The Beginning of Rose Hill Cemetery, 1916, Tyler, Smith Co, TX

Submitted by East Texas Genealogical Society 
P. O. Box 6967, 
Tyler, TX 75711 

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Tyler Daily Courier-Times, Thursday, January 13, 1916, Page Three:

CEMETERY PLANS FOR CITY OF TYLER

	A joint meeting of directors of the Commercial Club 
and the Young Men's Business Club was held yesterday afternoon 
in the directors room of the Y. M. B. C. for the purpose of 
discussing the needs of the city in the matter of a cemetery.

	Mr. C. W. Hughes of Marshalltown, Iowa, a landscape 
engineer, was present and addressed the meeting upon the modern 
idea of having a beautiful place for the burial of the dead and 
one where maintenance and care of the grounds and lots was 
provided for perpetually.

	Mr. Hughes stated that he had looked over the available 
ground here for cemetery purposes and that he had found one that 
was situated ideally which would lend itself to the 
beautification. This land, about twenty seven acres, would cost 
five thousand dollars and he estimated that to make a first 
class modern cemetery there would cost in the neighborhood of 
six thousand dollars and he proposed a stock company be formed 
with a capital of twelve thousand dollars and of this amount he 
was willing to subscribe two thousand dollars.

	A number of those present expressed themselves upon the 
subject and all agreed that Tyler needs a cemetery and needs it 
badly but the majority expressed the idea that the city should 
own the cemetery for in that way lots could be sold to the people 
cheaper than if owned by a private corporation.

	A committee of Dabney White, F. E. Williams, J. V. 
Hughes, W. B. Marsh, and L. A. Starley was appointed to confer 
with Mr. Hughes and to make recommendation to the two clubs of 
their findings.

	There is no question but that Tyler need additional 
cemetery facilities and the movement is one in which every 
citizen should take part and give his help.

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From Tyler Daily Courier-Times, Friday, January 14, 1916, Page Six:

MODERN ADEQUATE CEMETERY IS ASSURED FOR THIS CITY

	Tyler is to have a modern twentieth century cemetery 
in the very near future if the present materialize and there 
seen to be no reason why they should not.

	The plan is now decided upon congrounds (sic) by the 
city, the improvement of these grounds under the supervision 
of a landscape engineer. And the perpetual maintainance (sic) 
of the burial grounds in an up to date and pleasing manner.

	The committee which was appointed by the joint 
meeting of directors of the Commercial Club and the 
Y. M. B. C. held Wednesday afternoon, met in the Y. M. B. C. 
rooms yesterday morning and devised a plan and then meet in 
afternoon with the members of city commission and explained 
the plan for discussion.

	The commission then met and instructed the same 
committee to secure data upon available locations and to 
report at one to the commission their findings.

	The plan as proposed contemplates the purchase by 
the city of a suitable plot and the organization of a 
mutual association of lot owners and the management of 
the affairs of the cemetery by a board composed of probably 
one member of the commission and other citizens.

	A portion of the receipts to be placed in a sinking 
fund, the interest from which would be used for perpetual 
maintainance.(sic). The committee which was appointed is 
investigating today and the available locations and will 
report definitely to the city commission the first of next 
week.

	Those who have discussed the proposed modern 
cemetery are enthusiastic over the proposition as all 
agree that Tyler needs this cemetery at once.

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Tyler Daily Courier-Times, Tuesday, January 18, 1916, Page Six:

MODERN CEMETERY ASSURED FOR THE CITY OF TYLER

Committee Authorized to Purchase Tract On South Broadway For Modern Up 
To Date Burial Ground

	Tyler is to have a modern up to date splendidly laid out and 
cared for cemetery if the City Commission has its way and there seems 
no reason why it should not. This cemetery is to be located at the South 
end of Broadway and the plans contemplate one of the prettiest and most 
sightly cemeteries to be found anywhere.

	The city commission held a meeting yesterday afternoon, which 
had been appointed first by the directors of the Commercial Club and 
Young Men's Business Club and later by the City Commission had its 
report ready which is printed herewith.

	After the report of the committee had been read the matter was 
discussed at length and it was then moved and carried that the report 
be received and later a motion was made that the same committee with 
the addition of Commissioner Ranklin be empowered to go ahead with the 
plans and to take the necessary steps to purchase the land desired and 
to make the notes bearing eight per cent interest.

	The cemetery, as planned, will fill a long felt want in Tyler 
and will not require the outlay of any money at this time. In other 
words it will not increase taxes for the reason that it is believed 
the sale of lots will more than enable the commission to meet all 
payments necessary for the purchase and preparation of the ground.

	The report of the committee to the commission, herewith attached 
is of interest and covers the matter fully and should be read by every 
citizen. At the meeting yesterday all Commissioners, except A. F. Sledge, 
were present. The report follows:
						January 17, 1916
	Cemetery Committee Report
 
To the Hon. John Durst,

	Chairman City Commission.

	Sir: --We, your Cemetery Commission, selected by your commission 
a few days ago to investigate and report back to you as soon as possible 
upon all available and practical sites for a cemetery for the city of 
Tyler, beg leave to report as follows:

	The undersigned committee, together with Mr. Hughes, the landscape 
gardener, who has also had considerable experience in establishing 
cemeteries, have carefully considered each and every place considered 
available and practical for a cemetery for the city of Tyler. Our 
investigation was followed in the knowledge and belief that this cemetery 
should be selected somewhere near the various ends of the street car 
system in order to afford the public facilities for getting to and from 
the cemetery, in as much as we believe the nature of the cemetery that we 
are proposing to create for the city of Tyler will also occupy the 
relationship of a park and naturally many people will need and desire 
facilities for getting to and from said place.

