1891-01-27 Letter: John C. Gordon, Beechwood Cemetery Co., Canada, to L. G. Farmer, Secretary, pauper graves & burials, 2014.020.014-002

Subject: Pauper graves & burials [in pencil]

Beechwood Cemetery Company.

Ottawa, Jany 27^th^ 1891.

L.G. Farmer Esqr. Secretary Mt. Auburn Cemetery 16. Pemberton Square Boston

Dear Sir

On the behalf of our Corp I am directed to solicit your kindness in answering the following queries should you feel at liberty to oblige us.

Viz.

1	What system or plan do you use in the designation of

grave Ranges and numbered in [rotation?]?

2	Do you keep a Record of the Pauper Interments and the

3	How many -- if more than one -- do you allow to be buried

Cemeteries -- inter as many remains in each Pauper grave as such grave will contain consistent with a sufficient quantity of earth over the last?

4	Have you any particular limit of time during which

[lay?] elsewhere in your Cemetery or for burials in other Cemeteries.

5	In case you allow a number of Burials in one grave

distinguished from the others in the same grave -- particularly should there be no [name plate?] on the Coffin, or do you keep a chart of the Burials as they occur in each grave to meet such emergencies?

6	What are your rates or charges for

Beechwood Cemetery Company.

Ottawa, [blank line] 18[91]

7	From a business stand point what is your Rule

occasioned by the inability of the interested party or next of kin to purchase a single grave? And how are your Cemetery Authorities assured of the fact?

The Authorities of the Church of England here claim that our Corp. (a Joint-Stock Corp. not under Ecclesiastical control) should be able to produce any remains buried in our Cemetery. According to our practice in the case of Pauper Interments to do so would not always be possible.

We would esteem it a favor if you could spare us a copy of your last Annual Report. Also a copy of your By-Laws and Cemetery Rules if you have them for distribution, as we would like still further to profit by information about your magnificent Cemetery.

Last July during a hurried trip to Boston I was privilleged in spending between two and three hours in Mt. Auburn Cemetery but had to leave without seeing either yourself or Mr Lovering, my time being very short.

I was greatly impressed with the grandeur of Mt. Auburn and mean some day to see it again.

Hoping you will kindly reply I beg to remain

Respectfully yours

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John C. Gordon Supt. Beechd. Cemetery. Ottawa City Canada

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