Mount Auburn Cemetery

420

16 Pemberton Square,

May 26, [186]8

T.A. Chapman Esq. Milwaukee Wis. --

Dear Sir,

Out Treas^r, Mr Bond, has sent me your note of May 13^th requesting me to reply to it:

I regret to perceive that you have got an erronous impression in the matter. The bill as I see, is $53.25 for the first grading and sodding the lot. Your lot (no 3530 Mound Avenue) was graded up with a line of lots of which Mr Collier's is first and Mr Clark's last -- in advance of sale. The Corporation only occasionally grades lot before sale, and invariably, when this is done, adds the price of grading to the piece of land. Your land (400 feet) as you find in your deed cost you $600. This was for land in its naked condition. You may have got the idea that the $600 covered the whole from the fact that it was graded when you first saw it. The reason we make the charge for the land and grading separate is that we divide proceeds of land with the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, and it has no interest in the work -- so we keep separate accounts, & the bills are rendered separately to the purchaser.

Every other gentleman near you has been charged this separate bill in the same way and has paid it. The fact, that if one

Apr. 20^th [18]69

T.A. Chapman Esq

Dear Sir,

In reply to your communication of Jany 26^th respecting care of your lot this season, I have waited to inquire at Mt Auburn before replying.

No proper care can be given to your lot for "three or three and a half dollars". It is a fine lot among other beautiful lots, none of which have less than $8.00 worth of work for cutting grass & plants.

If you wish it to be in keeping with other lots in the neighborhood, you should give us your order for "care of lot for 1869, with plants $8.00."

Or we will keep the grass well cut for $5. -- Your lot has 400 feet, & these rates are the same that we have for lots of 200 feet --

Only the smallest lots can be taken for such rates as you named.

The price at Forest Hills Cemetery (as per circular before me) "for the annual care of a lot of 300 feet, with flowers is 8.00: for a lot of 300 feet without flowers $5.00."

I trust you will not let so beautiful a lot fall behind -- for after all, a fine [lot] cannot well be neglected for a single year. "This proprietor does not visit his lot" -- is the judgment of the passer by on lots uncared for.

Yours truly

A.J. Coolidge

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