Mount Auburn Cemetery

Nov. 24 [186]5

John T. Heard Esq

Dear Sir,

I will present your paper-extract from will of Mrs Gurney -- to the Trustees, if you desire, but it is nothing on which they can act.

As I suggested to you, the only feasible plan I can see (if it can be accomplished, of which I am by no means certain) is to have the parties release enough from the income to enable you to make a perpetual contract with our Corporation for the care of the lot & get the S.J. Court to decree accordingly.

Then the subject comes up in shape for action by our board. Now they have no power.

Very Resp.y yrs.

A.J. Coolidge Sec.y

Nov^r 24, [186]5

H.D. Bacon Esq San Francisco, Cal.

Dear Sir,

Your favor of Oct 20^th from St. Louis respecting the disposition which Mrs Sophia L.B. Jones is alleged to have made in her will of lot no. 1131 in Mt Auburn was duly rec^d.

In reply, I have to say that Mrs Jones was on the 5^th of March 1860, upon her own request designated to "represent" said lot under the Charter, an extract from which I send you. If Mr Thos. Jones devised this lot to his wife by will, it was hers to convey or devise again: but as she represents herself to be "administratrix" in the petition for the abovementioned designation, I can only infer that Mrs Jones left no will.

299

March 19^th [186]7

Mr T. Rice Esq

Dear Sir,

Will you be so kind as to inquire (if need be) and inform me of the present residence of Dr Jerome V. C. Smith, formerly mayor of Boston, since resident in New Orleans at some time during the war.

Also Fred^k A. Peterson who was in business in New Orleans ^^{in 1857,} & perhaps still is, although I have a vague idea he went to Texas. He had a sister Mrs J. C. Farnsworth (Margaret A) who died in 1861 aged 33 yr. She was in Boston in 1857 & subsequently as I lost track of her. At the time of her death she was described to be of St. Louis.

Both of these parties are proprietors of lots in the Cemetery. I don't wish you to take too much trouble, but if you can easily get information, I will thank you. Your early answer will oblige.

Yours truly

A.J. Coolidge

369

Subject: Cremation Society

To the Superintendent of Mount Auburn Cemetary.

Will you please answer the following questions & oblige "The Saint Louis Cremation Society"- When did burials commence in your Cem. How many were buried there in 1860 [How many were buried there in] 1879 What is the whole number buried there. How many lots does it contain. What is the average price of lots. How many will a lot accomodate. Any other information will be gladly rec^d -

Henry S. Chase M.D. Presient of "The Saint Louis Cremation Society" -

919 Olive St St Louis Jun 17^th 1880.