hanover-cemetery-dh38-5851-9-093-011

Lot No. 93 (con.) 10.

December 7, 1955

Mr. Arthur H. Chivers
Meriden
New Hampshire:

Dear Mr. Chivers:

This will acknowledge your letter of November 30, 1955
to President Dickey in regard to the Wheelock stones.

I was very distressed to hear of the way these grave-
stones were being kept at the storehouse, and I immediately took
steps to have the situation corrected. It was quite inexcusable
the way they were being handledand it was contrary to the in-
structions I had given last spring at the time they were taken out
of the ground.

Our purpose in taking them out was to see if the "ancient"
tablestones could be preserved in a manner so that they could still
be seen. We have obtained estimates on a new type of case which
would have the modern tablestone, or perhaps the more recent one,
on top exposed to the weather very much as at present. Then there
would be a brass case on the side which would have the ancient
stones under bulletproof glass which would enable them to be seen
by anyone visiting the cemetery.

Apparently this was a very difficult fabrication job,
and the total cost comes to around $1,700. I would appreciate
your reaction as to whether you think an expenditure of this size
for this purpose is justified, or whether it would be better to
follow your own suggestion, that the stones be put back where they
were found. Would you be good enought to let me know what your
opinion is on this subject?

Sincerely yours,

John F. Meck.