defect has since been supplied by a general law of the State en¬ titled “ An Act to Protect Burial Grounds/’ whether public or private, incorporated or not incorporated, dated May 7th, 1855. This act imposes a penalty of from one to five hundred dollars, and imprisonment in the county jail, or penitentiary, from one to three BRUNOT, BREADING Historical Account. 33 years, on any person who shall clandestinely or un¬ lawfully open any tomb or grave, and remove there¬ from any human body, or any part thereof. It also imposes a fine of from five to fifty dollars on any person who shall wilfully destroy, mutilate or deface, injure or remove any tomb, monument, grave-stone, or other structure, or shall wilfully destroy, cut, break or remove any tree, shrub or plant within the limits of such grounds. Taken in connection with the enactments of the charter, the above provisions seem to leave nothing further to be desired in order to carry out success¬ fully the designs and purposes of the company. They fully meet every requirement of security , perpetuity and adornment. Within these grounds, which nature and art have combined to render beautiful and attractive, the man of wealth and means may gratify his tastes, and honor the memory of his departed friends, by the erection of costly monuments and improvements, in confident security that they will never be marred or defaced, unless it be by the all-destroying hand of time; while, with a tender regard for the feelings and in¬ terests of the indigent and poor, every man who be¬ comes the owner of a lot within their bounds, is assured, that whatever claims adversity or misfortune may compel him to leave uncancelled when he is called from this world, the sacred spot that will con- 34 The Allegheny Cemeteky. tain his remains will never be disturbed, and that over his grave the living spirit and genius of this charter will stand like a faithful sentinel, persona¬ ting the power and authority of the Commonwealth, to guard it by night and by day against relentless exactions of the civil law, or the lawless hand of man. We are aware that similar enterprises have been organized in other parts of the country on the principle of stock companies, for the professed purpose of caring for the dead, when the real object has been pecuniary profit to the stockholders. Public senti¬ ment has compelled sundry of these companies to abandon the ground they had at first taken, and change their plans, and others have failed of suc¬ cess. The idea of pecuniary gain, or speculation, has not at any time entered into the minds of the pro¬ jectors of the Allegheny Cemetery. Their aims and purposes from the beginning to the present time have been neither pecuniary , sectarian or selfish , but in all respects liberal and humane, looking only to the public welfare and public benefaction. This prin¬ ciple was distinctly avowed in a resolution offered by Gen. Howe, and unanimously adopted at one of the earliest meetings of the managers, and before a single lot had been sold; and much of the success of the enterprise is due to its strict observance to the pres¬ ent time. The resolution indeed goes much further, however, Historical Account. 35 than the assertion of this fundamental principle. It provides that the entire proceeds from the sale of lots shall he appropriated, first, to the extinguishment of the debt incurred by the purchase of the property; next, in improving and ornamenting the grounds ; and lastly, to the creation of a permanent fund, sufficient to keep the ground in good order through all time to come; but, in order to provide against the contingency that after these objects had been accom¬ plished a surplus might remain, it provides that such surplus shall be devoted to “philanthropic and charitable uses.” It may here be stated, that with the exception of the few salaried officers and agents who attend to the details of its business, no member or officer of the corporation has ever received any compensation or emolument whatever for the time and services de¬ voted to its management, though they have been freely and cheerfully given for a period of time extending over more than a quarter of a century. They desire no compensation but the satisfaction that arises from the complete success of an undertaking which they believe will be regarded with favor and approbation, not only by the present, but by the generations that will come after them. Their chief concern is so to regulate and manage the business of the institution in its different departments, during their connection with it, that in the hands of their successors its char- 36 The Allegheny Cemeteey. tered rights will be preserved, its funds carefully* guarded, and its affairs conducted with disinterested regard to the objects for which it was founded. The company has been doubly fortunate in the purchase of their lands. They were bought originally in separate parcels and from different owners, at mo¬ derate rates, amounting in the aggregate to $118,500, but if estimated by recent sales of adjoining property, could not be purchased at the present time for less than one million, perhaps one and a half million dollars. They have also been fortunate in regard to the character of the grounds purchased. Many sites otherwise favorable would be unfit for the purpose, if underlaid with a clayey, tenacious deposit, prevent¬ ing the percolation of moisture downwards, or evapo¬ ration from the surface. The soil is of a sandy and porous nature, and the grounds in all respects ad¬ mirably adapted to the purposes of sepulture, and in keeping with modern taste and sentiment in regard to rural cemeteries. With the exception of the ocean, bay and city views at Greenwood, New York, which are no wjbere else to be found combined, we do not believe there is any other locality in the country where all the essential requisites of a rural cemetery are present in a higher degree of perfection than in the grounds of the Alle¬ gheny Cemetery. Indeed the panorama often pre- Historical Account. 37 sented to the eye from some of its highest points, on a calm summer or autumn evening, is surpassingly beautiful; especially on a Sunday evening, when the countless fires and furnaces of the workshop city are extinguished in deference to the sacredness of the day, and their huge columns of smoke cease for a time to darken the air; when the sun is seen sinking in the west behind golden clouds that gild his pathway, the hold hills on the opposite hanks of the Allegheny and Monongahela hemming in their waters as they glide along to join the Ohio, and travel in company with it two thousand miles through the peerless val¬ leys of the Ohio and Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico. Within the range of the eyes from these grounds lies the city of Pittsburgh, containing with its surround¬ ing cities and villages two hundred thousand inhab¬ itants, and destined in the prophetic vision of Washington, long before the era of canals and rail roads commenced, to become the key from the east to the west, and from the boundless west to the east. Our rivers and rail roads have since converted this prophecy into history. At a still nearer distance from the north-western side of the Cemetery is Wainwright’s Island, adjoining the river front of the United States Arsenal, linked also by a thrilling incident to the name of the father of his country. It is a memorable fact, that on two occasions in the early history of this great man, his 88 The Allegheny Cemetery. life was placed in imminent danger in this immediate vicinity. In the bloody and disastrous defeat of Braddock’s Fields he miraculously escaped, unscathed by the arrows or bullets of the savage foe, and in the instance to be mentioned, encountered a danger no less threatening, from an ice-flood in the Alle¬ gheny river. He had been sent by the Governor of Virginia on a tour of inspection amongst the Indians in the region of country near Franklin and Erie. On his return towards Pittsburgh, arriving on the west bank of the river, he found its swollen stream covered with huge cakes of floating ice. As there was no possible means of conveyance at that early day, he constructed a fail bark with his own hands, of such materials as he found on the bank of the river, and under the guidance of a kind Providence that shaped his path in after life, worked his way, at great hazard, across the rapid current, drifting obliquely downwards through the ice, till he landed in safety on the head of that island. Who does not shudder at the bare thought of the calamities that might have befallen our country, if the life of Washington had been lost in that perilous adventure ? Taking into consideration the natural attractions of the grounds of the Cemetery and the interesting reminiscences connected with Fort Duquesne and Fort Pitt, and the various wars and revolutions by Historical Account. 39 which this important point had passed successively under Indian, French and English rule and author¬ ity before the war of independence, they become invested with a high degree of classic and historic interest. In point of surface, the grounds are not level, and yet not too hilly and rugged. The parts least avail¬ able for present use are invaluable for ornament and rural scenery. Of this description is a tongue of land running from the east corner of the Cemetery along the Morning-Side road towards East Liberty. It was purchased from the heirs of the Hon. Richard Biddle, who bought it many years since on account of his fondness for that kind of scenery, and in order to secure the control of a deep ] avine or gully, from which the hills rise to the height of three hundred feet on either side. They are covered with native forest trees, and in the season of foliage present a rare specimen of sylvan and rural beauty. The pensive murmur of gentle winds in pleasant weather and their loud and harsh roar in days of storm, are in striking contrast with the chorus of the winged tenants that nestle in their branches. As a whole, the grounds are diversified with hill and ravine, valley, brook and lake, all so happily blended and arranged as to admit of the highest im¬ provement, and to gratify all lovers of the beauties of nature, whether she be clothed in her summer vesture 40 The Allegheny Cemeteey. of foliage and flowers, and animated with the melody of cheerful birds, or in the snow-white winding-sheet of winter, and saddened with the moaning sounds of chilly winds passing through the leafless forest. These changes in the face of nature will continue al¬ ternately to recur, as long as seedtime and harvest return; hut the harvest of death is confined to no season and no clime. On these grounds the ripe fruit and the faded leaf of human growth will fall at all seasons of the year, and he gathered into their silent chambers, there to await the mysterious change hy which this corruptible body will put on incorruption and this mortal will be clothed with an immortal existence. This profound mystery meets and con¬ fronts us at the gates of the cemetery, and nt the grave’s mouth. It defies the scrutiny of human philosophy and human wisdom, and can only be solved and explained by the mission to earth of that celestial Personage, whose birth, life, miracles, death and resurrection were all inscrutable mysteries, yet all incontestable facts; whose divine nature resisted and withstood the destroying power of death and the grave, and whose sublime teachings have opened up to mortal man life and immortality beyond the pre¬ sent life, and instructed him how he may regain an inheritance in that upper world infinitely greater and grander than the Paradise that he lost by the fall. The following lines from Blair’s poem on the Grave, Historical Account. 41 slightly abridged, are too beautiful and appropriate to be omitted in this connection. The gifted poet eloquently portrays man’s humble and lowly exit from this life, his temporary abode in the grave, and the final re-union of his material and immaterial natures, his soul and body, reorganized and ani¬ mated with new energies and capacities, adapted to a higher and endless state of existence in the world to come. “ The time draws on When not a single spot of burial earth, Whether on land or on the spacious sea, But must give back its long committed dust Inviolate. . . . Not the least atom Embezzled or mislaid of the whole frame. Each soul shall have a body ready furnished, And each shall have its own. Ask not how this can be? Sure the same power That reared the piece at first, and took it down, Can reassemble the loose scattered parts, And put them as they were. Almighty God Has done much more, and what he can he will; His faithfulness stands bound to see it done. When the dread trumpet sounds, the slumbering dust (Not inattentive to the call) shall wake, And every part possess its proper place, With a new elegance of form unknown To its first state. Nor shall the conscious soul Mistake its partner, but amidst the crowd Singling its other half, shall rush into its arms. Thrice happy meeting, Nor time nor death shall shall ever part them more. ’Tis but a night, a long and moonless night; We make the grave our bed, and then are gone. Thus at the shut of even, the weary bird Leaves the wide air, and in some lonely brake Cowers down and dozes till the dawn of day, Then claps its well-fledged wings and bears away.” 4 42 The Allegheny Cemetery. Man is a complex being, stamped with the image of his Creator, born to live two lives, and to inhabit two worlds; possessed of intellectual faculties that rank him far above his present condition, and only a little lower than the angels; and yet he is clogged with defects and infirmities that are constantly tend¬ ing to impair or destroy both bodily and mental powers, and to drag him down to the earth from which he was taken; and surely if there is a spot on this broad earth more favorable than all others, save the sanctuary of the Most High, for thoughtful reflec¬ tion on these strange and opposite conditions of his nature, to a calm survey of his past life, and a ration¬ al outlook into the world to which he aspires ; to a serious consideration of the relations he bears to his Creator and to his fellow beings, and the duties he owes to each, that hallowed spot is to be found amongst the memorials of the dead, and in the se¬ cluded walks and retreats of the Cemetery. Another poet, in the fervor of his wonder and amazement, while contemplating these momentous themes, exclaims : “ Oil, wliat a mystery to man is man ! Midway from nothing to the Deity ! An heir of glory. A frail child of dust! An angel’s arm can’t snatch him from the grave,—• Legions of angels can’t confine him there.” In looking over tne past history of the enterprise, Historical Account. 43 many circumstances have transpired, calculated to afford encouragement and satisfaction to those who have nursed and carried it through the dangerous age of infancy to its present advanced maturity. It has fully met an evident want and necessity in this large and growing community. It has already risen in public estimation to the rank of a highly useful institution, and is considered by all an ornament and honor to the city. It has done much by the influence it has exerted on visitors from all parts of the country, to aid in in¬ troducing the modern and improved system of rural cemeteries, adapted to the wants of different com¬ munities. The condition of many of the small, neg¬ lected and dilapidated grave-yards, attached to churches all over the country, overgrown with briars and weeds, and often infected with vermin, is truly deplorable, but it may reasonably be expected that many of these will be restored from their present repulsive condition, to one of comparative neatness, order and beauty, by the stimulus given by the new system. It has given gratuitous sepulture to many of the brave soldiers who lost their lives in the late rebel¬ lion, and to many indigent persons who had neither money nor friend to defray this last debt of nature for them. On the other hand, the retrospect suggests many 44 The Allegheny Cemeteky. sad and mournful reflections. Of the original list of corporators, twenty-six, nearly two-thirds of the whole, are already numbered with the dead. Of these twenty-five sleep in the Cemetery they had prepared for themselves, and one, Judge R. C. Grier, is buried in the eastern part of the State. Of the first board of managers, including the treasurer, four are also dead: Richard Biddle, Chas. Avery, Thomas Bakewell and Nathaniel Holmes. Their survivors are Wilson McCandless, Thomas M. Howe, John H. Shoenberger and J. R. Speer. John Chislett, Sr., the first superintendent and engineer of the company, died about four years since, and with his aged wife is interred in the grounds his refined taste and skill had done so much to beautify and adorn. Inheriting the tastes and acquirements of his father, and having been for many years the practical eugineer of the company, John Chislett, Jr., fills the same position, with equal ability and acceptance. The number of lot-holders at this time is about three thousand five hundred, and the whole number of interments, including removals from other grave¬ yards, over seventeen thousand. It includes the names of many noted and useful men from the business and industrial walks of life, who will long be remembered and honored in this community. Westminster Abbey and Pere-la-Chaise are re- Historical Account. 45 nowned for the great number of titled and royal personages buried within their walls, many of them men whose fame as statesmen, heroes and philoso¬ phers has pervaded the world. Of the whole number interred in the former we are not informed. It is said the number in Pere-la-Chaise, which is only equal in extent to one-half the area of Allegheny Cemetery, is but little short of that of the whole liv¬ ing population of the city of Paris. Though neither titled nor royal, many good, great and worthy men have taken up their last abode, after 'the toils and cares of life were ended, in this “infant metropolis’’ of the dead, who will long be revered by their descendants. Our limits will not admit the list of their names, but amongst them will be found the record of many of the pioneer inhabitants of the city, attracted from different countries at an early period of her history; men of bold thoughts and enterprise, whose prophetic conceptions of the local advantages of the place gave origin to many of the most important manufacturing, railroad and other enterprises, which now constitute the basis of her solid wealth and property. To the long list, the pulpit, the bar and the medical profession have each contributed a large share. Never can these grounds cease to be interesting to visitors as they pass round their walks and avenues and note the names of Francis Herron, John Black, 46 The Allegheny Cemeteky. Robert Dunlap, Robert Bruce, Allan D. Campbell, Elisha P. Swift, and other faithful and worthy divines, who by earnest argument and persuasive eloquence, “ Tried every art, reproved each dull delay, Allured to brighter worlds, and led the way.” From the bar will be seen the names of James Ross, William Wilkins, Richard Biddle, Orlando Metcalf, Walter Forward, Charles Shaler, Cornelius Darragh, Wm. M. Shinn, William B. McClure, Thomas Williams, and many others widely known as distinguished lawyers and statesmen both in the courts and councils of the state and nation. Of the medical profession the number is large of useful and eminent physicians, who no longer answer to the calls of anxious patients, having yielded themselves to the same fate which it had been their life - long effort to avert from others. Though they have ceased from their labors, their works of kindness and mercy follow them, and they will ever be held in grateful remembrance by those to whom they have ministered. In this catalogue are the names of James Agnew, Shepley R. Holmes, John S. Irwin, William F. Irwin, Joseph Gazzam, William Addison, Andrew N. McDowell, Robert Simpson, Henry D. Sellers, E. G. Edrington, Jeremiah Brooks, Thomas F. Dale, and Dr. Day, U. S. A. Historical Account. 