1879-07-21 Letter: Mary E. Stearns to H. B. MacKintosh, "bitter complaint" about tulip bulbs, 2014.020.003-012

Subject: Bitter complaint

1454

[stamp: MT. AUBURN CEMETERY JUL 24 1879 16 PEMBERTON SQ. BOSTON ]

Medford, July 21st 1879.

1879 1454 {care {stoporder 1878 {care only 1877 {care--

H.B. Macintosh, Esq.

Refd to Supt for reply HBMTr

Dear Sirs. In December of 1877. I planted on my dear Boy's grave at Mt. Auburn/Lot 1454./ One hundred choice Tulip bulbs, every one of which bloomed the next May - and were left to dry off. I planting in the spaces between strong roots of periwinkle to take their place. This spring, in May, when I visited the spot not a single Tulip was to be found, nor the slightest trace of one, not even a bulblet, or vestige of outside skin. Show-

[last page: out of order, pg 4 of 4] and dell periwinkle at that rate, the Corporation ought to know it. And there is great complaint. I know that one man in the employ there was very dishonest. If their hands could have been employed in removing the rubbish of stone work for which service I paid a large bill at your office, and then had to send my man to remove it, it would square more nicely with justice. The Lot has never been cared for, in any proportion to what I have yearly paid

Can I have any redress, or protection from this vandalism? My son who takes this to you, will add his testimony, also further statements.

Respectfully - Mary E Stearns.

ing to any practiced eye, that every bulb had been lifted, while the dry stalk adhered. Mice, and squirrels, would not have done their work so thoroughly, and if they did not meddle with them the first year, why should they the second? This is not all. The Perriwinkle is constantly being robbed from my husband's grave. This Spring, I found only a few scattering roots upon it, and went over, set out, with my own hands, more than a hundred good roots; my man carrying with him, excellent composte to secure a vigerous growth. The other graves in the

lot, were refitted in the same manner, or account of similar loss.

My man watered it abundantly, and fine rains followed. Owing to illness, I have not been able to visit the spot until yesterday when to my increased annoyance I found the Periwinkle I had set with so much pains, all cut away, and the same bare space of dreary earth, all around the graves. Besides it had been thinned-out, to meagreness, on the top. and had also been cut, for cuttings. A Lady told me she paid a gardener at Mt Auburn Seven Dollars, for a very sparse covering of Periwinkle for two graves. An enormous ch'g!

If the men there can rob graves