USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > A history of Catholicity in northern Ohio and in the diocese of Cleveland from 1749 to December 31, 1900, Volume II, pt2 > Part 28
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The Second Period of six years was from 1876 to 1882. The priests attending the Retreat, in 1876, had their attention called by the Board of Managers to the fact that the Rules and Regulations governing the Fund stood much in need of revision, and of additions 10 cover cases and points that had come up for action and settlement. To meet these requirements a committee of three, the Revs. Charles Evrard, Seraphin Bauer, and Robert A. Sidley, were chosen. Their work was approved by Bishop Gilmour, October 1, 1876, and com- prised with other regulations the fixing of the assessment at twenty cents for each paying family reported from each congregation; the deduction from the full sum of $500 regularly allowed of all sums received by partially disabled priests for occasional services; and the rather impractical rule that partially disabled priests who had been twenty years on the Mission were not obliged to labor, or if they did labor occasionally the sum or sums received by them in compensation were not to be deducted from the $500 to which they were entitled from the Fund under its rules.
The Board of Managers from 1876 to 1882 was composed of the following: The Rt. Rev. Bishop Gilmour, president ; the Rev. Sera- phin Bauer, secretary : the Rev. Charles Evrard, treasurer; the Revs. Robt. A. Sidley, Nicholas Moes, Fridolin Ankly, and the Rt. Rev. Mgr. Felix M. Boff. V. G.
Under the revised rules the Fund continued to prosper, the administration of its affairs to give good satisfaction, and the amount in its treasury to give such promise of being adequate to meet all reasonable demands that, in view of the latter fact, the assessment was lowered from twenty to fifteen cents for each paying family in the several congregations.
While these averments are true touching the general facts, it would not be in keeping with truth to allow the reader to be impressed with the notion that there were, in the early stages of the organization, no approaches to clashing and indifference. These were to the fore in many cases ; and, moreover, there were but four elections and few meetings of the Board during the first seventeen years of the life of
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the Fund. It was mainly due to the exertions of a few noble spirits, chief among whom was the Rev. Dr. Seraphin Bauer, the present secre- tary of the Board, that the business of the Fund was so faithfully attended to during that period. To him and his confreres belongs the credit that the organization was not allowed to pass into such desuetude as would be almost unpardonable in view of the great need there was and is for its continuance and activity.
The period from 1882 to the present might be regarded as the most prosperous, satisfactory, and assuring since the establishment of the Fund. This excellence of administration includes not only the work of receiving and disbursing of funds, but also the practical. and systematic management of the organization. Every - transaction of consequence is made in the sessions of the Board of Managers, which meets quarterly. Blanks covering all acts, authorizations, reports, etc., are provided and their use enforced. For this exactness and business method the organization is indebted to the zeal and fertile brain of the Rev. Dr. Seraphin Bauer. The treasurer is required to keep his accounts on the regular double entry plan, and the secre- tary to write out an exact record of every transaction under the head of minutes, and to read these for approval, together with all the vouch- ers at each meeting of the Board. No banking house, no matter how perfect its system, can be said to be in advance of the business methods under which the Infirm Priests' Fund of the Diocese of Cleveland is administered.
These excellent results have been brought about by the constitu- tion of 1882, for the drafting of which Bishop Gilmour appointed the Revs. Seraphin Bauer, Fridolin Ankly, and Charles Evrard. They made it liberal, specific, and comprehensive, and to emphasize the original aim they wrote in conclusion,
NON MISERE VIVIT, QUI PARCE VIVIT.
The present Board of Managers, which Board has held office for the past seventeen years, gives the evidence of its faithfulness, ability, and zeal under all circumstances. It is an honor to the Fund and a credit to the diocese. It has the implicit confidence of the Rev. Clergy, a fact which is proved by its having been continued in office for so long a period. The following are the officers and members :
The Rt. Rev. Ign. F. Horstmann, ex officio, President.
The Rev. Dr. Seraphin Bauer, Secretary.
The Rev. Fridolin Ankly, Treasurer.
The Rt. Rev. Mgr. Thomas P. Thorpe.
