PARK AND CEMETERY, 
123 
ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE CEMETERY 
SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION. 
The Twelfth Annual Convention of the Asso- 
ciation of American Cemetery Superintendents was 
held at the Dellone Hotel, Omaha, Neb., Septem- 
ber 13, 14, and 15. Pleasant weather, an excellent 
programme and an attendance fully up to expecta- 
tions with the added pleasure of the opportunity of 
visiting the Trans-Mississippi Exposition made the 
occasion very enjoyable throughout. 
At the opening session Divine blessing was in- 
voked by Rev. LeRoy S. Hand of Omaha, and a 
most cordial welcome was extended to the superin- 
tendents by Mayor Frank E. Moores. At the con- 
clusion of his witty address the mayor presented 
President Creesy with two golden keys tied with 
red, white and blue ribbons. On one of the keys 
was inscribed the mayor’s telephone number to be 
used in case of an emergency which happily did not 
arise. In replying President Creesy presented 
Mayor Moores with a china cup and saucer from 
Salem, the city of witches, as a souvenir of the oc- 
casion. 
The President read his annual address which was 
as follows: 
Ladies , Gentlemen and Friends of the American Cemetery 
Superintendents A ssoc iat ia n : 
It is with very great pleasure that we welcome you to this, 
our Twelfth Annual Convention. I shall not attempt to give 
you a summary of what we have accomplished during these 
years, for the first speaker on the programme has that assigned 
to him, and I am sure that he can give you a more graphic 
account, and also our beloved Father Nichols, will speak for 
all of us on “The pleasure we take in seeing our work expand.” 
And there has been and will be, such a quantity of helpful 
knowledge for the benefit of all, that I feel inclined to speak 
especially to the new members, and to say just a few words of 
kindly advice. 
First, try to visit as many cemeteries as you possibly 
can during the year, or on your way to and from the Conven- 
tion. Second: While there, ask all the questions you like for 
you may be sure of their being answered to the best ability of 
the superintendent. Thirdly: Remember no two cemeteries 
are situated alike, and if the grounds you represent, may not be 
one of the Modern Lawn Cemeteries, go home determined to 
make of it just the very best you can. 
I offer these suggestions from personal experience in many 
visits. I think I have gained a great deal of knowledge that could 
have been had in no other way. Consider if you will, Swan 
Point, Providence, R. I., where a large amount of natural beauty 
with the genius of its superintendent, has given us one of the 
prettiest spots, and the new outer wall recently completed is 
the most unique boundary one ever saw, and I only hope you 
will all see it some day in the near future. 
A visit to Calvary, St. Louis, proves what may be accom- 
plished, with much patience and perseverance on the part of 
the superintendent. 
Pine Grove, Lynn, Mass., where rich and poor are treated 
with squal respect, and a look at this Cemetery would prove 
that its cuperintendent puts his whole heart into his work. 
At Rochester, N. Y., we see the ideal modern ground 
where only monuments are to be seen: all grave markers and 
corner posts are placed even with the grass. Perhaps 
some here will recall, when this plan was brought to our atten- 
tion, very few thought it would be possible to carry it into effect, 
but one visit there will prove what a beautiful view it is, to 
stand at the entrance and look down over the ground. 
Those of us who remember Spring Grove, Cincinnati, as we 
first saw it ten years ago, and compare it with its beauties of last 
season, realize what a marvelous improvement has been going on 
and we believe perhaps, something of this may be due to the 
influence of our Association. 
It has been my pleasure to visit the cemeteries of Dayton, 
Toledo, Cleveland, Akron, Columbus, Ohio; Syracuse, 
Rochester, Troy, New York; Newark, N. J., and many others, 
and from each of these visits, I at least have learned one good 
point. Let us remember that we are very young, only twelve 
years old, yet much has been done for burial grounds. 
In many of our old cemeteries, lots have been sold, and no 
provisions have been made to care for the same. Should we, 
as superintendents be satisfied with this state of affairs today, 
and let these lots disgrace the new, and modern idea of Perpe- 
tual Care? No! We should all try to find the original owners 
or some one of their representatives, and if possible prevail 
upon them to place the old family lot under perpetual care, 
and by so doing we can in a short time renovate these old sec- 
tions, and in a few years, we can have our old grounds in keep- 
ing with the parklike cemeteries of to day. 
Inthe State of Massachusetts during the last sessions of the 
legislature six new charters were granted for the incorporation 
of new grounds, and if this is true of our old and somewhat 
smaller State, how much more thought must have been given to 
the same subject, by our newer and larger Western States? 
In passing, shall we not stop a moment to remember our 
brave boys of the Maine, that were laid to rest at Havana in 
February, others at Santiago in June, although these graves are 
few in number, shall we forget them? 
Their epitaph the best of all 
In hearts and song and story — 
“Remembering their country’s call 
They died for good Old Glory!” 
And now, uniting with you in congratulations, upon your 
prosperous condition and the promise of future progress, as I 
close my labors as your president, 1 wish at this time to express 
my appreciation of your great kindness to me and to thank the 
Executive Committee, who, while endeavoring to arrange mat- 
ters satisfactorily to all, have guarded our Association’s interest, 
with great tact and ability, and so it will be our duty to main- 
tain this present state of efficiency, and endeavor to improve it. 
Although we may fill various offices, let us remember we are all 
brothers together. 
May the bond of friendship be strengthened, the harmony 
of one noble purpose, run through all our acts, so that united in 
work, friendship, purpose and zeal, we shall earn and receive 
from our various communities, “Well Done.” 
In the annual report of the Secretary and Treas- 
urer, Mr. Eurich referred at some length to the advis- 
ability of making an effort to enlist the co-operation of 
all cemetery officials and thus extend the influence 
and good work of the association. This he thought 
was possible by a change of name, the present title 
of the association being such as to conceal the iden- 
tity of all officials not superintendents of cemeter- 
ies. The present limited membership he attrib- 
uted largely to the “restricted name” and only a 
bright and prosperous future could result from the 