47 And there is still another class whose graves and monuments will he visited and wept over by bereaved and loving friends while memory lasts. Their re¬ mains sleep in the Cemetery, but their names are inscribed on the roll of their country’s honor. They are the soldiers and patriots who sprang to arms when the life and integrity of the nation was en¬ dangered by the late rebellion, and laid down their lives in its defence. Gen. Alexander Hays, Gen. C. F. Jackson, Col. James H. Childs, Col. Oliver H. Bippey, Col. Samuel W. Black, Maj. Albert M. Harper, Maj. William S. Kirkwood, with nearly twelve hundred of their brave companions bivouacked over these grounds, belong to this noble band. Fifteen others brought from the battle-fields of Mexico, lie by their side. From the editorial corps, which, in every com¬ munity, exercises so large an influence in forming and guiding public opinion, in all the departments of literature, morals, politics and religion, will be found the names of John M. Snowden, Neville B. Craig, Robert M. Biddle, Henry C. Marthens, J. Herron Foster, Hiram Kaine and James W. Biddle. Many of these men have left behind them an envi¬ able reputation for talent and ability as writers and editors. To not a few who will visit these grounds, the 48 The Allegheny Cemetery. name alone on a monument or tomb-stone will re¬ call the history of a whole past life; to some the memory of “ Joys departed never to return,” to some of griefs and sorrows unutterable, except in the silent language of tears, while in the minds of others it will revive the recollection of undying parental love and affection, and call up afresh the lessons of piety and virtue instilled into their youth¬ ful minds, which have formed and developed what¬ ever there is noble and good in their own characters. Indeed, there are but few family circles in the large population of the two adjoining cities of Pitts¬ burgh and Allegheny, whose hearts and sympathies are not drawn with deep and sorrowful interest to this sacred spot, by the fond memories of some one or more loved ones, who have been removed from their midst by the hand of death, and who now sleep beneath its quiet and peaceful shades. GENL. HAYS. Q Act of Incorporation. 49 AN ACT TO Incorporate the Allegheny Cemetery, OK ALLEGHENY COUNTY. Section 1 . Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsyl¬ vania , in General Assembly met , and it is hereby enacted by authority of the same , That Thomas Bake- well, Dr. James R. Speer, William Robinson, Jr., John Freeman, E. W. Stephens, Thomas M. Howe, J. Chislett, T. J. Bigham, W. J. Totten, Dr. H. D. Sellers, F. Lorenz, Charles Avery, George Hogg, John H. Shoenberger, H. Childs, J. Painter, John Bissell, H. Sterling, Rev. A. M. Bryan, W. Lippin- cott, Dr. William Kerr, E. D. Gazzam, R. S. Cassat, W. Eichbaum, F. G. Bailey, H. Denny, R. C. Grier, G. W. Jackson, Josiah King, Charles Brewer, Wil¬ son McCandless, J. S. Craft, Geo. Ogden, N. Holmes, P. McCormick, J. Laughlin, R. Biddle, J. D. McCord, R. Beer and Thos. Irwin, be and they and their suc¬ cessors are hereby created a body politic in law, under the name and title of the Allegheny Cemetery, and by that name shall have perpetual succession, and be able and capable in law to have and use a common 50 The Allegheny Cemetery. seal, to sue and be sued, implead and be impleaded in all courts of law and equity, and to do all such other things as are incident to a corporation. Section 2. That the said corporation shall, at least once in every year hereafter, fill, by election by ballot, all vacancies which may occur among them, and may at the same time or other times, in¬ crease and add to their number from those who may be lot-holders in the Cemetery, so that the said company shall never be reduced to less than ten, nor exceed forty members; and they shall have full power to ordain, establish and put in execution all such by-laws, rules and regulations, not contrary to the constitution and laws of the United States, or of this State, which may be necessary for the proper government of this corporation, its officers and affairs, and, until the election of managers, shall exercise all the powers thereof. Section 3. That the said corporators shall, at least once in every year, elect from their number seven managers, one of whom shall be designated as president, and a secretary and treasurer, who shall make a report of their proceedings and a statement of the finances, at the annual meetings of the corporators, and as much oftener as may be re¬ quired by a majority of them the said corporators. Section 4. That the said corporators or mana¬ gers shall have power to contract for and purchase Act of Incorporation. 51 from the owner or owners thereof, a tract of land in Allegheny county, not exceeding in the whole one hundred acres, and the same to lay out and ornament? and to divide and arrange it into suitable plots and burial lots, remove and alter old, and erect new build¬ ings, and to do all other things proper and necessary to be done to adapt the said ground for the purposes of a Cemetery, and to sell and dispose of said plots and burial lots in fee simple, or otherwise, for the purpose of sepulture, to individuals, societies, or con¬ gregations, without distinction or regard to sect, under such conditions, rules and regulations as the said corporators or managers may establish for the gov¬ ernment of lot-holders, visitors to the Cemetery, and burial of the dead: Provided, that the lots granted by the said association for burial lots shall not be used for any other purpose; and they shall be free from seizure, levy or sale, under or by virtue of any execution against any grantee or grantees of said as¬ sociation for such purpose. Section 5. That the said corporators, or the said managers after their election, shall have the power to appoint all other officers, agents and work¬ men which may be needful, and fix their compensa¬ tion or wages, and the same discharge at pleasure; to take from the treasurer security for the faithful performance of his trust, and to discharge him from his office upon occasion therefor; and that the said 52 The Allegheny Cemeteky. managers shall keep fair minutes of all their acts and doings. Section 6 . That the said company shall he capa¬ ble of holding so much personal property as may be necessary for the purposes of this incorporation; and it shall be the duty of the managers, out of the pro¬ ceeds of sale of burial lots, to create a fund to be invested in ground rents or mortgages, the income whereof shall be of adequate amount, and applied as may be necessary for the improvement and perpetual maintenance of the Cemetery in proper order and security; and at least ten per cent, of the purchase money of all burial lots shall be set aside for said improvements, and the creation of said perpetual fund; and any failure in the duties aforesaid shall subject said managers or corporators to the control of the competent judicial authority for correction. Section 7. That no street, lane or road shall ever be laid out through the lands so occupied as a Cemetery, except under the authority of the corpo¬ ration ; and that the same shall be exempt from taxation. JAS. EOSS SNOWDEN, Speaker of the Home of Representatives. WM. BIGLEE, Speaker of the Senate. Approved the 24th day of April, A. D. 1844. DAVID E. POETEE. Acts of Assembly. ACTS SUPPLEMENTAL To an Act Incorporating the Allegheny Cemetery. AN ACT RELATIVE TO ALLEGHENY CEMETERY. Section 1 . Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsyl¬ vania , in General Assembly met , and it is hereby en¬ acted by authority of the same , That the managers of the Allegheny Cemetery, in Allegeny county, shall have full power and authority to contract for, buy and acquire title, in fee simple or otherwise, for a lot or lots of ground, in the city of Pittsburgh, for the purpose of constructing a receiving vault for the dead of all denominations; and also connected therewith, a building for funeral services, if, in the judgment of the managers of the said corporation, the same shall be proper and necessary. Section 2. That the said managers shall also have power and authority to contract for, buy and acquire title, in fee simple or otherwise, for an addi¬ tional number of acres of ground, contiguous to the ground at present enclosed by the Cemetery, not exceeding one hundred acres, subject to the restric- 54 The Allegheny Cemetery. tions and immunities in the charter of the said cor¬ poration : Provided , that the same shall he used only for the burial of the dead, without distinction of creed or sect, and the ornamenting and preservation of the grounds. WM. F. PACKEE, Speaker of the House of Representatives. GEOEGE DAESIE, Speaker of the Senate . Approved the 7th day of April, A. D. 1849. WM. F. JOHNSTON. AN ACT TO PROTECT BURIAL GROUNDS. Section 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsyl¬ vania , in General Assembly met , and it is hereby en¬ acted by the authority of the same , That if any person shall open any tomb or grave in any cemetery, grave¬ yard, or any grounds set apart for burial purposes, either private or public, held by individuals for their own use, or in trust for others, or for any church "or institution, whether incorporated or not, without the consent of the owners or trustees of such grounds,and clandestinely or unlawfully remove, or attempt to remove, any human body, or part thereof, therefrom, such person, upon conviction thereof, shall be sen- Acts of Assembly. 55 tenced to undergo an imprisonment in the county jail or penitentiary for a term of not less than one year, nor more than three years, and pay a fine of not less than one hundred dollars, at the discretion of the couft of the proper county; and any person who shall wilfuly destroy, mutilate, deface, injure or remove any tomb, monument, grave-stone, or other structure placed in any grounds aforesaid, or any fence, or railing, or other work for the protection or ornament of said grounds, or of any tomb, monu¬ ment, grave-stone or other structure placed therein, as aforesaid, or shall wilfully destroy, cut, break or remove any tree, shrub or plant within the limits of such grounds, or hunt any game within said limits, ’ shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall, upon conviction thereof, before any justice of the peace, be punished by a fine, at the discretion of the justice, of not less than five, nor more than fifty dol¬ lars ; Provided , that the provisions of this Act shall not go into effect until after the first day of October next. HENEY E. STEONG, Speaker of the House of Representatives. W. M. HIESTEE, Speaker of the Senate. Approved the 7th day of May, A. D. 1855. JAMES POLLOCK. 56 The Allegheny Cemetery. AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE MANAGERS OF THE ALLEGHENY CEMETERY TO SELL CERTAIN REAL ESTATE. Section 1 . Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsyl¬ vania , in General Assembly met , and it is hereby en¬ acted by authority of the same , That the managers of the Allegheny Cemetery, in the county of Alle¬ gheny, be and they are hereby authorized to sell and dispose, either at public or private sale, so much of the ground purchased by them for burial purposes as has been severed and detached from the general enclosure of said Cemetery, by reason of the recent opening of the public road from the Pitts¬ burgh and Greensburg turnpike road to the Sharps- burg ferry, on the Allegheny river, and lying east of the said public road, and to convey to the vendee thereof such title as may be vested in the said com¬ pany ; any thing in any Act of Assembly heretofore passed, to the contrary notwithstanding. E. L. WEIGHT, Speaker of the House of Representatives. WM. PIATT, Speaker of the Senate. Approved the 11th day of April, A. I). 1856. JAMES POLLOCK. Acts of Assembly. 57 AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE CITIZENS RESIDING- WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE ALLEGHENY CEMETERY TO VOTE IN THE BOROUGH OF LAWRENCEVILLE. Section 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsyl¬ vania , in General Assembly met , and it is hereby en¬ acted by the authority of the same , That the citizens residing within the limits of the “ Allegheny Ceme¬ tery/’ in the county of Allegheny, qualified and having a right to vote at the general elections of this Commonwealth, shall vote at the general and county elections, at the usual place of holding such elections, in the borough of Lawrenceville, in said county, and at no other place, hereby declaring it not to be the object of this law, otherwise than above provided, to change the limits of any township, or local rights and privileges of the above mentioned citizens. J. LAWRENCE GETZ, Speaker of the House of Representatives. DAVID TAGGART, Speaker of the Senate. Approved the 18th day of April, A. D. 1857. JAMES POLLOCK. 5 58 The Allegheny Cemetery. AN ACT RELATIVE TO ALLEGHENY CEMETERY. Section 1 . Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsyl¬ vania, in General Assembly met , and it is hereby en¬ acted by the authority of the same, That the managers of the Allegheny Cemetery, in the county of Alle¬ gheny, be, and they are hereby authorized to sell and dispose of, either at public or at private sale, a cer¬ tain tract or parcel of land, adjoining the lands of John H. Shoenberger, and known as the Ewalt pur¬ chase, containing eight acres and thirteen perches, more or less, and to re-invest the proceeds thereof in the purchase of other lands adjoining said Cemetery, and also to sell, exchange or acquire such further tracts or parcels of land as may, by the said board of managers, be deemed expedient or advisable, with the view of bringing the grounds of the said Cemetery into a more convenient shape: Provided, that the additional ground so acquired shall not exceed one hundred acres, and shall be subject to the restrictions and immunities in the charter of said corporation, and be used only for the burial of the dead, with¬ out distinction of creed or sect, and the ornamenting and improving of the same. Section 2. That the said corporation may take Acts of Assembly. 59 and hold any grant, donation or bequest of property upon trust, to apply the same, or the income thereof, under the direction of the hoard of managers, for the improvement or embellishment of the said Cemetery, or for the erection, repair, preservation or renewal of any tomb, monument or grave-stone, fence, railing or other erection, or for the planting and cultivation of trees, shrubs, flowers or plants, in or around any Cemetery lot, or for improving the said premises in any other manner or form consistent with the design and purpose of the Act of incorporation, according to the terms of such grant, donation or bequest. Section 3. That all grants, donations or bequests of money, which shall be made in accordance with the provisions of the foregoing section, the annual income of which only is directed, by the terms of such grant, donation or bequest, to be applied to any of the purposes set forth in said section, shall be in¬ vested by said board of managers, either in ground rents, mortgages upon otherwise unincumbered real estate in the county of Allegheny, or the stocks or loans of the Commonwealth ; and the said managers shall not be responsible for their conduct of such trust, except for good faith, and such reasonable dili¬ gence as may be required of mere gratuitous agents: Provided , that the said managers shall in no case be obliged to make any separate investment of any sum so given ; and that the average income derived from 60 The Allegheny Cemetery. all funds of the like nature, entrusted to the corpora¬ tion, shall be divided and apportioned annually to the credit of said lot or parcel of lots entitled there¬ to, and the same be expended in accordance with the direction or intention of the donor or grantor. JOHN H. TOMPSON, Speaker of the House of Representatives,pro tern. W. M. FRANCIS, Speaker of the Senate . Approved the 6th day of March, A. D. 1860. WM. F. PACKER. The following important Act was passed at the last session of the Legislature : AN ACT FOR THE FURTHER PROTECTION OF CEMETERIES IN THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA. Section 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsyl¬ vania, in General Assembly met, and it is hereby en¬ acted by authority of the same, That it shall be lawful for the trustees, directors or other officers of all organ¬ ized cemeteries within this State, to appoint as many day and night watchmen of their grounds as they may deem expedient; and such watchmen, and also Acts of Assembly. 61 all of their superintendents, gardeners and agents stationed on said grounds, are hereby authorized to take and subscribe before any mayor or justice of the peace in the township where such cemeteries may be situated, an oath of office, similar to the oath required by law of constables; and upon the taking of such oath, such watchmen, superintendents, gardeners and agents shall have, exercise and possess all the powers of police officers within and adjacent to said cemetery grounds; and they, and each of them, shall have power to arrest, on view, all persons engaged in vio¬ lating the laws of this State in reference to the pro¬ tection, care and preservation of cemeteries, and of the trees, shrubbery, structures and adornments therein, and to bring such persons so offending before a mayor or justice of the peace within such township, to be dealt with according to law. Approved the 9th day of April, A. D. 1873. 62 The Allegheny Cemetery. REPORT OF 1848. The grateful enterprise of establishing, in the vicinity of Pittsburgh, a rural repository for the dead, had, at an earlier period, been a favorite subject with several of our citizens; * but it was not till the fall of 1843 that it arrested any considerable degree of the public attention. Similar undertakings in the older and richer cities of the East, had been eminently successful; yet with some it was deemed a matter of doubt, whether the population of Pittsburgh, proverbial for their habits of industry and rigid economy, would feel prepared to render the necessary aid to insure success. The practice of burying the dead in populous cities, had been condemned by eminent medical writers, as prejudicial to the health, as in too many instances it was repugnant to the feelings of the living. Some of our oldest church-yards did not afford room for a single interment, without desecra- *As early as 1834, an attempt was made by Dr. James R. Speer, Stephen Colwell and John Chislett, Esqs., to establish a Rural Ceme¬ tery in this neighborhood ; although unsuccessful at that time, two of the gentlemen have participated largely in recent and more successful efforts. Report of 1848. 