The Rev. Dr. Thomas F. Maher.
The Rev. Casimir Reichlin.
The Rev. William McMahon.
To feel compassion for a priest broken in affliction and reduced to want, to sympathize with him in his distress, to comiserate his sad condition, to grieve for his sufferings, to sorrow over his sadness, and to pity him in his poverty, privation, or neglected condition are but exhibitions of the emotional nature which produce no practical good results. They are subjective rather than objective, and if they
CALVARY CEMETERY
CALVARY CEMETERY (Main Entrance), CLEVELAND.
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have any worth at all it is wholly because of their reflex effect upon the modern good Samaritan who weeps over men's misfortunes until he feels better, then passes on. But if this imitation Samaritan be transmuted into the Good Samaritan of old, and if he pours oil into the priest's wounds and seats him on his beast, brings him to the nearest inn, and pays for his keep, he is but obeying the natural senti- ment common between humans-the law that vet finds a faint echo in the breasts of straying humanity, and that holds touching the unworthy as well as the worthy. Into that law the element of justice does not enter, for if it did the unworthy might be passed by.
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In the case of the infirm and incapacitated priest, however, the law of justice towers above the law of sympathy, or even that of.charity. As a soldier of the Cross who has been wounded in the battle, as a man who has fought the good fight and both kept and taught the faith, the priest is entitled to those creature-comforts which the Fund has provided for him against the time of infirmity, illness, or old age. He has earned these from the people because he left father and mother, home and friends, and often bright worldly prospects, to devote his life to their spiritual interests, and often their temporal interests also. If in olden days considerateness forbade the muzzling of the ox that treaded out the corn, surely justice yet holds with sufficient force among men to requite the faithful and profitable servant, the priest who treads out the spiritual corn. If it were measured unto the priest in the measure in which he measures it unto the people, his wants in adversity would, indeed, be most generously supplied.
It is an easy task at times to arouse human sympathy, to play upon the heart-strings until every fibre of men's make-up is all atremble with the thrill of tender emotions. This the founders and perpetuators of the Infirm Priests' Fund could have done and are able to do, but they did not, and would not play that part. They con- ceived and yet hold to the idea that justice is what is required rather than sympathy or active charity. Justice preserves intact the honor of both priests and people, whereas the employment of other consid- erations in providing for infirm priests might be as disagrecable as they would be unbecoming. Fiat Justitia ruit coelum-Let justice be done 'though the heavens fall.
CLEVELAND. CALVARY CEMETERY.
Modern interment-grounds, like Calvary Cemetery, Cleveland. mark the welcome transition from the catacomb and charnel-house of earlier ages to the park-like God's acre of today. This change for the better, in the laying to rest of the mortal remains of Christians, began in the seventeenth century, and was evidently intended to rob death of some of its habilaments of gloom and woe, and substitute therefor exterior or surface surroundings that are better in keeping with Chris- tian hope, and suggestive of the glories of the resurrection. No bird might sing, or ever did sing in the subterranean vaults in which the bodies of the carly Christians were laid away in great tiers; but in our
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modern church-yards and burial-parks each returning spring contrasts bloom, freshness, and beauty above with blight, ashes, and decay beneath. It delights us with the chorus of the woods as against the silence of the grave, and sets life, and light, and inspiring hope above death, and darkness, and the great dread of nothingness.
If the "memory of things precious keepeth warm the heart that once did hold them," and if tear-showers are destined to fertilize this dreary world of ours, it is most becoming that joy in hope, and memory with faith be the rosy-tinted medium through which we view both the past and the future. And since our loved ones are not dead, but sleepeth, and since faith teaches of the final awakening, it is fitting that their last earthly resting place, their slumber-couch, be made a bower of beauty redolent of the hoped-for spiritual springtime of the life and light, and joy promised on the farther shore.
