Ruthless Strangers

Will we be the ruthless strangers to destroy the final resting place of the founders of our City and others?

July 21, 1892    Middletown Signal Weekly, Middletown, Ohio
Cemeteries
The New and the Old and What People Think of Them
    The feeling in the matter of the removal of remains and monuments from the old cemetery by those who so desire, seems to be that the prices are not extortionate; that the old ground should be preserved in its beauty, and that it should not be permitted to be torn up and despoiled ruthlessly by those who want to remove their dead.  But that a decent respect for the rights of others and the common dictates of justice demand that when a body is removed the lot should be left in such condition as is presentable and in conformity with the surroundings.
 There may be no good reason, however, for requiring the removal of the foundations to monuments, as the lot is still in possession of the party who owns the foundation, and he should certainly have the privilege of leaving the same on his lot as long as it does not present an unsightly appearance or in any way interfere with the unsightly appearance or in any way interfere with the rights or privileges of others.  True, he may sell or give the lot to some other person but when he does he gives him what is contained therein and for any artificial obstructions, requiring extra work in digging a grave in such a lot, the owner should be required to pay the sexton.
    But to insist upon the removal of these foundations it is thought is demanding too much, and it looks as if it indeed were too much.  When the Middletown Cemetery Association requires an expenditure of money for this useless piece of folly says one individual, “it looks as if they are only desirous of obstructing the inevitable.”
    The old cemetery will go. Another decade and the place will be in the center of the city, where a progressive generation will neither desire nor permit a burying ground.  It is well therefore to care for our dead now, and seeing it is only a question of time until removal is necessary, while we are still able, it is better to preserve the sacred remains of those we love and place them in a safe place, than leave it to the ruthless hands of strangers in years to come.  Thus while there is no charge of extortion on the part of the old cemetery association there is a feeling that they are demanding unnecessary work from those who desire to move.  A number of our best people who have lots in the old cemetery are purchasing a resting place for their dead in the new necropolis and in a very short time will begin the removal of the remains.  So it can readily be seen that the new cemetery is timely and for it we should be thankful to the enterprising gentlemen who are laying it out and making it fit for interment.