63 ting the slumbering ashes of some departed friend or relative. The necessity for action had therefore be¬ come urgent, and a public meeting of citizens was convened at the rooms of the Board of Trade, to take the matter into consideration. All classes were represented, without distinction of creed or sect, animated by the one purpose of buying a common “ possession of a burying place.” The meeting was unanimous in its opinion, that the establishment of a Rural Cemetery was both expedient and practicable; and proceeded at once to appoint committees to pro¬ cure an Act of Incorporation, and select suitable grounds. The lamented Richard Biddle, one of the earliest and most efficient advocates of the measure, was appointed chairman of the committee to procure the charter; and the Act incorporating the “ Alle¬ gheny Cemetery,” as it passed the Legislature on the 21st of April, 1844, is believed to be precisely in the comprehensive form in which it emanated from his pen. The committee to select grounds, proceeded to the immediate discharge of its duty. Every tract of land lying north of the Monongahela and Ohio rivers, and within a range of three miles of the city, deemed at all suitable, was carefully explored. Several eli¬ gible locations were offered on reasonable terms; but the one reported as the choice of the committee, sup¬ posed to combine the greatest number of advantages, 64 The Allegheny Cemetery. was a tract of sixty acres, being the southern portion of the Hatfield property of George A. Bayard, Esq., and constituting a part of the present Cemetery property. The organization of the company, aud the first election of officers and managers under the charter, took place early in the summer of 1844, the precise date of which cannot now be ascertained, owing to the destruction of the records and papers of the corporation in the memorable fire of the 10th of April, 1845; at that election Bichard Biddle was chosen President; Charles Avery, Thomas Bake- well, John H. Shoenberger. James B. Speer, Wilson McCandless and Thomas M. Howe, Managers; Nathaniel Holmes, Treasurer; and Thomas J. Big- ham, Secretary. The board of managers immediately appointed appropriate committees to mature plans for carrying out the objects of the charter. Prominent, and most important among these, was a committee to devise a plan for raising the necessary funds. Several schemes were suggested; one was to form a joint stock company, with a capital divided into shares, adequate to the purchasing of the grounds and put¬ ting them under proper improvement, and from the sale of lots, after reserving a sufficient fund for orna¬ menting and for repairs, to reimburse the stockholders by periodical dividends. Another was to solicit sub- LDLEY. Report of 1848. 65 scriptions by way of loans of money from the citizens, to be repaid with interest from the sales of burial lots, allowing to the lenders the right to apply the amount so loaned in payment of any burial lot which they might purchase; stipulating that any subscriptions made were to be regarded as void, unless in the judgment of the board of managers a sufficient amount should be subscribed to consummate the un¬ dertaking. The former of these two plans was deemed to be highly objectionable, when viewed in connection with the sacred character of the undertaking, and was promptly rejected, and the latter received the unanimous approval of the board. Subscription papers were accordingly opened, and the sum of $8,975 subscribed by thirty-five indi¬ viduals, whose names together with the amount of their several subscriptions, will be found in the latter part of this pamphlet. A committee of the whole board in the meantime had reviewed the various localities examined by the previous committee, and arrived at the conclusion that the grounds of Mr. Bayard were best adapted to the purpose of sepulture, and found that the sixty acres could be purchased from that gentleman for the sum of $15,000, on a credit so liberal as to render it reasonably certain, that with the subscrip¬ tions of $8,975 and the probable receipts from sales 66 The Allegheny Cemetery. of lots, the board would have no difficulty in meet¬ ing the payments and going forward with the neces¬ sary improvements. It should be mentioned in this connection, as an act of justice to Mr. Bayard, that he generously proposed to waive all lien upon the property in the shape of mortgage, thereby enabling the managers to execute deeds for burial lots in fee simple, without incumbrance, and trust to the good faith of a corpo¬ ration shielded by the very terms of its charter from execution for debt. An important objection to this selection, was the want of access to the ground by any of the principal thoroughfares leading from the city—the nearest approach being within about three hundred yards, by the Pittsburgh and Greensburg turnpike, at a point near the residence of Peter Kellar, Esq. A negotiation was accordingly opened with the heirs of Samuel Ewalt, the owners of the intervening prop¬ erty, for the right of way across their premises; but it was found that in consequence of the minority of one of the heirs, it would be necessary to invoke the Legislature for authority to enable the guardians to make the conveyance, or to clothe the courts with additional power, to grant an avenue of the desired width, under the survey of a jury. It became neces¬ sary, therefore, to postpone all further action until the assembling of the Legislature the ensuing winter. Report of 1848. 67 In the ensuing spring many of the subscribers to the fund shared largely in the losses occasioned by the great fire of the 10th of April, and it was deemed to be due to them that they should again be con¬ sulted as to their willingness to contribute. A com¬ mittee for this purpose was accordingly appointed, consisting of Richard Biddle, Wilson McCandless and T. J. Bigham, Esqs., who reported at a meeting of the corporators on the 6th of June, that all the sub¬ scribers were willing to be held responsible. At the meeting on the 6th of June, 1845, the corpo¬ rators, in pursuance of the requirements of the charter, proceeded to a new election of officers and managers. Mr. Biddle signifying his desire, on account of heavy losses by the fire, involving the necessity of renewed application to the duties of his profession, to retire from the board, the Hon. Thomas Irwin was elected President; Chas. Avery, Thomas Bakewell, John H. Shoenberger, Wilson McCandless, James R. Speer and Thomas M. Howe, were re-elected Managers; Nathaniel Holmes, Treasurer; and Jesse Carothers, Secretary. On the 10th of June the new board met. Mr. Bayard being present by request of the managers, proposed to sell his entire Hatfield property, east of the Butler road, containing about one hundred acres, including his mansion house and other improve¬ ments, for the sum of $50,000, and that he would 68 The Allegheny Cemetery. take the notes of the corporation guaranteed by re¬ sponsible individuals for $25,000, payable in five years, with interest; and for the remaining $25,000 would receive one-half of the proceeds of the sales of lots, after the expiration of five years, until the same was paid, with interest; and would make a deed free from all incumbrance to the corporation. This pro¬ position met with the unanimous approbation of the board of managers, and was accepted. A sufficient number of the corporators came for¬ ward with commendable liberality, and each became responsible for the sum of $1,000, and the purchase was fully consummated, and on the 10th of June, Mr. John Chislett, the intelligent architect and superintendent of the company, was authorized to proceed forthwith to survey and lay out the grounds preparatory to a public sale of lots. The plan was completed by the 27th of August, and the President authorized to advertise a public sale of lots, to take place on the 26th of September. The grounds were dedicated by appropriate relig¬ ious ceremonies on the 20th of September, on which occasion an original ode was sung, composed by our talented young townsman, Robert P. Nevin, Esq. The Throne of Grace was addressed in an eloquent prayer by the Rev. George S. Holmes, of the Meth¬ odist Episcopal Church, which was followed by a chaste and appropriate address from Professor Green, Beport of 1848. 69 of the Western Theological Seminary, and the service concluded by a benediction from that venerable pa¬ triarch of the church, the Bev. Francis Herron, D. D. At a meeting of the hoard of managers on the 20th of September, the following resolution was offered by Mr. Howe, and unanimously adopted: “ Resolved , That the hoard of managers, for them¬ selves and the corporators whom they represent, disclaim all intention or design of deriving any pri¬ vate or pecuniary advantage from the sale of burial lots; that it is the intention of the board of managers to appropriate the entire proceeds of such sales, first to the extinguishment of the debt assumed by the corporators in the purchase of the property, and in ornamenting the grounds, and after these objects are accomplished, then to create such a permanent fund as shall be thought adequate to keep the grounds in good condition through all time to come, and the remainder to devote to philanthropic and charitable uses.” The first public sale of lots was made on the 26th of September, at which time ninety-six lots were sold, producing the sum of $9,835. A Public Vault for the temporary reception of the dead, to be located in some eligible position in the city, formed a part of the original plan of the board 70 The Allegheny Cemetery. of managers, and has always been considered by them of primary importance. As early, therefore, as Oc¬ tober, 1845, the trustees of the First Presbyterian Church were applied to for permission to erect, in their yard, a receiving tomb; the application was favorably received by the trustees of the church, and permission granted, under suitable restrictions. The matter, however, met the decided disapprobation of a majority of the congregation, and the trustees were induced to revoke the grant. Informal application was then made to Trinity Church, with like results, when the managers of the Cemetery for the time were induced to forego further attempts. They do not despair, however, of being able to accomplish the object at no remote period, believing that the objec¬ tions with which they have heretofore been met, will be found altogether groundless, when the character of similar vaults in the eastern cities become more generally known. The second annual meeting of the corporators was held on the 6th of June, 1846. Thomas Irwin was re-elected President; Chas. Avery, John H. Shoen- berger, John Bissell, Wilson McCandless, James It. Speer and Thomas M. Howe, were elected Mana- agers; Nathaniel Holmes, Treasurer; and Jesse Carothers, Secretary. A statement of the financial affairs was presented to the meeting, showing the amount of sales, from Report of 1848. 71 the 26th Sept, to the 5th of June, to he $20,489 72 Of which amount there had been ap¬ propriated as follows: To pay George A. Bayard, $11,961 62 Improvements and expenses, 2,372 68—14,333 30 Leaving on hand a balance in favor of- the corporation of $6,156 42 It will be seen from the foregoing exhibit, that the managers had been nobly sustained by the pub¬ lic ; that the sales during the first eight months had amounted to four-fifths of the sum for which the corporators had issued their personal guaranty in the purchase of the property, and gave the most cheer¬ ing promise that the success of the enterprise would exceed the most sanguine hopes of its most ardent friends. Encouraged by results so flattering, the managers proceeded at once to the construction of improvements of a substantial character. The line of the property fronting on the road was enclosed by a stone wall eight feet in height, with a private Gothic gateway; and a secure board fence of the same height extend¬ ing around the entire property, designed to be re¬ placed at as early a period as the funds will permit, by an extension of the stone wall. The improvement of the grounds was assiduously prosecuted during the year, according to the original plan, by extending and gravelling the avenues, plant- 72 The Allegheny Cemetery. ing shrubbery, ornamental flowers, &c., the sale of lots keeping pace with the progress of the improve¬ ments. The third annual meeting was held on the 6th of June, 1847, at which time Messrs. Irwin and Avery signified their wish to retire from the board. Thomas M. Howe was elected President; John H. Shoenber- ger, John Bissell, Wilson McCandless, James R. Speer, Jesse Carothers and Nathaniel Holmes, were elected Managers; and John Finney, Jr., Secretary and Treasurer. During this year the improvements of the ground were greatly advanced by extending the old, and adding new avenues, and putting in proper condition, for sale, several new sections. A contract was also made with William W. Wallace for constructing the principal gateway, which is to be of the castellated Gothic style of architecture. Arrangements were made, on the 17th of March, for paying a merited tribute of respect to the memory of two gallant officers of the United States Navy- Corn. Joshua Barney and Lieut. James L. Parke ; the former of whom died while on a casual visit to this city, in the year 1818, and whose remains had been interred in the church-yard of the First Presby¬ terian Church. The latter died with his armor on, and at his post of duty, off the coast of Mexico, during the recent war with that country. The managers of the Cemetery had appropriated a beautiful spot in k' S. V. ALBEE. Ph. REV. CHARLES AVERY. Report of 1848. 73 the most commanding position in the grounds, and dedicated it as a burial place for naval heroes, under the name of Mount Barney. To this spot the remains of the two gallant officers were removed on the 12th day of May, 1848, accompanied by such appropriate manifestations of respect as were due to their illus¬ trious deeds, and which have been faithfully chron¬ icled in an eloquent address delivered upon that occasion by our fellow-citizen, Wilson McCand- less, Esq. The religious services were conducted by Prof. Alexander T. McGill, D. D., whose truly eloquent prayer it had been the wish of the board of managers to perpetuate in the same record with the address. The effort, however, having been entirely impromptu, the Doctor’s Christian candor induced him to decline an attempt to copy it from memory. At the fourth annual meeting, on the 5th of June, 1848, the officers and managers of the preceding year were unanimously re-elected. The treasurer’s state¬ ment of 'the financial affairs of the corporation exhib¬ ited its resources as adequate to the payment in full, both principal and interest, of the remaining balance due Mr. Bayard on the first installment of $25,000, and leave a sufficient sum on hand to prosecute the improvements. The managers had expected that the principal Gateway, together with the Porter’s Lodge connected 6 74 The Allegheny Cemetery. therewith, would have been finished during the present season, hut disappointments in the receipt of stone, which are transported from the vicinity of Freeport, in Armstrong county, will necessarily pro- tract the period of its completion till the middle of next year. The work, so far as it has progressed, has been executed in the most satisfactory manner, creditable alike to the skill of the mechanic by whose chisel the rough stone has been moulded into shape, and to the intelligent architect whose pencil first traced the design. It is now a little more than three years since the improvements of the. Allegheny Cemetery were first commenced. Within this period about eighteen acres have been surveyed and laid out into sections and lots,, of which about twelve acres have been sold. Three miles of avenues have been opened, nearly all of which have been gravelled; six hundred and thirty lots have been sold; fifteen lots have been improved by being inclosed within an iron fence; sixteen have been inclosed with marble posts and chains! There have been erected forty-three marble monuments and three vaults. The first interment was made on the 4th of Sep¬ tember, 1845, being the daughter of George A. Bay¬ ard, Esq., and wife of James A. Briggs, Esq., of Cleveland, Ohio. The whole number of interments to the present time, is five hundred and five. Report of 1848. 75 The following statement, from the Treasurer’s books, exhibits the fiscal affairs of the corporation, from the beginning of the enterprise to the 21st of October, 1848. RECEIPTS. Total amount of sales to 21st Oct., 1848, $50,896 33 Received for interments, &c., - - 631 25 Received from Chas. S. Bradford, Esq., 50 00 Total receipts, - - $51,577 58 DISBURSEMENTS. Paid George A. Bayard on account of purchase, - - $22,503 67 Paid for improvements, 11,324 51 Paid expenses, salaries, &c., 3,498 12 Paid interest, - - 269 36 Paid stock and tools on grounds, 751 21 Total disbursements, - $38,346 87 Leaving a balance in favor of the cor¬ poration, as follows, viz.: Cash on hand, $ 188 29 Notes in hands of treasurer, 3,269 89 Due for lots sold, - - 9,772 53 Available resources,- 13,230 71 $51,577 58 76 The Allegheny Cemetery. The foregoing summary of the proceedings of the corporation, hastily compiled under 'the direction of the hoard of managers, amidst the pressure of other duties, is believed to comprise all the operations calculated to interest the lot-holders, or the public at large. It has been no part of the design of this brief report to enter into a description of the grounds. For readers at home such a task would be alto¬ gether a work of supererogation. In the admirable adaptation of the soil to the purposes of sepulture, and the picturesque beauty of its surface, diversified by hill and dale, and running brook, nature has done all that the most fastidious taste could desire. The hand of man, under the skillful supervision of the accomplished 'architect of the company, John Chislett, Esq., has already accomplished much in the way of ornament. The enterprise, however, is yet in its infancy; but a foundation has been laid, on which a liberal and generous public will rear a mighty “ city of the dead/’ to which, when the cares and anxieties of life shall have been laid aside forever, we, and our posterity for unnumbered generations to come, will be gathered in peaceful repose, to await the final con¬ summation of all things. ' Submitted in behalf of the board of managers, by THOMAS M. HOWE, President. Repoet of 1857. 