1870-09-13 Receiving Tomb: Letter from Folsom to Bigelow, 2021.011.005

[Letterhead: Mount Auburn Cemetery.]

[Letterhead: SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE,]

[Letterhead: (P.O.) Mount Auburn, Mass.,] Sept 13, 1870

Dr. Jacob Bigelow, Chairman Comm. on Grounds.

Dear Sir,

In obedience to the instructions of your Committee of the 19^th ult^o, I have the honor to report as follows concerning the best mode of finishing a portion of the new Receiving Tomb.

The front of the tomb, as is well known to your Committee, (with the exception of the urn and ornamental appendages,) is already set up in place. The freestone trimmings for vestibule and catacombs are delivered on the spot. A considerable portion of the marble doors for catacombs are on hand.

The only other materials required are slate slabs for the floors of the compartments, and bricks. The

Bricks can, of course, be procured at any time. The slate slabs ought to be in one piece, (not in two pieces, as generally used in private tombs,) and of extra thickness. These could not be procured ready made, and it would probably take a month to get them.

It would no doubt be possible to complete the vestibule and one compartment, as proposed, this fall, by extra diligence. But, as we should have to hire new and untried workmen, as we should be liable to delay in getting the slate, and as, at best, the work would not have proper time to dry before frost, -- I could respectfully recommend that the super- structure or brick work be not commenced this fall, but that the whole or a part of the foundation be put in this fall, (if it turns out to be economical and convenient with respect to other work;) and that all

preparations be made in the winter for commencing the work at the opening of Spring. It can then be finished early in the summer, and have the rest of the season to dry.

(Shall our men be too busy this fall to conveniently put in this foundation, it can be done as well in the Spring, being only the work of a few days.)

As I have only seen the plans for a few days past, I am not prepared to report now, in full, my opinion upon all the details of the plan, or upon the general structure and uses of the tomb. One consideration, however, occurs to me. If it be proposed to sell or perpetually lease a portion of the catacombs of this tomb, (and I think that might be done with profit,) it may be best to build now two compartments of the tomb, (besides the vestibule;) so as to have one

Receiving Tomb. Com. from Supt. respecting time & manner of Completion of, Sept. 13^th 1870. Pres.^t.Sept. 14. (J=27) Rep. to Com. on Grounds

compartment of catacombs for sale, and one for rent to transient occupants; it being my opinion that permanent occupants would not like the risk of being mixed up with transient customers, who would constantly be changing.

I think there is no doubt that the early finishing of this tomb, (so large an outlay having been already made,) will be a profitable investment, either for rent or sale of catacombs.

Very respectfully,

Your obed^t Servant,

C.W. Folsom, Sup't.

Sept 21/70 Supt instructed to furnish an estimate of cost of completing vestibule and two compartments.