Jan. 24, 1931: FIND BURIALS MADE WITH NO PERMIT GIVEN

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on January 24, 1931.

FIND BURIALS MADE WITH NO PERMIT GIVEN

Burials in Maplewood cemetery, the city’s burying ground, without first obtaining a permit from the city clerk’s office, irked members of the city council when the incident was brought to their attention at Friday night’s session by Councilman Myers E. Zimmerman, chairman of the cemetery committee.

What is more, the practice of allowing interments without the necessary payments without the necessary payment of from $12 to $15 has not halted despite repeated orders on the part of the cemetery committee to Ross Corson, Maplewood sexton, not to allow grave openings unless permits from the city clerk are first obtained.

City Clerk Flora E. Kenny was unable to shed any light on some recent burials other than to say that she has never been approached for the purpose of issuing permits.

“The only time I know when burials take place is when I read about them in the newspaper,” she told council members.

Councilman Zimmerman informed his colleagues that he had warned the sexton not to permit further burials without permits, but his order has gone unheeded.

“Give him one more chance and then if he fails to obey, remove him,” was the consensus of opinion among the council.

Corson, who is in charge of the cemetery, receives a $125 per month salary. He is said to be an experienced cemetery man and has been doing fine work in bringing up burying ground to the point where it is a distinct credit to the city.

When the Schenck administration took office the first of the year, a number of delinquent burials were on the clerk’s books. Members of the cemetery committee notified the delinquents and the accounts were finally collected. Now the committee does not propose to continue to act in the role of a collection agency.

Early this year, Councilman Zimmerman, of the cemetery committee, proposed a plan whereby the care and upkeep of Maplewood be turned over to Graceland cemetery officials. Both cemeteries adjoin one another. The plan, however, fell through, when other members of the council failed to acquiesce.

Oct. 9, 1945: Varied List Of Problems Occupy ‘Dads’

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on October 9, 1945.

Varied List Of Problems Occupy ‘Dads’

Maplewood Cemetery, largest and second oldest of the city’s three burial grounds, is undergoing rehabilitation from its “disgraceful condition,” which has existed since the departure of Ross Corson, sexton, two years ago.

This was revealed at Monday night’s city council meeting when a list of equipment needed at Maplewood was read by Mayor G. O. Conover.

Incidentally, it was revealed that Ray Collar was in charge of cemetery upkeep. For many months the council had been trying to hire a man, without avail.

For the last two years just prior to Memorial Day, when cemeteries are visited by hundreds of persons to decorate graves of soldiers and loved ones, the city has made special efforts to doll up Maplewood.

Because of the help problem, City Street Commissioner Harry Gustafson was drafted to mow the tall weeks and collect rubbish. This year the burial plot was neglected because of press of other businesses.

Mayor Conover’s equipment list for the cemetery included a power lawn mower and cycle mower. These machines he said, can not now be purchased. Fire Chief Wilbur Cowdrey said the fire department had a rubber-tired wheelbarrow which it would donate. The council voted to turn the list over to the purchasing committee for action.

Along with the cemetery cleanup and equipment purchase, Mayor Conover told the council the sexton would like to have electrical current put in the cemetery chanty. The current will be used to run a grinder for sharpening cycles. The grinder for sharpening cycles. The grinder will be supplied by Graceland Cemetery and used in cooperation with that cemetery. The request was ordered by the council.

No action was taken by the council to increase the grace opening permit fee at Maplewood. The city charges $10 now, but this is less than is charged by other cemeteries.

Street Commissioner Harry Gustafson called attention to the annual custom of burning leaves on asphalt streets. The council authorized him to give notice by publication warning persons against this violation.

Because the old snow plow has no safety device and is almost worn out, the council authorized Street Commissioner Gustafson to get quotations on a new plow.

An offer of A.O. Van Drake to purchase for, $40 an 18-foot length of corrugated sewer pipe to place across Smith ditch on his property at State Road 49 and 2 was delayed until it is determined whether the city will need it. The council, however, authorized sale of one length of pipe, now in possession of the Armco Drainage Company, of Crawfordsville. The pipe was taken by the company for reconditioning but it was found it would not be feasible to do so. The company informed the city it had a buyer for $40. The pipe at present is in southern Indiana.

Paul Hibbard was given permission by the council to erect a canopy over the sidewalk at his property, 307 Lincolnway, in connection with the construction of a store front for his music store.

This council authorized purchase of two new tires for the police car after Chief Jerome Frakes reported the auto was not only in bad condition, but two tires were also worn out. The council has been trying to buy a new car, but has been unsuccessful. An appropriation of $1,500 has been set up for next year.

A break in the West End sewer was reported, and about 30 feet of pipe and three bands will be needed to make repair, Sewer Commissioner Edward Deu said. The city has 20 feet of pipe on hand. Quicksand caused the break, Deu said. A digger will be needed to excavate. Deu was told to purchase the pipe and bands.

At the instance of City Atty. George W. Douglas three appraisers who acted in evaluating properties taken over by the city because of delinquencies in assessments resulting from construction of District Sewer No. 1, on which the city paid the outstanding bonds, will be employed to appraise several parcels near the Nickel Plate Depot, which were not appraised in the original undertaking.

The city attorney said he was watching out for the city’s interests in the recent Forest Park foreclosure suits brought in circuit court, in which the city is a party.