77 REPORT OE 185 7. The Allegheny Cemetery was incorporated by the Legislature of Pennsylvania on the 24th of April, 1844, and its beautiful grounds dedicated to the pur¬ poses of sepulture, by appropriate religious services, on the 20th of September, 1845. From that period to the present it has continued to receive, as the managers would fain believe it to have merited, unmistakable tokens of the popular regard. The circumstances attending the initiation of the enterprise, which have been detailed in previous Reports, and the wholly unselfish principles upon which it was based, have not failed, as it was believed they would not, to challenge the sympathies of the public, and enlist its generous and cordial co-opera¬ tion. Unlike many kindred enterprises, no purposes of private speculation, or individual emolument, have been permitted to enter here. The contributions and responsibilities of such of the corporators as united in the undertaking, were made and assumed with no hope of pecuniary reward; the entire funds arising from the sale of burial lots having been specifically 78 The Allegheny Cemetery. dedicated, by one of the earliest official acts of the company, to the purchase and improvement of the grounds, and keeping them in perpetual repair through all future time—and no part of the same can, under any circumstances, enure to the corpo¬ rators. It is this feature of its organization, the knowledge on the part of each several purchaser of a lot, that the amount of money which he contributes is to be wholly expended in improving and beautifying the grounds, instead of being diverted, in whole or in part, to the pockets of the corporators, that has se¬ cured so large a measure of success, and enabled the managers, with just pride, to challenge comparison with any similar undertaking in any part of the country. Not quite twelve years have yet elapsed, but in that comparatively brief period the enterprise has been placed upon a secure and substantial foundation, fully equalling the most confident predictions of its most sanguine friends. The receipts of the company in that period have amounted— From sales of lots and ground, to - $182,729 73 From interments and removals, - 20,976 61 From other sources, - 560 12 Making the total receipts, $204,266 46 Report of 1857. 79 Total receipts, - $204,266 46 Of which there has been expended as follows: Paid George A. Bayard, Esq., for pur¬ chase of property, - $50,000 00 Paid R. L. Ewalt, for do., 9,134 87 Paid Mrs. Eliza A. Mowry and sons, on account of purchase of property,— $22,595, less amount un¬ paid, $8,595, - - 14,000 00 Paid Bishop O’Connor, for right of way between the Cemetery grounds and the Pittsburgh and Greens- burg turnpike, - - 1,715 00 Paid William Young on account of purchase from him not yet fully per- fected, - 10 00 Expended for labor and im¬ provements, 60,761 30 Paid for interest, - 14,009 69 General expenses, 27,892 63 Stock and tools, - 1,460 37 Total disbursements, - $178,983 86 Leaving a surplus of $ 25,282 60 80 The Allegheny Cemetery. consisting of— Cash in hands of Treasurer and Super¬ intendent, Bills receivable, - Accounts receivable, Bonds and mortgages $2,788 50 6,927 29 2,514 11 13,052 70 $ 25,282 60 By the sixth section of the Act of Incorporation, it is made the duty of the managers, out of the proceeds of sale of burial lots, to create a fund to be invested in ground rents or mortgages, the income whereof shall he of adequate amount, and applied as may he necessary, for the improvement and perpet¬ ual maintenance of the Cemetery in proper order and security. The $13,052.70 of bonds and mortgages, comprised in the foregoing statement, have been specially set aside towards the creation of that fund. The only remaining indebtedness of the company is an unpaid balance to Mrs. Eliza Mowry and sons, on account of the ground purchased from them, of $8,595. This amount is not payable, by the terms of the contract, until October 1st, 1867, yet it is the purpose of the board of managers to extinguish it as early as a due regard to the prosecution of the many improvements will permit. Two or three years, at most, it is thought, will suffice to accomplish it, after which the board will be enabled to augment the re- Report of 1857. 81 served fund more rapidly. It ought to be observed in this connection, however, that a much larger amount has been appropriated already to the creation of this fund and the extension of the improvements, than is required by the terms of the charter. It is a primary object in the management of the business of the com¬ pany, to carry forward the permanent improvement of the grounds as rapidly as possible, there being no longer a doubt in the minds of any one that the means from which to accumulate a reserved fund, fully adequate to the purposes for which it is intended, will be entirely ample, after the improvement of the grounds, according to the present design, shall have been consummated. The grounds of the company consist at present of the original Hatfield property, purchased of George A. Acres . Roods . Perche8 . Bayard, amounting to 100 1 08 T 3 ^ Lands adjoining the above, pur¬ chased from Mrs. Eliza A. Mowry and sons, - 56 1 38 T %% Land purchased from Bishop O’Con¬ nor, for an avenue 100 feet in width from the Cemetery to the Pittsburgh and Greensburg turn¬ pike, - - - - - 22 04 Land purchased from R. L. Ewalt, 8 0 13 T 6 ^ 167 1 S4M 82 The Allegheny Cemetery. making in all one hundred and sixty-seven acres, one rood and thirty-four perches. The board have negotiated with William Young for the purchase of a small tract containing about eight acres, adjoining the Cemetery grounds on the east, which was found desirable to straighten our lines upon that side, and at the same time give a more perfect command of the small stream of water which now runs partly upon the grounds of the Cemetery and partly upon the tract named. When this purchase is perfected, which now only awaits the execution of the necessary title papers, our grounds will somewhat exceed one hundred and seventy-five acres—being considerably the largest single tract in this country devoted to purposes of sepulture, that of Greenwood, at New York, alone excepted. The ground was broken for the first interment in September, 1845. From that time to the first of June, 1857, the number of interments other than removals, were 3,815 ; of removals principally from the city grave-yards, there were in the same time 1,822, making the whole number of interments since the first opening of the grounds, 5,637 —occurring in the several years as follows: Report of 1857. 88 Original Interments. Removals. Total. In 1845, 8 0 8 In 1846, 29 38 67 In 1847, 111 80 191 In 1848, 193 114 307 In 1849, 275 324 599 In 1850, 319 141 460 In 1851, 362 82 444 In 1852, 381 57 438 In 1853, 383 135 518 In 1854, 695 722 1,417 In 1855, 462 55 517 In 1856, 407 44 451 To June 1, 1857, 190 30 220 Total, 3,815 1,822 5,637 There have been sold one dred and thirty-five lots. thousand nine hun- One hundred and forty-three lots have been enclosed with iron fences; eighty-five with fences of stone, some of which are executed with an elaborate¬ ness and chasteness of design equalling, if not sur¬ passing, anything of the kind to he found in the United States; forty-five have been enclosed with stone posts and iron bars or chains, and thirty-five with hedges. There have been erected two hundred and ninety- five monuments, and five private vaults or tombs. 84 The Allegheny Cemeteky. The general improvement of the grounds has been steadily prosecuted, under the skillful supervision of the superintendent, John Chislett, Esq,, and his efficient assistant, John Chislett, Jr., until most of the main avenues and carriage ways are well nigh com¬ pleted. Somewhat more than five miles and a quarter are entirely finished and gravelled, together with about one mile and a quarter of gravelled walks. Over twenty thousand trees and shrubs have been set out within the enclosure, independently of those planted by private lot-holders. Much attention has also been paid to the cultivation of flowers and flowering shrubs, which have been so skilfully disposed in the various parts of the grounds, as to make the Alle¬ gheny Cemetery, in the season of their bloom, wear more the appearance of a garden of flowers than that of a sombre repository of the ashes of the dead. Inquiries are not unfrequently made upon the subject of a Receiving Vault, to be located in the city. It has been thought desirable, in many re¬ spects, that some provision should be made which would abridge the cost of funerals, by providing some temporary deposit for the dead within the city, from which a removal to the Cemetery could be sub¬ sequently made, at the convenience of the immediate friends of the deceased. The best efforts of the managers to accomplish this object have proved ineffectual. Repeated ap- Report of 1857. 85 plications have been made to the proprietors of the several city church-yards for permission to erect a receiving tomb within their enclosure, but have always been declined. There has been for several years a growing anti¬ pathy to structures of this sort in densely populated cities. They have been for some time entirely ex¬ cluded from or disused in the city of London; and the same is also true of New York. Greenwood Cemetery, in the neighborhood of New York, had four receiving tombs within the city; but the popular prejudice against them became so strong, that their use has been for some time abandoned. In view of these results, therefore, it is probably as well that our efforts in this respect have proved abortive. A Receiving Vault, or Mausoleum, is, however, a desirable, if not a necessary appurtenant to the Cemetery, as a temporary deposit for strangers dying in the city, whose remains are intended for removal. Instances of death sometimes occur, too, under cir¬ cumstances which involve doubt in the minds of friends whether it may not be a case of suspended animation only; some provision for cases of this sort has, therefore, been thought desirable. To provide for such exigencies, the managers have contracted for the building of a Mausoleum and Receiving Tomb upon the Cemetery grounds, of which it is enough to say, that while it will be in every respect adapted to 86 The Allegheny Cemetery. the purposes intended, it will he, at the same time, alike creditable to the corporation and the accom¬ plished superintendent, to whose skill and excellent taste we are indebted for the design. While the managers have abundant cause of grat- ulation at the successful result of their efforts to render the Allegheny Cemetery a monument of the liberality and good taste of the citizens of Pittsburgh and its vicinity, their congratulations are mingled with a feeling of sadness, by the reflection that nine of their compeers in the inauguration of the work, almost one-fourth of their number, have passed away from the busy scenes of life, and yielded their places to others. Richard Biddle, Harmar Denny, Frederick Lo¬ renz, H. D. Sellers, George Hogg, Nathaniel Holmes, John Freeman, William Lippincott and William J. Totten, are names imperishably associated with the early history of the enterprise, now registered with the dead. These grounds, upon which nature has been so prodigal of her charms, under skilful culture, year by year, have continued to increase in beauty. Sacred associations cluster here. These grassy mounds and little tumuli of earth are consecrated by a thousand tender recollections connected with the once-loved forms that sleep beneath. And, day by day, there come up from the dusky atmosphere of ALBEE. Photo. Report of 1857. 87 yon smoky city, stricken hearts to pay the tribute of a tear to the memory of the “ loved and lost,” and to offer up to the great Disposer of events a fervent acknowledgment for his goodness, in teaching them, even by afljliction, what all else had failed to teach— that first great lesson of the Decalogue—that God requires the supreme affections of the heart. THOMAS M. HOWE, President. 88 The Allegheny Cemetery. .REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT. \ To the Corporators of Allegheny Cemetery: Gentlemen— I have the pleasure to report that since the date of my appointment, August 7, 1867, the work of improving and ornamenting the grounds of the Cemetery, which had been conducted for the twenty-five years previous to that date by my father and predecessor, has since been progressing steadily and satisfactorily, in accordance with the designs and plans which he initiated. It appears from the records of your proceedings, that at a meeting of the corporators held June 27, 1868, the erection of an additional gateway for funerals was recommended, and the superintendent directed to prepare plans and estimates for the same. Itis^also stated, that at a subsequent meeting of managers held September 26, 1868, it was suggested by the superintendent that a new and more conve¬ nient building had become necessary for the trans¬ action of the increasing business of the Cemetery, the plan and proximate estimates for which were submitted for their consideration. After a full Report of Superintendent. 89 discussion of the subject at this meeting, the follow¬ ing resolution was adopted : That the plans for a new gateway, road and offices, submitted by the architect, be adopted, referring the design of the gateway to the superintendent and improvement committee for such modification, if any, as they may deem expedient. Agreeably to these instructions, the new and ele¬ gant building, and the gateway adjoining it on Butler street, have been erected, at a cost of $60,000, and are now in daily use. The location of the offices at the entrance of the grounds- on Butler street is found to be more convenient than the former, both for the public and all persons transacting the business of the Cemetery. The building contains all the rooms necessary for business purposes—a suitable room on the 'second floor, neatly furnished, for meetings of the corpora¬ tors and managers, and a large and beautiful en¬ trance room on the first floor, furnished with sofas and chairs for the accommodation of visitors, more especially of ladies, who often require rest after the fatigue of rambling over the grounds. It is in contemplation shortly to erect a large and handsome fountain near the eastern end of the office buildings, which will add greatly to the beauty and attractiveness of the section near the entrance. In regard to the cost of making roads and avenues 7 90 The Allegheny Cemeteky. through the Cemetery, it is evident that the elevated and uneven character of a large portion of it must make the labor and cost of grading, preparing the road-bed and stoning, much greater than if the sur¬ face were more level. On this account frequent repairs are necessary, especially after heavy rains, from the constant wear of the carriages of visitors and those attending funerals, and of the heavy wagons used in hauling stone from the quarries, and monuments and other materials, over the grounds. From an accurate list kept for one month , during the last spring, it appears that ninety funerals, ac¬ companied by eight hundred and fifty-five carriages, passed through the gateway in that time, making one thousand seven hundred and ten passages over the roads, in and out, exclusive of those of carriages of vis¬ itors, and of wagons. The number in the same time of the year before, was about the sani3. From this fact some idea may be formed of the force of laborers necessary, and the cost of keeping the principal roads and avenues, now nearly ten miles in length, in good order. The number of laborers employed on the grounds varies from fifty to seventy-five in the summer, and from twenty-five to fifty in the winter. In reference to the price of lots, the company has established certain fixed rates, which they believe will be considered just and equitable, when the pecu- Report of Superintendent. 91 liar advantages of the situation, and the protection and security afforded by the charter for all time to come, are taken into view. The charge for a single interment of an adult, ranges from $10 to $25. In cases where the party or his or her friends are not able to pay that amount, a still less sum is required; and in extreme cases, the cost of digging the grave alone is charged. Half¬ lots, affording space for eight or ten interments, are sold at prices ranging from $75 to $200. Family lots containing 300 superficial feet, and affording space for twelve to fifteen interments, are sold at prices ranging from $200 to $600, according to location. As in cities and elsewhere, location , and the beauty and other advantages of particular spots, is regarded in fixing prices. On this account, when parties known to be in affluent circumstances select six, eight or ten family lots, in the most prominent and desirable situations, as is sometimes done, corres¬ ponding prices are expected, which are generally ar¬ ranged by private agreement with the superintendent, on terms satisfactory to both parties. In no instance will the price of a family burial lot in the Cemetery of 300 superficial feet, be equal to the one-tenth, often the one-twentieth of the prices paid per foot for sites on the principal streets in the city for the purpose of erecting banking and business houses. 92 The Allegheny Cemetery. In a number of the older Cemeteries of the country inclosures of all kinds around private family lots are prohibited; in others they are permitted only to a limited extent, being considered neither tasteful, necessary or durable, and as detracting greatly from the apppearance of the grounds. Iron fences become corroded and defaced with rust in a few years, and even hedges of the most approved shrubs, on many accounts, are objectionable, and are found by expe¬ rience not to be able to withstand the severe frosts of the winters of this climate. Curbs and corner posts of granite, marble, or some of the durable stones, are strongly recommended in their stead. JOHN CHISLETT, Sup erintendent. FRONT OF OFFIC Office Building. 93 THE OFFICE BUILDING. The building is located between the two entrance gates, immediately inside of the main entrance, with which it is connected by an open arched colonnade. Its principal front is towards the gate lodge, and has a southerly exposure—(the main gate is located on the opposite side of the road). Its other front (east) is turned towards the road leading from Butler street into the grounds, an area of intervening ground being preserved for embellishment, such as flower bed, a fountain, &c. The other side of the building (north and west) being exposed to view from Butler street, proper care has been taken in construction, style and workman¬ ship, to present an attractive and finished appearance. The style adopted for the building is the pure Gothic, thereby being in general harmony with the old principal entrance gate and the gate-lodge, both having the same style of architecture. The Gothic seemed to be the more appropriate, as it is the style generated and developed by the rise and progress of the Christian religion, expressive of that solemnity and dignity proper in structures for 94 The Allegheny Cemetery. religious and Cemetery purposes. Besides, this style not only admits, but requires variety in the general arrangement or clustering of masses, as well as in the details; it enables thus to arrange the rooms in a comparatively free and unconstrained manner, as may most completely answer the purposes for which they are to be used; to produce a varied and bold sky-line, by the properly topping out of the masses, and deep and broad shadows by the projecting or re¬ ceding portions of the structure, and finally to attract by a variety of detail and ornamentation, though these may be simple and applied only with due reserve. DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING. The building is constructed of stone and brick. The finishing of the rooms, doors, &c., is of solid walnut. Great care has been taken to prepare the foundations in the most substantial manner. All outside surfaces of the walls are dressed stone, and backed with brick; and all interior partitions are built of stone. The building is two stories high, with a tower at¬ tached of five stories—the first story 15 feet high, the second story 14 feet high. The first story contains an arched colonnade, 10 feet wide by 50 feet long; a waiting-room, 20 by 30 feet, with a small ladies’ dressing-room attached; the office, 16 by 20 feet; a Office Building. 