Mount Auburn Cemetery

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read to the meeting by the Secretary, and the state of the finances and investments having been discussed in connection therewith it was Voted. That the report of the Treasurer be accepted and that it be laid before the Proprietors at their annual meeting.

Statue of Mr. Justice Story Fund for.

Voted. That the Treasurer be authorized and directed to credit the fund of the subscribers for a statue of the late Judge Story with interest from the time it was paid in to his hands until invested.

Special Funds how invested.

Voted. That the Treasurer credit "the Story fund," and all other special funds in the hands of the Trustees, with interest, commencing 60 days after the receipt of the same by the Treasurer, until the further order of the Board or until the same shall have been invested.

Purchase of Lands.

Dr Bigelow, made a verbal report in his capacity as a committee on the purchase of adjoining lands for the use of the Cemetery, stating that it was not desirable at this time.

R.Road Station

Mr Brimmer from the a special Committee submitted the following Report.

The Committee to whom was referred the subject of R. R. Station near the gate of M^t Auburn Cemetery ask leave to report. That they have given the subject a careful consideration, & find that the Legislature having given the Watertown Branch R. Road leave to establish a station near the gate of the Cemetery, it is too late to prevent the erection of said station, and

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Trustees May 3. 1853.

Pursuant to notices issued in the usual manner, the Trustees met at the office of C.P. Curtis Esqr on Tuesday May 3. at 11 1/2 o'clock A.M. Present Messrs Crockett, Bigelow, Read, Tisdale, Kuhn, Parker and Gould.

The record of the last meeting was read and approved.

Ponds. draining & Cleansing.

The President made an oral report on the construction of a drain from Forest into Meadow Pond, and that the latter pond had been in a great degree cleansed by the removal of the mud. (written report afterwards place on file)

No Gate. nearer to the Fitchburg R R Branch Station.

A communication from the superintendent of the Fitchburg Rail Road was read, requesting that a gate may be opened nearer to the Station House of the Watertown Branch Rail Road at Mount Auburn. Voted, that the petitioner have leave to withdraw.

Chapel repairs of.

Voted. That the Committee on the tower be instructed to make inquiries and report to the trustees on the expediency of removing and replacing such portions of the Chapel as are found to be defective in material or construction.

Tomb lot applied for

An application from Frederick W. Tracy for leave to build an underground tomb or catacombs on the extreme Southern side, between Walnut and the outer avenue, was referred to the Committee on Lots with full powers to act within the present laws and regulations of the Cemetery.

Paving of Gutters.

The Committee on the tower, were also ordered to take in charge the subject of paving gutters on the avenues or paths.

Sec.y to issue tickets to Joint Purchasers -

Voted. That the Secretary be authorized to issue more than one ticket, upon one lot, where he is satisfied that

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Lot, which is I think much needed, the present Lot being too far from the gate. Two rows of graves are arranged with a path between. The usual border of six feet thus along the whole front of the lot, with an addition at the entrance, which I would propose as Ornamental Ground. The larger portion^^{to be planted} with handsome trees & shrubs and the borders sodded, with occasional flower beds.

This would give the whole lot an attractive appearance, as well as make it generally ornamental. Should this plan be adopted, would not some restricting as to fences & monuments be advisable for the general effect?

The land is readily divisible into lots of 20'x20', 20'x15' 15'x15' and 15'x10' which would I think answer any requirements as to size of lots.

The Western portion will require considerable filling, material for which can be obtained by sloping from the Eastern line of the Watriss Lot to Birch and Balsam Avenues and then sloping gently toward the S. West.

This grade will carry all surface water either toward the proposed pond on the Chant Lot or along the Watertown Branch R.R. to strike the stream which crosses M^cDonalds Land & flows back thru' the Cemetery to the River

Respectfuly J.W. Lovering

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Trustees. April 12^t, 1871. Coolidge Av. Papers rel. to from J. G. Coolidge & H. W. Muzzey ref. to Spec. Com.

A communicaton from M^r. Joseph G. Coolidge, and one from M^r H. W. Muzzey both dated April 10^t, 1871, alleging certain facts in regard to the condition of Coolidge Avenue, and founding certain claims thereupon were read and considered, and it was

Voted, – that the foregoing communications be referred to a Special Committee consisting of the President and M^r Choate to consider and report.

Request to purchase land by J. G. Coolidge ref. to Com. on Grounds.

An application to purchase a small strip of land from the Stone Meadow was received from M^r Jos. G. Coolidge under date of April 10^t, 1871.

Voted, – that the application be referred to the Committee on Grounds to consider and report.

On the statement made by M^r Turner that we had been requested by Dr. Brewer now absent from the City, to bring to the notice of the Board the expediency of appointing a Committee on the Birds of the Cemetery, it was

Com. on Birds appointed.

Voted, – that Dr. Brewer and M^r Turner be appointed to constitute such Committee.

Mr. Turner having requested to be excused from serving, M^r Little was appointed in his place.

Proposed new access to Cemetery from Watertown Br. R. R.

A verbal communication was addressed to the Board by M^r Lawrence stating that M^r Stearns, President of the Fitchburg Railroad Co. had suggested to him that the Railroad Company would readily negotiate for the sale of the Proprietors of M^r Auburn of a small parcel of land adjoining their lately acquired premises West of the Cemetery, and for the opening of a gate affording passengers by the cars a

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recollection of any such occurance. In conclusion your Com^ee believe Mr Hyde, though an [?] person, & [too right?] perhaps to take offence ^unnessarily at the treatment he some times receives, to be a faithful & honest Keeper of the Gate & they ask to be discharged from any further considera tion of the charages against him.

In relation to the Rules & Regulatiosn your Com^ee have no alteration to propse, but they would recom mend that they should be published with the signature of the Secretary in three of the news papers printed in Boston, for the information of the Public.

Your Com^eedeem this a favourable oppor tunity to draw the attention of the Trustees to the the Branch Rail Road now in the process of con struction to Watertown. Your Com^eeare informed that it is the intention of the proprietors to establish a station ^nearthe N. W. corner of the cemetery & not far from the gates, for the accommodation of the great concourse of visitors which it is anticipated will thus be brought to Mt Auburn. It is to be feared that the grounds will be overrun by crowds of persons, who will make it a [?place] resort for pleasure & amusement, & thus disturb the the sacred quiet of the place. Your Com^ee are not prepared, nor is it any part of their duty, to recommend any