1873-03-22 Letter from Jacob Bigelow to the Trustees, 1831.014.004-003

NOTE: letter folded out so that first image contains on right of the fold the first page of the document and on left "page 3." Transcription will start with text left of the fold (pg3)

6^th. The window sashes and glass will require occasional in-spection.

7^th In the outside Iron Fence the Tenons are cemented into mortices in the Ports by means of brimstone,^which thereby generating an acid, whichcorrodes the iron, andwhichought to be replaced with lime-mortar on some cement of which lime forms a part.

8^th The receiving Tomb, constructed at a heavy cost, ought to produce an income. In order to prevent the nuisance by which man other Tombs are troubled, the walls and vaults should be made unquestionably tight, unless in places provided for the abosrption of Gas.

[Below is page one of the letter:]

To the Trustees of Mnt. Auburn Cemetery

Having been conversant for more than forty years with most of the large operations in Mount Auburn Cemetery, I am desirous to leave on file or on record some account of those construcctions which may be likely hereafter to require repairs or alterations, and which may sometimes be difficult to find,

1^st The Well which supplies the Fountains, is a few feet inside of the eastern fence. It is dug in a quicksand, the bed of which is apparently below the bed of Charles River and is filled with springs which make the bottom turbid and throw sand into the Pipes, which scratches and othrewise

2 damages the Steam Engine. The remedy will be to make a new and large well outside of Coolidge Avenue on the East, and remove the Steam Engine to that locality - thus reserving for Cemetery purposes the land now occupied by the Hytdraulic Works.

2^nd. The Corporation have a right of drainage into Charles River through the Coolidge Lot adjoining Coolidge Avenue and owned by Mount Auburn.

3^rd. The Water Pipes in Mount Auburn are mostly made of Sheet iron coated on the inside and outside with hyudraulic cement, furnished by the patentees Messrs.[?] of New York They will probably be found to require repair sooner than if made of more durable material. Those in Frountain Arenue are

[right side of page:] already believed to be in a leaky condition.

4^th The Reservoir which feeds the Fountains is near the top of Mnt. Auburn, and is kept full while the Engine is working, by a pipe leading towards the Tower from the West. The Vault which covers this Resevoir ^{(and is under the Path)} should be examined at least annually for safety.

5^th The hot air flue by which the Chapel is warmed was made by cutting a pasage from the furnace ner the northern base of the bank, through the foundation wall of the Chapel to about the centre of the floor and passes dangerously near to the base of the north east columns. It should be secured laterally bt filling the intervening space with rubble and cement.

4. 9^th I submit to the wisdom of the Trustees, that as a general rule, Lawsuits should be avoided, and Improvements postponed, until they are needed

With great respect

Jacob Bigelow

March 22. 1873.

[page was turned upside down to record the statement below:] Jacob Bigelow M. D. March 22^d 1873 Rep to Com,. on Grounds April 9^th 1873 (V = 213) Ord^dto be placed on file May 14, 1873. (V=217)