95 stair hall, 14 feet 9 inches by 19 feet 4 inches, con¬ taining half-circular stairs; besides vestibules, fire¬ proof vault, water-closets,* &c. The second story contains the managed and treasurer’s room, 20 by 30 feet; the superintendent’s office, 16 by 20 feet, with vault attached—the stair-hall and small room in the tower having a winding stairs leading into the upper rooms of the same. ARRANGEMENT OF THE BUILDING. Entering through the small gate of the main en¬ trance, you enter the arcade; a door opens from the latter directly into the waiting-room, a room used for the accommodation of visitors to the Cemetery grounds; from this room a door leads to a ladies’ dressing-room, and another to the stair-hall. A door at the end of the arcade leads through a small arched vestibule into the general office, located on the south¬ eastern corner of the building, having two windows looking towards the Cemetery grounds, and two towards the front road-way ; connected with this, as with all of the offices, is a fire-proof vault. A door in this room connects with the stair-hall. Besides the outside doors under the arcade, there is a side- entrance provided on the eastern front, through the tower, opening into a vestibule under the tower, which connects with the stair-hall by an arched opening. A solidly built half-circular flight of stairs, 96 The Allegheny Cemetery. executed in black walnut, leads up to the second story hall, from which the managers’ and treasurer’s room (located above the waiting-room) and the office of the superintendent (located above the general office) are reached; from this hall a door leads into the tower, and a circular stairway in the same up into the clock-room. The extreme height of the tower is eighty feet above the surface of the ground, and in its upper story it carries a signal bell of 4,072 pounds, and in the story below the same, a clock, having four faces, two of which are illuminated. EXTERIOR OF THE BUILDING. The arcade consists of five arches, and has a grained arched ceiling; it is supported on piers with columns attached, and braced by light buttresses surmounted by pinnacles rising above the ornamen¬ tal arcade cornice. The end of the arcade is received against the projecting part of the building containing the general office. This part, the portion of the building containing the waiting and managers’ rooms, and the stair-hall, are all carried up two stories, but not of uniform heights, the tower high above them, the ladies’ dressing-room only one story, all clustered to form a sky-line of picturesque appearance. The part containing the waiting-room forms the principal body; it is topped out with battlemented Office Building. 97 cornice, a turret on each of its four corners, and a gable on its principal front. The office part, some¬ what lower than the one before mentioned, has also a battlemented cornice; in its second story an oriel window is built out, which not only greatly beauti¬ fies the outside appearance, but is also of utility in affording from the superintendent’s office a view towards the gateway and the grounds. The design and plans were drawn by Mr. Moser, of the firm of Barr & Moser, architects, of this city. The stonework was executed by Messrs. John and George Hinchliff, contractors, in stone from the quarries near Massillon, Ohio. 98 The Allegheny Cemetery. THE RECEIVING VAULT. Soon after the Report of 1857 the Receiving Vault was completed, and the following description was submitted by the architect, Mr. Chislett, together with a series of rules adopted by the board of directors for its management. The Mausoleum, or Receiving Vault, is a great acquisition to the Cemetery, and no less an ornament to the grounds. Indeed the want of a Receiving Vault in the central part of the city is no longer re¬ garded as an inconvenience. It is designed in the Gothic style of architecture, with a front of fifty- five feet, and thirty feet in height. Its internal ac¬ commodations will be ample for any emergency the city, with its present population, may require, and is so constructed, that at any time it can be enlarged, ad lib. Its arrangements consist of a central hall or corridor, twenty-five feet in length and nine feet in width, and on each side recesses, fitted up with her¬ metically closed cells, capable of containing sixty cases. In addition to this, there is a separate apart¬ ment for the accommodation of those doubtful cases of w H Receiving Vault. 99 decease which sometimes occur, where life seems held suspended between this and the future world. Here they can find temporary repose, under the watchful care and attention of friends, until all doubt shall have passed away, The inside will be arched and groined, and made as secure as the skill of our artisans .can devise. The material used in its construction is a brown . Freeport stone, of handsome retiring color, and of great durability. Although its architectural charac¬ ter will not be as elaborate as in many buildings of this kind, yet it is to be hoped that its simple fea¬ tures will be expressive of the purpose for which it is designed. And here it may be remarked, that good taste would dictate that all sepulchral erections should be free from that false imitation and meretri¬ cious ornament, which too often characterize the monuments of our day. Simplicity of form and per¬ manency of character are much preferable to more elaborate erections, which express nothing in their design; and, as far as practicable, the Gothic style should be recommended, as being the most expressive of the Christian’s hope. Fagan forms and devices, at their best, are ill adapted for a Christian burial ground. The position of this vault is nearly in the centre of the Cemetery, on elevated ground, where it will be readily accessible from each entrance. A recent writer 100 The Allegheny Cemetery. has described the church of St. Michans, in Ireland, and that of Kreutzburg, near Bon, on the Continent, as being built on absorbent soils of this kind, and where the interments made in their vaults have been preserved quite perfect for more than half a century without any apparent sign of decomposition. The antiseptic character of the soil is very conspicuous, nearly throughout the Cemetery, being composed of argillaceous sand and gravel; and this is remarkably , the case where this Vault is being erected, its base resting on a bed of this sand and gravel of great depth, and where there is no appearance of moisture or dampness. RULES FOR THE RECEIVING VAULT. As this Vault is erected to supply the urgent necessities of those who may not he prepared for permanent interment, the following Rules have been adopted for its government: 1. For opening and closing the Vault at any one time, a charge will be ma4e of $1.00. f 2. For each interment therein, and allowing the corpse to remain there not over one week, $5.00. 3. For every week over the first week, and not exceeding one month, $1.00 per week. Receiving Vault. 101 4. For every week exceeding one month, $2.00 per week. No corpse will be allowed to remain in the Vault over two months, except in seasons of inclement weather, or other unavoidable necessities; and in those cases only by special permission from the Board. 5. All interments made in this Vault must be in strong hermetically-closed cases. The cases will all he numbered and registered when deposited, so as to avoid all mistakes; and careful persons kept in attendance, to render such assistance to the bereaved, by watching or other¬ wise, as may tend to alleviate the feelings, and pro¬ mote neatness and order in all its arrangements. 102 The Allegheny Cemetery. Organized, 1844. OFFICERS AT DATE OF ORGANIZATION: Richard Biddle, President. MANAGERS: Charles Avery, James R. Speer, Wilson McCandless, Thomas Bakewell, John H. Shoenberger, Thomas M. Howe. Nathaniel Holmes, Thomas J. Bigham, Treasurer. Secretary. John Chislett, Superintendent. OFFICERS AT DATE OF ERECTION OF THIS BUILDING, 1872: Thomas M. Howe, President , (Elected 1846.) MANAGERS: Wilson McCandless, Elected 1844. John H. Shoenberger, Elected 1844. James R. Speer, Elected 1844. Jas. K. Moorhead, Elected 1850. Francis G. Bailey, Elected 1852. William Thaw, Elected 1865. Samuel Gormly, Secretary and Treasurer. John Chislett, Jr., Superintendent. John Chislett, Sr., was elected Superintendent by the first Board, and held the office from that time till the date of his death, January 29, 1869. Marble Tablet in Reception Room. Corporators. 103 ORIGINAL CORPORATORS. Thos. Bakewell, James R. Speer, Wm. Robinson, Jr., John Freeman, E. W. Stephens, T. M. Howe, John Chislett, T. J. Bigham, Wm. J. Totten, H. D. Sellers, Fred. Lorenz, Chas. Avery, Geo. Hogg, Jno. H. Shoenberger, H. Childs, Jacob Painter, Jno. Bissell, H. Sterling, A. M. Bryan, Wm. Lippincott, Dr. Wm. Kerr, E. D. Gazzam, R. S. Cassatt, Wm. Eichbaum, F. G. Bailey, Harmar Denny, R. C. Grier, George W. Jackson, Josiah King, Charles Brewer, W. McCandless, James S. Craft, George Ogden, Pollard McCormick, Jas. Laughlin, Richard Biddle, John D. McCord, Robt. Beer, Thomas Irwin, Nathaniel Holmes. 104 The Allegheny Cemetery. DECEASED CORPORATORS OF ORIGINAL LIST. Thos. Bake well, Win. Robinson, Jr., John Freeman, John Chislett, Sr., Win. Totten, H. D. Sellers, Fred. Lorenz, Charles Avery, George Hogg, John Bissell, Henry Sterling, A. M. Bryan, Wm. Lippincott, Dr. Wm. Kerr, Wm. Eichbaum, F. G. Bailey, Harmar Denny, R. C. Grier, Geo. W. Jackson, Charles Brewer, James S. Craft, George Ogden, * Nathaniel Holmes, Pollard McCormick, Richard Biddle, Thomas Irwin. NEW MEMBERS ELECTED AT DIFFERENT TIMES TO FILL VACANCIES. Jesse Carothers, A. Culbertson, William Holmes, C. F. Spang, R. W. Poindexter, C. S. Bradford, John Finney, John Bissell, Jr., Samuel Bailey, John Graham, G. W. Cass, W. K. Nimick, Charles Hays, George Black, Jas. B. Murray, F. Sellers, John Chislett, Jr., James M. Cooper, James Park, Jr., H. W. Williams, Corporators. 105 Wm. Bagaley, Win. B. McClure, N. Dyke, W. M. Shinn, Wm. Thaw, H. J. Lynch, Samuel Bea, J. K. Moorhead. NEW MEMBERS DECEASED. John Finney, John Graham, N. Dyke, B. W. Poindexter, W. B. McClure, Geo. W. Black, John Bissell, Jr., James M. Cooper. W. M. Shinn, Deceased of original corporators, 26 “ of new members, - 9 8 106 The Allegheny Cemetery. (liters anb Managers of tlje lUlcgjmii) Cemetern, FROM THE BEGINNING. FIRST ELECTION HELD IN 1844. Eichard Biddle, President. MANAGERS. Charles Avery, James E. Speer, Wilson McCandless, Thos. Bakewell, John H. Shoenberger, Thomas M. Howe. Nathaniel Holmes, Treasurer. Thos. J. Bigham, Secretary. SECOND ELECTION, HELD IN 1845. Thomas Irwin, President. MANAGERS. Charles Avery, Thos. Bakewell, Wilson McCandless, James E. Speer, John H. Shoenberger, Thomas M. Howe. Nathaniel Holmes, Treasurer. Jesse Carothers, Secretary. THIRD ELECTION, HELD IN 1846. Thomas Irwin, President. MANAGERS. Charles Avery, John Bissell, John H. Shoenberger, James E. Speer, Wilson McCandless, Thomas M. Howe. Nathaniel Holmes, Treasurer. Jesse Carothers, Secretary. Officers and Managers. 107 FOURTH ELECTION, HELD IN 1847. Thomas M. Howe, President. MANAGERS. John H. Shoenberger, James R. Speer, John Bissell, Jesse Carothers, Wilson McCandless, Nathaniel Holmes. John Finney, Jr., Secretary and Treasurer. FIFTH ELECTION, HELD IN 1848. Thomas M. Howe, President. MANAGERS. John H. Shoenberger, James R. Speer, John Bissell, Jesse Carothers, Wilson McCandless, Nathaniel Holmes. John Finney, Jr., Secretary and Treasurer. SIXTH ELECTION, HELD IN 1849. Thomas M. Howe, President. MANAGERS. John Bissell, James R. Speer, Wilson McCandless, Nathaniel Holmes. John H. Shoenberger, Jesse Carothers. John Finney, Jr., Secretary and Treasurer. SEVENTH ELECTION, HELD IN 1850. Thomas M. Howe, President. MANAGERS. John Bissell, John H. Shoenberger, Wilson McCandless, Jesse Carothers, James R. Speer, J. K. Moorhead. John Finney, Jr., Secretary and Treasurer. 108 The Allegheny Cemeteey. EIGHTH ELECTION, HELD IN 1851. Thomas M. Howe, President. MANAGERS. John Bissell, John H. Shoenberger, Wilson McCandless, Jesse Carothers, James R. Speer, . J. K. Moorhead. John Bissell, Jr., Secretary and Treasurer. NINTH ELECTION, HELD IN 1852. Thomas M. Howe, President. MANAGERS. John Bissell, James R. Speer, Wilson McCandless, J. K. Moorhead, John H. Shoenberger, Francis G. Bailey John Bissell, Jr., Secretary and Treasurer. TENTH ELECTION, HELD IN 1853. Thomas M. Howe, President. MANAGERS. John Bissell, James R. Speer, Wilson McCandless, J. K. Moorhead, John H. Shoenberger, Francis G. Bailey. John Bissell, Jr., Secretary and Treasurer. ELEVENTH ELECTION, HELD IN 1854. Thomas M. Howe, President. MANAGERS. John Bissell, James R. Speer, Wilson McCandless, J. K. Moorhead, John H. Shoenberger, Francis G. Bailey. John Bissell, Jr., Secretary and Treasurer. Officers and Managers. 109 TWELFTH ELECTION, HELD IN 1855. Thomas M. Howe, President. MANAGERS. John Bissell, . James B. Speer, Wilson McCandless, J. K. Moorhead, John H. Shoenberger, Francis G. Bailey. John Bissell, Jr., Secretary and Treasurer. THIRTEENTH ELECTION, HELD IN 1856. Thomas M. Howe, President. MANAGERS. Wilson McCandless, James B. Speer, John Bissell, J. K. Moorhead, John H. Shoenberger, Francis G. Bailey, John Bissell, Jr., Secretary and Treasurer. FOURTEENTH ELECTION, HELD IN 1857. Thomas M. Howe, President. MANAGERS . Wilson McCandless, ' James B. Speer, John Bissell, J. K. Moorhead, John H. Shoenberger, Francis G. Bailey. John Bissell, Jr., Secretary and Treasurer. FIFTEENTH ELECTION, HELD IN 1858. Thomas M. Howe, President. MANAGERS James B. Speer, Francis G. Bailey, John Bissell, John H. Shoenberger, J. K. Moorhead, Wilson McCandless. John Bissell, Jr., Secretary and Ireasurer. 110 The Allegheny Cemetery. SIXTEENTH ELECTION, HELD IN 1859. Thomas M. Howe, President. MANAGERS. Wilson McCandless, James R. Speer, Francis G. Bailey, John H. Shoenberger, J. K. Moorhead, John Bissell. N. Dyke, Secretary and Treasurer. SEVENTEENTH ELECTION, HELD IN 1860. Thomas M. Howe, President. MANAGERS. James R. Speer, Wilson McCandless, John Bissell, John H. Shoenberger, J. K. Moorhead, Francis G. Bailey. N. Dyke, Secretary and Treasurer. EIGHTEENTH ELECTION, HELD IN 1861. Thomas M. Howe, President. MANAGERS. James R. Speer, John H. Shoenberger, John Bissell, Wilson McCandless, J. K. Moorhead, Francis G. Bailey. 1ST. Dyke, Secrrtary and Treasurer. NINETEENTH ELECTION, HELD IN 1862. Thomas M. Howe, President. MANAGERS. Wilson McCandless, John H. Shoenberger, Francis G. Bailey, James R. Speer, John Bissell, J. K. Moorhead. N. Dyke, Secretary and Treasurer. Officers and Managers. Ill TWENTIETH ELECTION, HELD IN 1863. Thomas M. Howe, President. MANAGERS. Wilson McCandless, James R. Speer, Francis G. Bailey, John H. Shoenberger, John Bissell, J. K. Moorhead. N. Dyke, Secretary and Treasurer. TWENTY-FIRST ELECTION, HELD IN 1864. Thomas M. Howe, President. MANAGERS. John H. Shoenberger, James R. Speer, John Bijssell, J. K. Moorhead, Wilson McCandless, Francis G. Bailey. 1ST. Ryke, Secretary and Treasurer. TWENTY-SECOND ELECTION, HELD IN 1865. Thomas M. Howe, President MANAGERS. John H. Shoenberger, James R. Speer, John Bissell, J. K. Moorhead, Wilson McCandless, Francis G. Bailey. N. Dyke, Secretary and Treasurer. TWENTY-THIRD ELECTION, HELD IN 1866. Thomas M. Howe, President. MANAGERS. Wilson McCandless, John H. Shoenberger, William Thaw, Francis G. Bailey, J. K. Moorhead, James R. Speer. N. Dyke, Secretary and Treasurer. 112 The Allegheny Cemetery. TWENTY-FOURTH ELECTION, HELD IN 1867. Thomas M. Howe, President. MANAGERS. Wilson McCandless, Francis G. Bailey, John H. Shoenberger, J. K. Moorhead, James B. Speer, William Thaw. Samuel Gormly, Secretary and Treasurer . TWENTY-FIFTH ELECTION, HELD IN 1868. Thomas M. Howe, President. MANAGERS. James R. Speer, Wilson McCandless, Francis G. Bailey, J. K. Moorhead, John H. Shoenberger, William Thaw. Samuel Gormly, Secretary and Treasurer . TWENTY-SIXTH ELECTION, HELD IN 1869. Thomas M. Howe, President. MANAGERS. John H. Shoenberger, J. K. Moorhead, Francis G. Bailey, William Thaw, James R. Speer, Wilson McCandless. Samuel Gormly, Secretary and Treasurer. TWENTY-SEVENTH ELECTION, HELD IN 1870. Thomas M. Howe, President. MANAGERS. John H. Shoenberger, Wilson McCandless, James R. Speer, J. K. Moorhead, Francis G. Bailey, William Thaw. Samuel Gormly, Secretary and Treasurer. JAMES WOOD —.... 1 1 - Officers and Managers. 113 TWENTY-EIGHTH ELECTION, HELD IN 1871. Thomas M. Howe, President. MANAGERS. John H. Shoenberger, William Thaw, James R. Speer, Wilson McCandless, Francis G. Bailey, J. K. Moorhead. Samuel Gormly, Secretary and Treasurer. TWENTY-NINTH ELECTION, HELD IN 1872. Thomas M. Howe, President. MANAGERS. J. K. Moorhead, Wilson McCandless, John H. Shoenberger, William Thaw, James R. Speer, William Holmes. J. R. Speer, Secretary and Treasurer. I 114 The Allegheny Cemetery. RULES AND REGULATIONS. CONDITIONS, LIMITATIONS AND PRIVILEGES, TO WHICH EVERY LOT IN ALLEGHENY CEMETERY IS SUBJECT. I. The proprietor of the lot shall have a right to enclose the same with a wall or fence, not exceeding eighteen inches in height, exclusive of the railing, which shall he placed on the lines of said lot. II. The said lot shall not he used for any other purpose than as a place of hurial for the dead, and no trees within the lot or border shall he cut down or destroyed without the consent of the managers of the said corporation. III. The proprietor of the said lot shall have the right to erect proper stones, monuments, or sepul¬ chral structures, (except that no slah shall he set on edge over one foot six inches in height, unless it be four inches in thickness,) and to cultivate trees, shrubs and plants in the same. IV. The proprietor of the said lot shall erect at his or her expense, suitable land-marks of stone or iron, at the corners thereof, and shall also cause the number thereof to be legibly and permanently marked on the premises. And if the proprietor Rules and Regulations. 115 shall omit for thirty days, after notice, to erect such land-marks and mark the number, the managers shall have the authority to cause the same to be done at the expense of said proprietor. Y. If the land-marks and boundaries of said lot shall be effaced, so that the lot cannot with reason¬ able diligence be found and identified, the managers shall set off to the said grantee, his or her heirs or assigns, a lot in lieu thereof, in such part of the Cemetery as they see fit, and the lot hereby granted shall, in such case, revert to the corporation. VI. If any trees or shrubs situated in said lot, shall, by means of their roots, branches, or other¬ wise, become detrimental to the adjacent lots or ave¬ nues, or dangerous or inconvenient to passengers, it shall be the 1 duty of the said managers, for the time being, and they shall have the right, to enter into the said lot, and remove the said trees and shrubs, or such parts thereof as are thus detrimental, dangerous or inconvenient. VII. If any monument or effigy, or any structure whatever, or any inscription, be placed in or upon said lot, which shall be determined by the major part of said managers, for the time being, to be offen¬ sive or improper, the said managers, or the major part of them, shall have the right, and it shall be their duty, to enter upon said lot, and remove the said offensive or improper object or objects. 