The first Catholic cemetery to be established in Cleveland was St. Joseph's ; the second was St. John's ; the third was that for St. Mary's parish. It is situated on Burton street. The fourth is the subject of this sketch, and the one which will ultimately be the union burial place for all the congregations of that city. It was pur- chased in 1893. It comprises 105 acres about six miles south of the center of the city, and was known originally as the Leland farm. In July of that year the work of improving the property was begun. One- half of the grounds was blessed by the Rev. Chancellor George F. Houck, as the Rt. Rev. Bishop's delegate, on the 26th of the following November, and on December the first it was opened for interments. The beautiful receiving vault, too, was then ready for use.
Calvary Cemetery was the inauguration in Cleveland of enlarged advantages for Catholics relative to the burial of their dead. It had long been the cherished hope of the people to see these looked-for things brought about. Their patience, it is true, had been severely tested in earlier years relative to order and necessary improvements in their cemetery affairs; but since Calvary, the prospective union cemetery, was established, they felt repaid, in great measure, for what inconveniences were theirs from the beginning. Because of these things they evidenced an excellent disposition, and were ready at all times to do their part, not only in practically sustaining the manager, but also in obeying his rulings and the strict and effective laws which he laid down for the regulation of everything connected with burials. purchase of lots, adornments, etc. In fact their appreciation and good disposition were a great encouragement to the manager who put forth his best efforts for the good of all.
The successful management of the cemetery, together with prompt- ness and efficiency in point of service, was assured to the Catholic public by the appointment of the Rev. Chancellor Houck to the office of manager, and by his calling Mr. Charles D. Carroll to be superinten- dent. This augury of efficiency and prompt and faithful service, which satisfied the people in 1893, has since been realized in practical results, and today (1900) a continuation of these things. with promise of addi- tional betterment both in service and further adornment. is not only indicated but assured, and is, in consequence. a great satisfaction to all.
SALUS
BEATI QU! IN DOMINO MERIVATUR
WELL ESCENT
: FACE
DEI
ST. JOSEPH'S CEMETERY (Central Cross), CLEVELAND.
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The cemetery grounds are admirably adapted for the purpose to which they are devoted, and the situation could scarcely be improved respecting ease and convenience of access. A forty five minutes' ride by street car lands one at the grounds, and since a funeral car has been provided by the street car company all approach to inconvenience has been practically done away with. Moreover, the leading thoroughfare to the place is well kept, thereby affording additional facility for visit- ing the cemetery.
The land is gently undulating and affords rare opportunity for those happy collocations and adornments which hill and vale, winding path, and roadway suggest. The lay of the land called originally for the lawn plan of plotting, which was adopted; and in keeping with it provision has been made for shade trees, shrubs, flowering plants in cozy corners, an artificial lake, and also inviting savanna stretches. Much has already been accomplished in these directions, including the fine macadamized driveways in the improved portion, the entrances from Miles avenue, and from the electric railway station near Broad- way, etc., while still more is in prospect-all of which gives promise that in the next decade Calvary Cemetery will rival in happy arrange- ment, beautification, and efficiency of service any other God's acre in the central west.
As an evidence of the faith which the people have touching the future of this cemetery, as an appreciation of the work done, and also as an argument looking to its becoming the union burial place for all the parishes, the superintendent's report shows that at this writing (1900), considerably over 8,000 interments have been made in Calvary Cemetery.
In the observance of All Souls' Day, Calvary Cemetery has always been made the great central point. Thither flock thousands to attend the devotions, and these are made of great note by those having charge of the place. While the devotion is yearly growing in observance throughout the diocese, all eyes turn to Calvary Cemetery to witness the imposing spectacle which is sure to be presented. The management has always made it a point to enforce the diocesan rule against funerals on Sundays, except in cases of necessity, which necessity points particu- larly to demises through contagious diseases. In line with this, too. is the respect for the rules governing the cemetery which the people mani- fest at all times. This is a great improvement upon the past, and is the evidence of a just appreciation of what has been accomplished in Cleve- land touching becomingness in the burial of the dead. and the keeping of the "city of polished white mansions" a place sacred to religion and suggestive of faith and praver.
ST. JOSEPH'S CEMETERY.