	The first place considered by your committee was the tract of 
land known as the March property situated in North Tyler about two blocks 
from the end of what is now known as Boren street. This body of land we 
are informed contains about fifty four acres of land. About one third of 
this land contains ravines or draws leading into a creek bottom and a part 
of the land herein so effected we would not consider could be made a place 
for burial purposes. The inspection of this tract of land was made under 
the impression that the owners of same were asking two hundred dollars per 
acre provided the city buys the whole fifty four acres. It appears from a 
careful study of the surrounding ground that it will be necessary for the 
city to extend Boren street in a Northern direction about two blocks in 
order to reach the entrance to this cemetery as this intervening ground is 
not now in a condition that makes the road an established thoroughfare. It 
will also be necessary for the present street car line to be extended from 
its present end on North Bois d'Arc a distance of about three blocks in order 
to reach the entrance to this proposed site. There are a number of residences 
within a block of the South site of this proposed site and one or two others 
within a closer distance. Your attention is also called to the fact that in 
reaching this proposed site it will be necessary for the majority of the 
traveling public to cross both the Cotton Belt and the I. & G. N. railways 
in order to reach these grounds.

	The next available site considered was fifty acres of land offered 
by the Herndon Estate which is situated directly west of the fair grounds. 
This nearest public street reaching these grounds is from the street which is 
now considered passable to the fair grounds. It would be necessary for this 
street to be opened up a distance of several hundred feet and graded and 
worked either by the city or the cemetery association in order to reach 
these grounds. It would also be necessary for the street car line to be 
extended the same distance as its line now stops at or near the fair 
grounds. This body of land is offered to the city for the sum of two 
hundred dollars per acre, one thousand dollars cash and balance in notes 
bearing six per cent interest. Your committee in order to inspect these 
grounds traveled the Porters Bluff road to where same intersected by the 
Green Briar road and then traveled the Green Briar road about two hundred 
yards to get to the western entrance to this proposed site. The owners of 
this land called our especial attention to the fact that within two hundred 
yards of same there is a switch of the Cotton Belt railway which no doubt 
would be of considerable saving to the owners of heavy monuments as they 
could be taken from this switch to the proposed sit at a considerable savings.

	Your committee also inspected the land situated at the end of the 
street car line where it reaches the Winona road. This land is under the 
control of Mr. J. L. Booty and he advises us that a number of lots have been 
sold on this property for residence purposes and it is not considered 
practical to attempt to buy this land for the purpose that is proposed.

	We are also calling your attention to the fact that we have 
considered the property heretofore known as the Adams and Baldwin farm 
in East Tyler but we have been informed that a part of this property has 
been sold by the original owners with the understanding that the balance 
would not be used for cemetery purposes. In any event we would not consider
this property available or practical for the purposes sought in as much as 
said property is a considerable distance from any street car line and it 
would be necessary to climb quite a hilly country in order to reach same.

	We also find that it is practical to consider the Scott property in 
East Tyler as it has been decided by practical parties that this ground is 
not suitable for cemetery purposes.

	We are calling your especial attention to our investigation of an 
available and practical site in South Tyler at the end of Broadway just 
without the city limits where there is a tract of land known as the Homvassy 
place. The tract considered there contains forty-five acres. The west line 
of this tract would parallel the west line of Broadway and the east line of 
said tract would parallel an unnamed road extending from Broadway to 
Donnybrook. This property is outside of the city limits and upon careful 
investigation we find that every foot of the site of forty-five acres in 
time will be available for the purpose herein mentioned. The land is free 
of stumps and contains at present peach trees which can be economically 
removed. There is only one house any where near this proposed site and we 
do not know that its owner objects to this site being declared our city 
cemetery. The purchase price being one hundred and fifty dollars for the 
first eleven acres lying along the unnamed road extending from Broadway 
to Donnybrook and for the balance of necessary tract a price of one hundred 
dollars per acre. In other words the forty-five acres will cost the city 
about one hundred and ten dollars per acre for the entire tract. The present 
owner of this property agreed to accept in payment of same a series of five 
note payable on or before each year following. The present at ten per cent 
interest.

	We are calling your attention to the fact that the present street 
car runs within a few blocks of the western entrance to these grounds and 
we are assured that the line will be extended to within one block of the 
main entrance. We are also calling your especial attention to the fact that 
the entrance to these grounds will be at the end of South Broadway, our 
most perfect driveway within the city limits, and it will not be necessary 
for the city to spend any great amount of money in order to extend this 
street to the main entrance. It is also to be considered that in reaching 
this site the majority of the people of Tyler will not have to cross any 
railroad in getting to or from this proposed site.

	The landscape gardener, Mr. Hughes, who accompanied our party upon 
this investigation expresses the opinion that the property considered in 
North Tyler and the property considered in South Tyler are most practical 
of the sites considered and the further opinion that either of these sites 
can be a park like and beautiful cemetery.

	We respectfully submit the above data for your consideration, 
assuring you that we have considered all of these sites without selfish 
motives, believing only that it is absolutely necessary for the proposed 
site to be one of the sites that we have herein called your attention to.

						DABNEY WHITE.
						L. A. STARLEY
						JNO. V. HUGHES
						F. E. WILLIAMS
						W. B. MARSH