116 The Allegheny Cemetery. VIII. No fence shall at any time be placed or erected in or around any lot, the materials or design of which shall not first have been approved by the managers, or a committee of them. IX. The said lot shall be holden subject to the provisions contained in an Act of the General As¬ sembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, passed the 24th day of April, A. D. 1844, entitled “An Act to incorporate Allegheny Cemetery, in Allegheny County.” And also subject to the rules and regula¬ tions which may, from time to time, be adopted for the government of said Cemetery. X. All interments in lots shall be restricted to the members of the family and relatives of the pro¬ prietors thereof, except special permission to the con¬ trary be obtained, in writing, at the office of the corporation; and no disinterment shall be allowed, without permission from the corporation. Regulations Concerning Visitors. 117 REGULATIONS CONCERNING VISITORS. The secretary will issue to each proprietor of one or more lots, one ticket of admission into the Ceme¬ tery, under the following regulations, the violation of any of which, or a loan of the ticket, involves a forfeiture of the privilege. I. No person is admitted on horseback, or with a dog. IT. No person, with or without a vehicle, is admitted, unless accompanied by a proprietor, or a member of his or her household, with his or her ticket; but the managers may grant special tickets of admission. III. No vehicle is to be driven in the Cemetery, at a gate faster than a walk. IV. No horse is to be fastened, except at a post provided for this purpose. No horse is to be left unfastened, without a keeper. V. All persons are prohibited from gathering any flowers, either wild or cultivated, or breaking any tree, shrub or plant. 118 The Allegheny Cemeteey. VI. All persons are prohibited from writing upon, defacing or injuring any monument, fence or other structure, in or belonging to the Cemetery. VII. All persons are prohibited from discharging fire-arms in the Cemetery. VIII. The gates are opened at sunrise, and closed at sunset. IX. No money is to be paid to the porter. X. Xo persons are admitted on Sundays and holidays, excepting proprietors and members of their household, and persons accompanying them. XI. Children will not be admitted without their parents or guardians. XII. Xo persons having refreshments of any kind, will be permitted to come within the grounds, nor will any smoking be allowed. XIII. Persons having baskets, or any like article, must leave them in charge of the porter. XIV. Any person disturbing the quiet and good order of the place, by noise or other improper con¬ duct—or who shall violate any of the foregoing rules—will be compelled instantly to leave the grounds. XV. The superintendent is charged with the ex¬ ecution of these rules and regulations. Note. —Holders of proprietor’s tickets will please bear in mind that they are not transferable. They will not be recognized to admit others than members of the proprietor’s family, unless accompanied by some member thereof. Rules in Regard to Interments. 119 RULES I N REGARD TO INTERMENTS. The sexton, with his family, resides in the Ceme¬ tery, and will always be in attendance at funerals, to see that order and decorum prevails. All persons wishing to make interments in the Cemetery, must furnish at the office a statement of the name, place of birth, place of late residence, age in years, months and days, and the disease of the person to be interred, and also whether married or single; that an accurate registry of the same may be made on the books of the Cemetery. All interments made from within the limits of the city of Pittsburgh, must be accompanied with permit from Board of Health, and physician’s certificate of the decease; and all interments in private lots will be subject to the following charges, which, in all cases, must be paid before the interment take place. 120 The Allegheny Cemetery. OPENING, CLOSING AND SODDING OF GRAVES. Adult graves, usual depth of six feet, - - $5 00 for each additional foot over six feet, - 50 Children’s graves, under ten years, usual depth of six feet, - 4 00 for each additional foot over six feet, - 50 All foundations for monuments, headstones, &c., must he six feet in depth. All notices for interments should he given at the office of the Cemetery on the day previous to the interment, if possible, or at least six hours previous, that the grave may be prepared in due time ; and all brick vaulted graves should have twenty-four hours notice given for preparation. When interments are made in private lots, some of the parties interested should be in attendance to designate the exact spot they wish the grave made, as the sexton cannot be responsible for errors which might occur from want of such information. Suggestions in regard to Improvements. 121 i. SUGGESTIONS II REGARD TO IIPROYEMEITS. It must be evident to all proprietors of lots that the neatness and order of each individual lot, no less than the character and style of the improve¬ ment, are essential to the well-being of the Cemetery at large. In order to render lot-owners every facil¬ ity in this respect, the company have adopted a system styled the “Improvement Plan” by which pro¬ prietors, who may be so situated as to make it incon¬ venient for them to attend to their own lots, may avail themselves of this arrangement. Each lot entered on the Improvement List will be kept in perfect order throughout the year, and mown as often as necessary, and all the plants and shrubbery pro¬ perly cared for. As experienced hands are con¬ stantly kept for this purpose, it will be done at a cost much less than it would be possible for any private individual to accomplish it for. 9 122 The Allegheny Cemetery. The rate of charges adopted is as follows: For each first-class lot, with an ordinary amount of shrubbery, $8 per year. For two connected lots under one fence, 10 “ “ For four “ “ “ “ 12 “ “ For lots containing an extra amount of shrubbery, &c., additional charges will be made. Estimated Expenditure. 123 TABLE. ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE OF LOT-HOLDERS FOR MONU¬ MENTS, HEAD-STONES, FENCES AND CURBS, IN THE DIF¬ FERENT SECTIONS NOW OPENED. No. of Section. Marble. Granite. Stone. Iron. Total. 1 12,790 $ 2,500 $ 3,600: $ 1,050 $ 19,940 2 22,675 325 7,750 4,765 36,515 3 31,775 1,750 5.140 1,550 40,215 4 15,135 2,250 2,180 315 19,880 6 2,310 # # 1,050 # , 3,360 7 25,385 1,350 5,635 3,410 35,780 8 14,640 5,660 1,555 500 22,355 9 22,125 2,105 2,645 26,875 10 7,600 350 2,332 , , 10,282 11 52,725 6,200 14,955 4,125 78,005 12 45,605 2,175 9,567 4,240 61,587 13 38,885 9,400 19,785 1,100 69,170 14 58,985 2,950 13,785 3,650 79,370 16 30,165 18,100 11,720 700 60,685 17 31,375 1,200 2,050 2,465 37,090 18 37,310 1,300 17,710 . 175 56,495 19 56,340 41,985 19,405 1,575 119,305 20 7',245 11,560 2,565 9 # 21,370 21 43.655 1,475 17,400 700 63,230 22 20,595 , , 9,855 225 30,675 23 22,390 2,500 16,523 . . 41,413 24 6,940 1,835 . 8,775 25 30,585 3,700 21,995 625 56,905 26 1,950 450 16,415 18,815 29 25,390 1,455 1,770 28,615 30 4,530 1,780 275 6,585 31 24,055 3,400 ' 605 28,060 32 2,030 580 i 2,610 33 2,574 1,160 i 3,734 Single 1 graves, J 5,785 • • 5,785 Totals, . $704,549 >$117,180l$235,287 $36,465 i $1,093,481 124 The Allegheny Cemetery. TABLE, SHOWING THE ANNUAL NUMBER OF INTERMENTS FROM THE OPENING OF THE CEMETERY TO JAN. 1, 1873. Year. Original Interments. Removals. Total. 1845 8 0 8 1846 29 38 67 1847 111 80 191 1848 193 114 307 1849 275 324 599 1850 319 141 460 1851 362 82 444 1852 381 57 438 1853 383 135 518 1854 695 722 1,417 1855 462 55 517 1856 407 44 451 1857 432 47 479 1858 444 26 470 1859 500 48 548 1860 471 59 530 1861 485 55 540 1862 630 25 655 1863 767 87 854 1864 793 89 882 1865 659 85 744 1866 631 26 657 1867 656 97 753 1868 696 78 774 1869 740 45 785 1870 734 50 784 1871 832 54 886 1872 939 21 960 im* 711 21 732 14,745 2,705 17,450 * To June 1st. Annual Interments. 125 From the foregoing table it will be seen that from the opening of the Cemetery in 1845, to June 1, 1873, 17,450 persons have been interred. Since January 1, 1867, a period of six and a half years, 5,329 interments have been made. Of this number, 808 have been of persons over 60 years of age. Their ages were as follows : From 60 to 70, 317; 70 to 80, 291; 80 to 90,162; 90 to 100, 35; oyer 100 years, 3. Total, 808. Av¬ erage age of the whole number, over 70 years.. It is doubted whether any locality in the country can furnish evidence equally strong of the healthful¬ ness of the region, as shown by the longevity of its inhabitants. Their nativities were as follows: Ireland, - 230 New York, - - 16 Allegheny Co., 86 Scotland, - 13 Pennsylvania, 117 Maryland, - - 17 203 Virginia, - 10 England, - - 76 New Jersey, - - 8 Germany, - - 47 — Wales, - 18 638 The remainder were in small numbers, from dif¬ ferent States and countries. 126 The Allegheny Cemetery. NURSERY DEPARTMENT The general appearance and character of the Cem¬ etery will hear evidence of the propriety of the plan adopted by the company of keeping on the grounds a small nursery of well selected trees and shrubs suitable for ornamenting the lots. By rendering these facilities to those who may not wish to take the trouble of procuring shrubbery elsewhere, a much greater amount is planted out than would otherwise be. The list on the following pages comprises the leading varieties, nearly all of which have proved perfectly hardy on the grounds of the Cemetery. LIST OF TREES AND SHRUBS FOR SALE AT THE CEMETERY. BOTANICAL NAME. COMMON NAME. Abies Alba. “ Canadensis. “ Excelsa. “ Nigra. Spruce, White. “ Hemlock. “ Norway. Buxus Arborescens. u Aurea. Latifolia. “ Black. “ Box Tree. u Upright. “ Golden. Nursery Department. 127 Juniperus Communis. “ Sabina. “ Chinensis. u Suecica. u Virginica. Picea Balsamea. Pinus Austriaca. “ Cembra. “ Laricio. Taxus Baccata. 11 Hibernica. “ Stricta. Thuja Aurea. “ Occidentalis. “ Orientalis. “ Plicata. DECIDUOUS BOTANICAL NAME. Acacia Julibrissin. Acer Dasycarpum. u Negundo. u Pseudo Platanus. “ Saccharinum. iEsculus Hippocastianum. Ohiensis. Amygdalus Persica fl. pi. Azalea Nudaflora. u Pontica. Calycanthus Floridus. Catalpa Syringsefolia. Juniper, Upright. u Savin. cc Chinese. Swedish Juniper. Bed Cedar, Fir, Balm of Gilead. Austrian Pine. Siberian Pine. Larch. Yew, English. “ Irish. 66 Upright, Arborvitae, Golden. “ American. u Chinese. u Fan-Leaved. TREES AND PLANTS. COMMON NAME. Silk Tree. Silver-Leaved Maple. Ash “ “ English Sycamore. Sugar Maple. Horse Chestnut. Buckeye. Double-Flowering Peach. Wood Honeysuckle. “ Yellow. Sweet Scented Shrub. Common Catalpa. 128 The Allegheny Cemetery. Cerasus Mahaleb. “ Multiplex. “ Pendula. Cercis Canadensis. Chionanthus Virginica. Cydonia Japonica. Cytisus Laburnum. Deutzia Gracilis, “ Scabra, “ Crenata, Euonymus Americanus. Forsythia Yiridissima. Halesia Tetraptera. Hibiscus Syriacus, fl. pi. Larix Americana. u Europea. Ligustrum Vulgare. Liriodendron Tulipifera. Lonicera. Magnolia Acuminata. u Conspicua. u Cordata. tc Glauca. u Purpurea. u Macrophylla. u Tripetala. Philadelphus Coronarius. u Japonicus. Populus Balsamifera. u Dilatata. Austrian Cherry. Double-Flowering Cherry. Weeping Cherry. Judas Tree. Fringe Tree. Japan Quince. Golden Chain. ) Ornamental j Shrubs. Burning Bush. Golden Bell. Snowdrop Tree. Double-Flowering Althaea. American Larch. European Larch. Common Privet. Tulip Tree. Honeysuckle. Mock Orange. Japan Orange. Black Poplar. Lombardy Poplar. CARR Nursery Department. 129 And a great variety of other plants and shrubs suitable for ornamenting borders and lots. The Green House department of the Cemetery covers an area of 6,000 square feet, well stocked with a choice collection of Green and Hot-House plants, consisting of Camelias, Azaleas, Roses in variety, Geraniums, “ Verbenas, “ Phloxes, in great variety, Coleus, “ Ageratums, “ Pansies, “ Daisies, “ Ac., Ac. 130 The Allegheny Cemetery. HEIRSHIP OF LOTS IN CEMETERY. Pittsburgh, January 31, 1873. Dr. James R. Speer : Dear Sir —In your favor of Dec. 26, 1872, you inquire “as to the laws of Pennsylvania governing the heirship of lots in the Cemetery ; and suggesting, that in the course of a few generations much annoyance and inconvenience may arise, both to the Cemetery and the owners of lots therein, on this subject, and asking what plan, if any, can be adopted to avoid such difficulties while the ownership remains in the first purchaser.” On the death of the owner of a lot, who dies in¬ testate and without having made any disposition of the same by deed or otherwise, the lot descends to his heirs-at-law, viz.: 1st. To the children of the intestate. Should any have died, their children will inherit the parent’s share, and so on, in a descending line. 2d. In default of any such heirs, to the father and mother of the intestate, during their joint lives and the life of the survivor. 3d. In default of such heirs, to the brothers and Heirship of Lots. 131 sisters of the blood of the intestate, and their de¬ scendants. 4th. In default of such heirs, to the father and mother of the intestate in fee. The heirs-at-law have jointly a right to the dis¬ posal and use of the lot; neither of them alone has the right to the disposal of it. The wife of the intestate has the same interest in the lot that she has in other real estate of the intes¬ tate; but her interest, so far as the Cemetery is con¬ cerned, is nominal; she can neither dispose of it, or order interments to be made therein. I would respectfully submit to the Cemetery and to the lot-holders, the following for consideration, in order to avoid the difficulties apprehended: 1st. That your deeds to purchasers shall contain a clause, that the lots shall be held subject to such rules and regulations as may from time to time be adopted by the board of managers for the govern¬ ment of the Cemetery, unless such be the exisiting rule. 2d. That it be ascertained how many interments can be made with propriety in a lot of a given num¬ ber of feet, thus fixing a limit to the interments in a lot. 3d. That where the heirs are all of an equal degree, the first who is borne to the lot for burial be interred, and so on until the lot has received its appropriate number. 132 The Allegheny Cemetery. 4th. That the Cemetery convey lots to purchasers who may desire it, in such a manner as that the lots shall forever thereafter he inalienable, thereby ren¬ dering it impossible for their heirs-at-law to dispose of the same. In this way an undisturbed interment of their own remains, and those of their posterity, may be made. Or, 5th. Purchasers desiring to do so, may reconvey or devise to the Cemetery their lots, for the purpose of restricting interments therein to such persons or class of persons as they may designate in said con¬ veyance or devise, without power in the Cemetery to sell and convey said lots. The above suggestions may, to some extent, avoid the difficulties you apprehend. Yours respectfully, SAML. PALMER, Solicitor to Allegheny Cemetery. Deed to Purchased. 133 FORM OF DEED TO PURCHASER OF LOT. Know all men by these presents: That The Alle¬ gheny Cemetery, in consideration of. dollars, paid to them by .... of ... . the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, do here¬ by grant, bargain, sell and convey to the said . . . . . . heirs and assigns, . . . . lot of land in the Cemetery of the said corporation called “The Allegheny Cemetery/’ situate in Collins township, Allegheny county, and Commonwealth of Pennsyl¬ vania, which lot ... . delineated and laid down on the map or plan of the said Cemetery, as laid out by John Chislett, Esq., in the possession of the said corporation, and .... therein designated by the number.containing. superficial feet. To have and to hold the herein¬ above granted premises to the said .... heirs and assigns, forever; subject, however, to the condi¬ tions and limitations, and with the privileges specified in the rules and regulations hereto annexed. And the said The Allegheny Cemetery do hereby cov¬ enant to and with the said . . . . . heirs and assigns, that they are lawfully seized of the herein 134 The Allegheny Cemetery. above granted premises in fee simple ; that they have a right to sell and convey the same for the purposes above expressed; that the said premises are free and clear of all charges and incumbrances; and that they will warrant and defend the same unto the said .heirs and assigns, forever. In testimony whereof, the said The Allegheny Cemetery have caused this instrument to be signed by their President, and their common seal to be here¬ unto affixed, the . . . . day of.in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and .... Countersigned and Registered. . President. . Secretary. Deed of Trust. 135 ft FORM OF DEED OF TRUST OR RE-CON¬ VEYANCE TO CEMETERY. This Indenture, made the . . . . day of .18 . . , between .... of the county of Allegheny, State of Pennsylvania, party of the first part, and The Allegheny Cemetery, a corpo¬ ration in the county and State aforesaid, party of the second part: Witnesseth, that the said party of the first part, for and in consideration of the sum of one dollar, unto him in hand well and truly paid by the said party of the second part, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, has and by these presents doth sell and convey unto said Allegheny Cemetery and its successors, that certain lot No.in section .of said Cemetery. To have and to hold said lot in trust, nevertheless, inalienable, and for the interment of.and for no other interment. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this day and year above written. In presence of ^ .gd Jgigp In view of the comparative shortness of life, and the instability of hu¬ man affairs, there is, perhaps, no surer or better method by which the owner of a lot can provide for its permanent care and ownership, than to re-convey it, in trust , to the Cemetery Corporation, after he has made such improve¬ ments as he desires, and placed with the company a reasonable sum as an endowment; for the reason that, so far as careful legislation can secure these objects, the corporation is endowed with a perpetual existence , and bound faithfully to execute all trusts committed to its charge. 136 The Allegheny Cemetery. FORM OF BEQUEST TO ENDOWMENT FUND. [Form of Agreement between the Allegheny Cemetery Company and parties desiring to avail themselves of the provisions of the Act of Assembly, passed March 6, 1860, by which the company becomes obligated to have all lots entered on the Endow¬ ment List kept perpetually in good order.] This Agreement, made this . . day of . . . A. D. 18 . ., between.of the one part, and the board of managers of The Allegheny Ceme¬ tery, in the county of Allegheny and State of Penn¬ sylvania, of the other part: Witnesseth, that the said.has deposited with The Allegheny Cemetery Company the sum of.in consideration of which the said managers, for themselves and their succes¬ sors, hereby agree to receive and hold the said sum in trust forever, and invest the same with other funds of like character, and to apply the income therefrom, from time to time, under the direction of the mana¬ gers for the time being, to the repair and preserva¬ tion of any tomb or monument, or for planting or cultivating trees and shrubs, upon or in lot No. . . . I Deed of Trust. 