Previous to 1849 the Catholics of Cleveland interred the bodies of their dead in what was called the "Old Erie Street Cemetery," they having none of their own. However, January 22, 1819, Bishop Rappe purchased a fifteen acre tract of land out Woodland avenue, which loca- tion was then in the suburbs. but is now nestled in the resident portion
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of the city. Of the original fifteen acres, but four, comprising the level portion, were improved for burial purposes, the rolling portion being then regarded as not suitable. The first interment was made in St. Joseph's in 1850.
In 1878, Bishop Gilmour broke through the local prejudice against the use of rolling ground for cemetery purposes, and at once ordered undertaken the work of grading, rolling, and tiling what is now known as the new allotment. The lawn system of beautifying was adopted. and with shrubs, flowers, and well made drives the place was made quite inviting. An heroic granite cross twelve feet high, on a pedestal six feet high, occupies a central position. It cost nearly $1,000. A handsome fountain plays continually except in winter. A -receiving vault which cost $1,200, with a capacity for fifty bodies, is conveniently located, and with the several private vaults owned respectively by the Sisters of Notre Dame, the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, and the family of the late Mr. and Mrs. Peter Daly, adds much to the beauty of the place. The new allotment was blessed in 1891.
In 1878, the Rev. Chancellor George F. Houck became the mana- ger of St. Joseph's Cemetery, which responsible position he yet holds. Under his direction most of the improvements above referred to were made, and also many more, to enumerate which would be impracticable here. Among these latter, however, might be mentioned the diverting of the creek in the ravine, the drives on either of its banks connected by two iron bridges, and the retaining wall which alone cost $3,500. The total cost of improvements made under his management exceed the sum of $10,000.
St. Joseph's, though small in area, is notably well kept and quite handsome. Its original state of comparative chaos, both as regards territory, title of lot-owners, and identification of graves, has given way to the opposite ; and much desired order has been brought about to the satisfaction of all concerned. Those who have special interests in the cemetery are the descendants of the pioneer Catholics whose mortal remains rest there. These descendants are quite numerous, a fact which accounts for the wide spread veneration and affection in which Cleve- land's first Catholic cemetery is held by a very large portion of the Catholic population of Cleveland.
Mr. Charles D. Carroll has been for almost twenty years the pains- taking and capable superintendent of St. Joseph's Cemetery. To Father Houck and to him the Catholic people owe a debt of gratitude for what has been accomplished in the way of beautifying and efficiently manag- ing this earthly resting place of many of the Catholic pioneers of the See city of the diocese.
ST. JOHN'S CEMETERY.
The second cemetery provided for the Catholics of Cleveland was called St. John's. It is situated on Woodland avenue, convenient to St. Edward's and Holy Trinity Churches. The land, comprising thirteen acres, was purchased May 4. 1855, and the first interment was made in 1858. It is a sort of companion burial place to St. Joseph's, which was
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ST. JOHN'S CEMETERY, CLEVELAND.
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the first, and the demand for it was occasioned by the increase in the Catholic population.
St. John's and St. Joseph's Cemeteries, up until 1878, were in charge of the curates of St. John's Cathedral. Among these, until the Rev. Chancellor Houck became manager in that year, were the Revs. T. P. Thorpe, Thomas J. Conlon, Joseph F. Gallagher, T. F. Mahar, D. D., and others. In those days, too, Mr. Patrick Roach was, and for twenty years had been, the faithful sexton. He died, November, 1882.
The unmodern plan and appearance of St. John's Cemetery are accounted for from the fact that, in 1855, it was laid out after the old system. Lot owners, too, were permitted to make their own improve- ments and adornments. Some made a little showing in these respects, while others neglected them entirely. In consequence the place wore a forlorn appearance. It looked deserted, neglected. However, a change for the better took place with the advent of Father Houck as manager, in 1878, and since then the face of things there has been renewed and beautified. It is now enclosed by a neat iron fence; a receiving vault that was built at a cost of $1,500, in 1865, remains an adornment and convenience, and the private vault of Mr. Thomas Maher is a notable addition to the improvements.
It is in St. John's that all the priests of Cleveland who have passed away, and many others dying outside of Cleveland, who belonged in the neighborhood, are buried. The plot set apart for them is both central and handsome and is adorned with several monuments, notably those erected in memory of the Very Rev. James Conlan, V. G., the Rev. Francis Westerholt, the Rev. A. R. Sidley, and others.
Considering the old-time plan of the cemetery, and the difficulty of building creditably on a foundation which in great measure precludes improvement in design and possibly in ornament also, it can, neverthe- less, be said that St. John's is a cosy "city of the dead," for it is kept neat, clean and orderly. Its management is all that can be looked for, and to a large portion of the Catholic people it is a cherished spot whose plainness and neatness tell of a simplicity which, to many minds, is most becoming in a place set apart for the burial of the dead. It does seem in good keeping, too, that, since a portion of it is devoted to the inter- ment of priests, whose lives are expected to be plain and far removed from ostentation, it can at least rejoice in this evidence of the harmony of its lack of ornateness with the simple lives of many whose mortal remains rest in its bosom.
Of late years no efforts have been spared by Father Houck as manager, or by the superintendent, Mr. Charles D. Carroll, to keep it in good repair, and to add a blossom here and there to relieve the barren- ness and give an additional glow to the rosy hope of the living that, in the great day of general resurrection, it will not matter much how poorly planned our cemeteries were, or how neglected our graves, so long as the trumpet note that will call us from the tomb will be but the invitation to enter into the garden of delights in the Paradise of God.
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TOLEDO. CALVARY CEMETERY.
A much needed and economical improvement for the Catholics of Toledo was the founding, in 1886, of Calvary Cemetery as the burial place for the dead of all the congregations of that city. It was also a thing much to be desired, for the four cemeteries then in use were any- thing but well managed, and besides they were far from approaching what religion and piety demand in Christian sepulchral surroundings,
Bishop Gilmour was aware of these things, and to remedy them he resolved upon establishing a union burial place which, when properly conducted, would meet the wants of all the parishes and satisfy the requirements of religion. He impressed the great necessity for the improvement he had in mind upon both the priests and laity, and to the perfecting of the undertaking he devoted much of his time and not a little of his private means. It now stands prominent among the many other things in the diocese which bear the evidences of his wisdom and great care.
The cemetery is situated west of the city, and is reached by two of the principal thoroughfares, one of which is macadamized from the city limits to the cemetery and has a street car line which gives good service. It comprises fifty-one acres. The land is rolling and sandy, with a natural stream of water passing through it, and an artificial lake. Twenty acres have been drained, platted and improved, wherein over 6,000 interments, including the bodies transferred from the old ceme- teries, have been made since the opening of the cemetery, in 1887, when Bishop Gilmour blessed it. The improved portion is irrigated with city water; an artesian well to supply drinking water has been sunk; and trees and shrubs abound which add materially to the lawn plan of beau- tifying which has been adopted. Among the substantial improvements are a sexton's house, a greenhouse, macadamized roadways, and a receiving vault with a capacity for seventy-five bodies.
The plot set apart for the interment of priests of Toledo and vicinity is centrally and beautifully situated, and the circular arrange- ment for the graves has been adopted. An impressive statue, the Pieta, is proposed by the board of managers to adorn the sacerdotal plot, and granite marking blocks with appropriate emblems and mortises for names will be used to designate the graves.
The excellence of the business management has enabled those in charge to meet all the running expenses of the place, and even to gradually lessen the debt incurred in the purchase of the land. Look- ing to the raising of revenue, the price of lots range from fifty cents to seventy-five cents a square foot, according to location. The charge for single graves is from four to eight dollars, according to size. The greenhouse, too, has been made a source of profit, and the demand for its product has increased to such proportions that an addition was an absolute necessity. The old one was enlarged and a new one erected, together with a large and commodious heating plant. The Catholic people are so well pleased with the cemetery that they gladly comply
CALVARY CEMETERY (View Looking West), TOLEDO.
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with all laws and requirements making for its betterment and adorn- ment, and are prompt in attending All Souls' Day exercises on the grounds. Even at this writing such progress has been made in improv- ing and beautifying the place as to entitle it to more than passing recog- nition. With this much accomplished within the space of fifteen years the present generation may be privileged to witness greater things before they are called to peaceful sepulture within its sacred precincts.
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