137 section ... in the said Allegheny Cemetery* and the surplus, if any, at the end of each year, to remain as a sinking fund, to he applied solely and exclu¬ sively to the repair and keeping in order said lot No. . . . section . . . Provided , however , that the said managers shall never he responsible for their conduct in the dis¬ charge of such trust, except for good faith and such reasonable diligence as may he required of mere gratuitous agents; and provided, further, that the said managers shall in no case be obliged to make any separate investment of the sum so given, and that the average income derived from all funds of the like nature belonging to the corporation shall be divided annually, and carried proportionally to the credit of each lot entitled thereto. In witness whereof, the said .... hereunto set . . hand, and the said managers of The Alle¬ gheny Cemetery have hereunto set their corporate seal, together with the signatures of their President and Secretary, this . . . day of . . . . . President. Secretary. 10 138 The Allegheny Cemetery. STATISTICS TO BE FURNISHED ON AP¬ PLICATION FOR BURIAL. Allegheny Cemetery. Name of Deceased, . Place of Nativity, . Late Residence, Date of Decease, Disease, . . . . No. . . . form’ of order for interment. No. . . . Pittsburgh, ... 18 . . Superintendent of Allegheny Cemetery: You will please . Lot No. . . Sec. . . and I will pay the account for the same. Yours, &c., Residence, .. Lots are held as security for all work done on them. Ornamentation of Cemeteries. 139 THE ORNAMENTATION AND ARRANGE¬ MENT OF CEMETERIES. It will be remembered that shortly after the open¬ ing of Mount Auburn, at Boston, visitors flocked from all parts of the country to see for themselves the arrangements and practical workings of the new system. All were delighted with it, as a new and important advance in the civilization of the age—lifting from the grave the dark and gloomy cloud that overhangs it, throwing around it the rainbow tints of hope and promise—and suggesting, by the vernal revival and bloom of nature, the revival and bloom also of the immortal soul of man, and its continued existence through a period not to be measured by the solar machinery that marks the flight of ages and centuries, but by the cycle of an endless eternity. The idea took the country by an agreeable sur¬ prise, and in a few years the principal cities in the Union had each its beautiful Cemetery. The style and character of improvements and ornamentation proper for Cemeteries, became matters 140 The Allegheny Cemeteey. of interest and discussion to architects and landscape gardeners, and more especially to proprietors of Cemeteries and burial lots. Emulation soon sprung up even between different cities, that vied with each other in regard to the attractiveness and extent of the grounds they had appropriated to this purpose. There is reason to fear that the highly cultivated sense of the beautiful in nature and art, in the minds of the parties controlling some of these institutions, has led them to trespass upon the more deep and sacred sentiments in the breasts of persons and fami¬ lies who had selected those spots for the repose of those most dear to them. Some have gone so far as to merge the controlling idea of a Cemetery in that of a general park, whose lawns should rather be a place of general resort, attractive to mere seekers of pleas¬ ure, or of relaxation from business and the ordinary occupations of life. There is a marked significance in the word Ceme¬ tery. It is derived from the Greek, and signifies a sleeping ground. Embellished as it may be with landscape and lawn, and high ornamentation, it is’ nevertheless, a sleeping ground, a resting place, as it were, for the worn-out traveller on his journey to the unseen land—a gateway through which all must pass onward, though none are permitted to come back to revisit the scenes and friends they left behind them. Its perspectives and back-grounds are shadowy and Ornamentation of Cemeteries. 141 sombre, but to the eye of enlightened faith they are relieved, softened and illuminated by the light that falls from above, bringing into view the scenery and landscapes of a brighter and better land. To present the idea in the words of those who advocate what is called the Landscape Lawn plan, we may quote from a recent publication : “ It is claimed that the chief fault in the older Cemeteries is too much ornamentation of individual lots without regard to the general effect, while the lawn plan aims rather to form a consistent whole, than to secure the adornment of particular spots ; in fact, by obtaining all the landscape effect possible, to make a beautiful and pleasing picture, thus blending the elegance of a park with the pensive beauty of a burial place.” The managers of another Cemetery have estab¬ lished the following regulations: I “ All lot inclosures of any hind whatever are pro¬ hibited. The boundaries of lots will be marked at the expense of the Cemetery, by galvanized iron plates fastened at the corners of each lot, even with the surface of the ground, and showing, in raised let¬ ters and figures, the number of the lot and section. “ Only one monument will be permitted to be erected on each lot , the foundations of which, of solid ma¬ sonry and at least six feet in depth, will be built by the company at the expense of the owner. “ Head-stones and foot-stones are prohibited. 142 The Allegheny Cemetery. “ Stone tablets, not exceeding two feet in length and eighteen inches in width, laid horizontally and with the upper surface even with the surface of the ground, may be placed over the heads of graves. “ Planting for rural adornment will be kept under the control of the company/’ and as is stated else¬ where, is discountenanced , but permitted to a limited extent. It would seem that in accordance with the idea of securing the largest landscape effect, combined with the elegance of a park, it is proposed to reduce nearly everything in the Cemetery, except the monument, to the level of the earth, so that nature’s green velvet carpet may be spread over the whole grounds, there¬ by rendering it difficult, if not impossible, in the season of luxuriant grass, or that of deep snows, to identify individual graves. Even the time-honored mound , rendered sacred by the custom of so many na¬ tions, and for so many ages past, seems to be doomed to the same fate. This is more distinctly announced in a chapter headed, “ HOW TO IMPROVE BURIAL LOTS. “ 1st. I. C. Loudon, in his work on landscape gardening, is quoted approvingly as saying, ‘ Plant sparingly. For our own particular taste, we would have no flowers at all , nor any portion of the ground within the Cemetery that had the appearance of being dug or otherwise disturbed for the purpose of cultivation.’ Ornamentation of Cemeteries. 143 “ 2d. Do not suffer the graves to he disfigured by unsightly mounds , which, by not allowing the free use of the scythe, are apt to collect weeds, thus pre¬ senting a neglected appearance. “Banish all upright slabs and head-stones , as they give to the lot a crowded appearance, suggestive of a Potter’s Field. “ 3d. With the exception of the small amount required to provide the stone boundary marks, and pay for flowers and care of lot, let every dollar of the sum you can afford, or are willing to expend in the adornment of your burial lot, be placed in & fam¬ ily monument” In considering what is just and proper with regard to a question which so deeply touches the feelings of the thousands who have committed their precious dead to the guardianship of these institutions, the first natural reflection is, that there is an essential difference between the sentiments and purposes con¬ nected with the arrangements of a Cemetery, with its private graves, and those of a public park. The magnificent park of 900 acres at New York, and the new and still larger one now being opened at Philadelphia, of 2,900 acres, are models of that kind of improvement, worthy of being emulated by other cities. Millions of dollars have been, and millions more will be expended in fitting them up and ornamenting them as places of resort for the gay, fashionable and elite of the cities with which 144 The Allegheny Cemetery. they are connected, who will frequent them for re¬ creation, health and pleasure, and oftentimes for the display of fast and fine horses and brilliant equipages. These are public parks, supported at the public expense; and in private parks the amusements and employments are similar. What are the objects to be met with even in the private park of an English or German nobleman? The hounding deer, and other animals of game, and the chase, the fleet and noble horse and his rider, a pack of hounds, unken¬ nelled on special occasions for the gratification of guests fond of the chase, and, in many instances, the clanging sounds of one or more bands of music to give hilarity and animation to the scene. But such are not the sentiments and purposes con¬ nected with the Cemetery. In the language of an eminent writer and judge, “ a Cemetery should be regarded as a sacred resting place for the dead, and should never be entered but with reverence and seri¬ ous reflection.” Any attempt to introduce into the picture the gay and mirthful scenes and actors of parks and pleasure grounds would be inconsistent with the rules of good taste and propriety, and tend only to mar its intrinsic interest and beauty. It is not intended in these remarks to depreciate the profession of the landscape gardener, or the prin¬ ciples of taste which it is his province to develope in Ornamentation of Cemeteries. 145 practice. Nor is it intended to say aught against public parks and pleasure grounds; no intelligent man will doubt their great public utility ; but believ¬ ing, as we do, that in jmrpose and design, a Cemetery is one thing, and a park or pleasure ground another and totally different thing, and that each have their separate departments of usefulness, we desfre only to suggest a caution against an excessive application to the Cemetery, of tastes and arrangements appropri¬ ate only to parks and pleasure grounds, and in keep¬ ing with them. While it is eminently proper and desirable that the principles and rules of landscape gardening should be regarded in the selection of grounds and the laying out of Cemeteries, it may be doubted whether good taste, natural affection and religious feeling will sanction the changes suggested to the extent proposed, especially in regard to private lots and graves. Notwithstanding the objections above stated, which refer chiefly to the time-honored mound over graves, and to the prohibition of head and foot stones, we believe some of the features of the landscape lawn plan are the suggestions of refined and cultivated taste, and that their adoption as before stated, with certain modifications, will bring about important changes and improvements in the general arrange¬ ment of Cemeteries, and in that of private lots and 146 The Allegheny Cemetery. graves. The prohibition of all inclosures or struc¬ tures of iron or wood, or any perishable material, around burial lots and graves, is itself one that we doubt not will meet with general favor and accept¬ ance. In a well conducted Cemetery they are not only useless and unnecessary, but always expensive, and subject to deterioration from exposure to the weather. But on the other hand, it must be conceded that there is an individuality of ownership in the family lot, which the proprietor has bought and paid for, and for which he holds a deed in “ fee simple,” subject only to the rules and regulations of the Cemetery ; and that there is also a personality of grief, affection and veneration connected with it, especially when it has become the last resting place of the once ani¬ mated forms still dearer to him than his own life, that ignores the professional tastes and arrangements of the landscape gardener and park engineer, when they conflict with the innate sentiments and feelings of his own nature. The one looks on the burial lot, with its solemn surroundings, as a blemish in the picture of a beautiful consistent whole, while the other reveres it as a consecrated spot, on which the foot of the stranger should scarcely be permitted to tread. The feelings of an affectionate son may readily be imagined, who, after a long absence, returns to his Ornamentation of Cemeteries. 147 paternal home, and repairs to the Cemetery to visit once more the graves of his deceased family and friends. Every object in and around the family lot in which they are buried, is photographed on his memory. The inclosures, the monuments, the trees, the mounds that cover the remains of his father, mother, sister and brother, and distinguish them from each other, are fresh in his mind, and make up the vivid picture he has carried with him through storms and perils by sea and land. But, he is informed that new arrangements have recently been introduced into the Cemetery—that these inclosures must be re¬ moved—that this modest monument erected by his father, over the remains of his beloved mother, must be taken down, one monument only being permitted in each lot—that the head and foot-stones marking the spot where others of the family are laid, must be lowered to the level of the surrounding surface; that these mounds, identifying the remains of his honored parents, and all the other deceased members of the family, must be reduced to the same level—that they disfigure the grounds by their unsightly appearance, and mar the landscape effect, and park-like appear¬ ance of the Cemetery. His indignant protest may readily be anticipated. Is this a modern park ? a place for gayety and pleas¬ ure ? or is it a Cemetery, sacred to the repose of the dead, and thoughtful reflection to the living ? Talk 148 The Allegheny Cemetery. not to me of spreading the green carpet of nature oyer these graves. She has room enough in more appropriate places to display her carpets and flowers. These mounds that covered them have been renewed and replanted by affectionate hands with fresh flow¬ ers every returning spring for many years. Remove the inclosures of the lot if you please, but disturb not these mounds that tell me the precise spot where the remains of my revered father and mother and the rest of my kindred repose. Let them remain as they are, unchanged, unless it be by the addition of one other, which will contain my remains when the battle of life is over, and I shall be laid by their side. One other thought may be added, in reference to evils to be apprehended from blending too closely the features of a park or pleasure ground with those of a Cemetery. With the exception of funeral processions, it is a standing rule of most Cemeteries that no per¬ sons are admitted on Sundays, but proprietors and members of their household, and persons accompany¬ ing them. Notwithstanding this positive prohibition, it is found difficult to restrain the large number of per¬ sons that claim admittance on that day, especially in the summer season. Now, let this restriction be removed to satisfy the demands of those who have but little regard for the sanctity of the day, whose views of liberty permit them to ignore any binding Ornamentation of Cemeteries. 149 responsibility to God or governments; and at the same time let the sentiments and tastes of the advo¬ cates of the Landscape Park system, as applied to Cemeteries, gain the decided preference in popular favor, and be carried out to their full extent, and soon it would be found that parties of pleasure, and pic-nics, and all sorts of ojectionable amusements, would be the order of the day, and that a cohort of policemen would not be sufficient to restrain within the bounds of order and decorum the crowds of disor¬ derly people that would flock every returning Sunday to the Cemetery, to participate in scenes of amuse¬ ment and dissipation. History has not left us uninformed of the games, festivals and amusements practiced in public groves and gardens and pleasure grounds in former times, and of the excesses to which they gave origin and en¬ couragement ; and it may be well to remember that history sometimes repeats itself, and that, too, often- er in the wrong, than in the right direction. This country is far in advance of Europe in the number, extent and arrangement of rural Cemeteries. There are but few there that will compare favorably with those in the large cities of the United States. European countries, however, are still farther in advance of the United States in regard to parks and pleasure grounds ; and though they are slow to take lessons from this side of the water, it may be well for 150 The Allegheny Cemetery. us to learn from them on this subject. Intelligent American travellers speak in high terms of approval, of the healthful and happy influence they exert in various ways on the population of large towns and cities in the old world. The example furnished by the eastern cities in the establishment of large and beautiful Cemeteries, was promptly and extensively adopted all over the Union, and it is altogether probable that similar results will follow from the opening of the splendid parks of New York and Philadelphia, before alluded to. The first is an established success and the pride of that city. At the latter it is intended to make im¬ provements on a scale of magnificence and splendor unequalled in the country, aud to erect large, expen¬ sive and permanent buildings, not only for the accom¬ modation of the Centennial Convention which will meet there on the 4th of July, 1876, but for all similar purposes in time to come. Hundreds of thousands will visit these parks, and will carry back to their respective communities the enthusiastic admiration they will inspire, and through the influence thus diffused, we doubt not, that at no distant day, every city of respectable population in the country will have not only its spacious and well arranged rural Cemetery, but its rural park also, each adapted in its own separate and appropriate Ornamentation of Cemeteries. 151 sphere, to meet the wants and necessities of the public. The one is a stern and inevitable necessity. The other is worthy of commendation, as it conduces to the health, happiness and wellbeing of society. J. E. S. / 152 The Allegheny Cemetery. FUNERAL ORATION, BY WILSON McCANDLESS, Esq. May 12th, 1848, DELIVERED ON THE OCCASION OF THE REMOVAL TO THE ALLEGHENY CEMETERY OF THE REMAINS OF COMMODORE BARNEY AND LIEUTENANT PARKER. These bones live— live in the patriotic affection of the American people. Clothed in the image of God, and animated with the spirit of these departed heroes, they were the public property of the nation. To us, and to our successors, is confided the sacred trust of preserving them inviolate, until the last trump shall call the dead to judgment. This is a heroic solemnity, and this multitude of living witnesses have come from the activity of a tumultuous city, to look in sadness upon the re-in¬ terment of those who were once “ candidates high in emulation for the prize of glory.” This pall and this mourning are alike creditable to the living and the dead—to our country and to our social relations. They awaken recollections of the virtues of the de- BARNEY MOUND. Funeral Oration. 153 ceased, and the stirring scenes in which they partici¬ pated. They remind us also of the inevitable hour common to us all, and that “ The paths of glory lead but to the grave.” Far from the endearments of home and consan¬ guinity, two of them surrendered to the last enemy of mortality, what they refused to the bravest of their country’s enemies; and the other died amid the conflict of arms, with his face to the bristling steel of the enraged foe. Here on this mount, ded¬ icated with appropriate solemnities to the purposes of sepulture, they will repose; and the tall column, carved with the emblems of their great .deeds, will rise to animate their countrymen in all future strug¬ gles for the preservation of constitutional liberty. Here the dews will descend, and fresh flowers be sprinkled on their graves, as long as the veins of American women swell with the blood of the Rev¬ olution. Here the young and gallant soldier will come from the pomp, parade and toil of the camp, to do homage to warriors clad in clay. And here the intrepid sailor, nursed in the storm, with the tide of generous sorrow working upward to his eye, will wipe away a tear from his manly cheek, as he gazes upon the spot where Barney and Parker lie. Joshua Barney was a native of the gallant State of Maryland, but his mouldering bones are entitled to rest, with honorable distinction, upon the soil of 11 154 The Allegheny Cemetery. Pennsylvania. From our Legislature lie received tokens of approbation for meritorious conduct in protecting the commerce of the Delaware; and his family now possess the sword awarded to him by this State, for that and other distinguished services rendered during the Revolutionary war. In foreign service, and in perils of the sea, before that great event, his patriotic valor was at once enlisted in the cause of his country, and two days after the declar¬ ation of American Independence, he sailed from Philadelphia with a commission, as Lieutenant, from the Continental Congress. Although in a subordin¬ ate position upon the Sachem and Andrew Doria, a vessel captured from the enemy, his naval skill and indomitable bravery brought him prominently before the country. Prize after prize was taken, and the haughty Cross of St. George was lowered in more than one instance by his own hands. Ordered to the command of the Saratoga, of only sixteen guns, he took an English frigate of thirty-two guns, boarded her under the fire of a broadside, and run up the American flag. But he could not always be success¬ ful, and in bringing the ship home, as a trophy of his victory, he himself was captured and carried to England, there to suffer the horrors of an enemy’s cruelty. By a well arranged plan he escaped to the United States, and was not long inactive in avenging the Funeral Oration. 155 wrongs lie received abroad. In the action of the Hyder Ali, and for which he was complimented by Pennsylvania, he reserved his fire until within pistol shot—then raked his adversary fore and aft, and in twenty minutes her colors were struck. This was the most gallant action of his naval life, and for which he received the thanks of Congress and the country. His fame travelled throughout the land, and his praise was incorporated in the ballads of the day ; “ The roaring Hyder Ali ” was as familiar to all, as the nursery tales to lisping infancy, or the scenes at Bunker Hill to the valiant soldier who had participated in that bloody combat. The name of the captured vessel, the General Monk, was changed to General Washington ; and it is a remarkable his¬ torical fact, that this ship, under the command of Captain Barney, carried out to Europe the instruc¬ tions of his government to Dr. Franklin, relative to the negotiations for peace, and was the first to bring back to this country the thrilling news, that it was accomplished upon a basis honorable and satisfactory to the American people. This rich freight could not have been borne on a vessel with a name more appropriate than that of the Father of his Country, whose valor had won the battles, and whose skill had laid the foundations of the Republic. It is an opulent legacy, too, to the descendants of the Commodore, that his name should 156 The Allegheny Cemeteky. be so illustriously associated with one of the grandest epochs of American history; and it is a still prouder honor, that under the new Constitution he should have been selected, with Truxton and Dale, by Pres¬ ident Washington, to the command of one of the six vessels authorized by Congress, and then com¬ posing the /whole navy of the United States. This he declined, and relieved from public duty, he sailed for France, and was there the medium through which the., colors under which he fought were presented to the National Assembly of that versatile, but now regenerated people. His country at peace with her first enemy, his active and ener¬ getic spirit could not remain in repose. His life had been too eventful, filled with too many incidents of stirring interest; he had been too much an ocean ranger, to be quiet, and he accepted a high post in the navy of our ancient ally. For seven years he continued in the French service, honorably and ac¬ tively employed, and received testimonials of merit from sources of the highest military consideration. In 1802 he resigned, and returned to the United States. The war of 1812 found the Commodore, with all his laurels fresh about him, in the stillness of civic quietude upon his farm; but he snuffed the battle with the breeze—felt that he was summoned to mar- Funeral Oration. 157 tial scenes—drew his sword, and in a short time was once more upon his native element. On the Chesapeake Bay, against fearful odds, he encountered the enemy—struck for the honor and rights of his country—and did execution that re¬ dounded to his glory and fame; and when that en¬ emy approached the Capitol, in which were stored the archives of the Government, and among them the official records of his own gallant achievements, he landed—he met them at Bladensburg—and could this frail anatomy, this remnant of what he was, he exposed to public view, it would bear testimony that the balls he bore upon his person were received in front, and not in the rear. Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania honor him ; Balti¬ more and Maryland should join us in erecting a lofty shaft to his memory! What shall I say of Parker ? The features of his short, but brilliant career, crowd upon me so rapidly that I am overwhelmed with act and incident. Like the outline of his manly face, they are vivid as the morning of the day on which the news of his tri¬ umph reached us ; and they call to memory the joys of his little family, now in our midst, that he was safe—safe from his great enterprises by sea and land. Here is his body from the sands of Salmadina— “All at rest now—all dust!” and none of his comrades near him, to join with us in 158 The Allegheny Cemeteey. the solemn rites to which we have appropriated this day. Here is his wife—how bitter to her the recol¬ lection of his living presence, when she remembers what a devoted and cherished husband he was to her. Here are his children—orphans—all in infancy, scarcely able to articulate—mirthful and innocent— how can they realize the absence of one who joined them in the gambols of childhood, and who longed for them when far, far off at sea! With what youthful melody they would have celebrated his return, and with what sadness they would look upon his bier, if conscious of the loss they have sustained! In this the spring time of their lives, may God protect them; and as He gives to these trees their varied foliage, may He continually adorn their young “ hearts and minds with His love and fear.” James Lawrence Parker was a man of extra¬ ordinary parts. A native of Philadelphia, of humble parentage, like the young Corsican, he was the ar¬ chitect of his own fortunes. None of the incidents to birth and education, were his privileges. Parental affection would have granted him everything, but for want and deprivation; and his own generous nature, at an early age, sought rather to carve out for him¬ self his destiny, than to hang as an incubus upon those who had been instrumental in bringing him into existence. When only fifteen, he entered as an apprentice Funeral Oration. 159 on board the Independence . The name of the vessel alone, was enough to stimulate his youthful ardor, and prepare him for the gallant deeds in which he was an active participant. Prompt in the discharge of every duty, and with a precocity that at once singled him from his fellows, he was removed to the midshipmen’s mess. Any one who has been in that microcosm, a man-of-war, will readily appreciate this promotion, and Parker was the first to acknowl¬ edge and profit by it. From this ship he was transferred to the Java , and made the cruise of the Mediterranean, the very geography of which was calculated to instill into his youthful mind a love of glory, and veneration for heroes that had stamped their names upon classic pages. The four years occupied in this voyage were not spent in idleness. He acquired the affection and confidence of his superiors—a knowledge of navigation and foreign language—and upon his return, was recommended for appointment as mid¬ shipman. Hark as are the alleys, and difficult the approach to the head of the department at Washington, his energy surmounted them. He was encountered by the accustomed information, always blandly afforded, that there were one hundred and twenty-six Penn¬ sylvania applications in advance of him. This was enough to dampen the energies of one less resolute; 160 The Allegheny Cemetery. but nothing daunted, he applied in person to Presi¬ dent Jackson. The keen sagacity, and penetration of human char¬ acter, which always characterized that illustrious gen¬ tleman, instantly saw in him qualities that should not be lost to the country, and at once he ordered his commission to be prepared. With a reward of merit so properly bestowed, he joined the Potomac, and made a voyage round the world. During this eventful period, he first exhib¬ ited those military qualities that have distinguished him since the commencement of the Mexican war. In Sumatra, he was prominent in the attack and discomfiture of the Malays at Quallah Battoo—a just chastisement inflicted upon freebooters, for mur¬ der and piracy upon American commerce. For his skill and intrepidity, he again received commendation from the commanding officers, and felt a new impulse urging him to greater exertion. Bather than return to his native land with the ship, he preferred remaining abroad, until he should ac¬ quire that knowledge which would entitle him to immediate promotion upon his arrival at home. He was transferred to the frigate Brandywine; remained with her during a perilous cruise; by close applica¬ tion he completed his studies in navigation and the modern languages, and upon examination, was raised to a higher grade in this arm of our national defence. Funeral Oration. 161 After a voyage to the East Indies, with the rank of Lieutenant, upon his own urgent solicitation, he was ordered to the Gulf of Mexico, to participate in the dangers and glories of the present war. Amid the northers, the stormy billows, and stern realities of this sea life, he panted for an opportunity to distinguish himself. His comrades of the navy were equally impatient; for all the honors were being won by the army on land. Their position was com¬ paratively passive. Maintaining a blockade, they could hear the booming cannon on shore, but were not permitted to be there. It was in this calm, this solicitude for distinction in his profession, and determination to rival those who had preceded him, that he resolved to excel Decatur at Tripoli, and cut out the Oreole from under the walls of the Castle of San Juan de Ulloa. A perilous undertaking it was, and performed under a negative disobedience of orders; but it resulted as all such enterprises do, when conceived and ex¬ ecuted by master spirits of the navy. Within range of a hundred pieces of artillery, upon a tempestuous surge, and but for the darkness of the night, in full view of the Spanish, French and English fleets, he, and those who followed him, did what extorted ad¬ miration from those who, but for its chivalrous dar¬ ing, would have been reluctant to admit that it had been accomplished at all. 162 The Allegheny Cemetery. But the noblest of his acts upon the Gulf, was at the loss of the Somers . His presence of mind never forsook him, and he periled his life over and over again, to preserve those less capable of physical exer¬ tion than himself. History has recorded all this— and it requires no effort of mine to stereotype it upon the public memory. Parker was not satisfied with his achievements on the water. At Tuspan and Tabasco, he fought with the foremost of the enemy ; and it was in one of these engagements he received a wound that terminated a career full of fame to him, and honor to the service in which he was engaged. His Commodore has sent his remains to us, as the last tribute he could pay to one dear to him by every quality that renders estimable the officer and the man. Into the narrow cell appointed for all living, we commit him, knowing that even “ in his ashes his wonted fires ” will live, for the imitation of his chil¬ dren, and the emulation of his countrymen. Yet another of these gallant spirits, whose lifeless forms are before me, claims the tribute of a passing sigh. Near us is deposited her who nursed him in youth and cherished him in manhood. At her side will he be laid, until the morning of the Resurrec¬ tion. When the present war called to arms the youth Funeral Oration. 163 and chivalry of the country, he wanted to go, and yet filial affection caused him to hesitate ; and “ Then said the mother to the son, And pointed to his shield, 1 Come with it, when the battle’s done, Or on it, from the field.’ ” Here is the gallant fellow on his shield, pierced by more than twenty arrows from the quiver of the enemy. He fell at Puebla, with sixteen of our brave townsmen of the Duquesne Greys, overwhelmed by numbers, and fighting with the prowess which be¬ came him and the corps to which he was attached. Lieutenant Sewell (for to this appellation he is entitled by promotion from the President of the United States, without a knowledge of his death, and with an appreciation of his meritorious services at Vera Cruz and Cerro Gordo,) was a most estimable young gentleman, strictly correct in his public de¬ portment, and scrupulous of the amenities of private life. Sister and brother mourn his loss, and cherish the posthumous honors paid to his memory. When the heroic sons of Pennsylvania, who have hazarded everything for their country, shall return, what a melancholy satisfaction it will be to them to know, that if they also had been slain in battle, friends at home would not have been unmindful of their services and sacrifices. Now that we have imperfectly recurred to the 164 The Allegheny Cemetery. lives of the dead, it may be asked by skepticism and false philosophy, why this pomp and parade— this folly and vanity ? why not consign these bones to the deep, or let them whiten the soil of Mexico ? Bone will be united to its fellow—this corruptible will put on incorruption—and at the Last Day the sea will give up its dead. But we have the authority of patriarchal example: “ Bury me not, I pray thee, in Egypt: but I will lie with my fathers, and thou shalt carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in their burying place.” This solemn injunction of the father to the son, was, with filial reverence, obeyed, although he might have commanded the proudest place in the catacombs. “ And there went up with him both chariots and horsemen, and it was a very great company.” Bemember, too, that the descendants of this excel¬ lent and dutiful son, entertaining the same grateful and honorable sentiment, imitated his pious example. “ The bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, buried they in Shechem, in a parcel of ground which Jacob bought of the sons of ILamar, the father of Shechem, for an hun¬ dred pieces of silver, and it became the inheritance of the children of Joseph.” When the son of Nun died, that great Captain of his age, he who said, “ Sun, stand thou still on Gib- eon, and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon ”—his devoted followers “ buried him in the borders of his Funeral Oration. 165 inheritance, in Timnath-serah, which is in Mount Ephraim, on the north side of the hill of Gaash.” The first act of David, after he was anointed King over the house of Judah, was to send for the men who had buried Saul. Messengers were dispatched to them, saying, “ Blessed he ye of the Lord, that ye have showed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him.” And if compelled to resort to Apocryphal testi¬ mony, I might cite the respect of Simon for the bones of his brother Jonathan, which he buried in Modin. “ All Israel made great lamentation for him, and bewailed him many days. Simon also built a monu¬ ment upon the sepulchre of his father and his bro¬ ther, and raised it aloft to the sight, with hewn stone, behind and before. “ Moreover, he set up seven pyramids, and in these he made cunning devices, about which he set great pillars, and upon these pillars he made all their armor, for a perpetual memory, and by the armor ships carved, that they might be seen of all that sail on the sea. This is the sepulchre which he made at Modin, and it standeth yet, unto this day.” In the days of the Apostles, when the types of the new covenant were being realized in the miracles and mysteries of that eventful period, “ devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamen¬ tation over him.” 166 The Allegheny Cemeteey. It is a custom honored by the observance of all nations, heathen and Christian. To enumerate them, from urn burial to the simple commitment of “ dust to dust, ashes to ashes,” would neither convince nor convert the unbeliever. Besides, who is there, with a spark of true affec¬ tion lingering in his heart, that does not feel elated and subdued by a scene like this ? And who ite there that does not cling with fondness to the inanimate bodies of those who were, in life, the objects of their love and admiration ? The Egyptians, the Greeks, the Romans, and even the Turks, paid commendable attention to the burial of the dead. The lofty Pyramid, the Cave, the Bock, the Field—each and all were set apart, in respectful reverence, for the last offices due to hu¬ manity. And shall we, in this golden era of the world, this enlightened age of thought and action, be indifferent to social refinement, or the gentler characteristics of civilization ? To the Earth, then, we commit these corruptible bodies, that in life honored their names and profes¬ sions, looking to the general Resurrection at the Last Lay, when that which is “ sown in weakness shall be raised in power, and that which is sown in dishonor shall be raised in glory.” Mortalitate relictce , vivunt immortalitate induti. \