Cemeteries
The Coultervale Cemetery from "Sourisford and Area 1879"
The Coultervale Cemetery was surveyed in 1898 and located on the N.W.
corner of 22-1-27. A great many of the pioneers of the area have been
laid to rest there. A cemetery committee supported by the resiŽdents of
the district keeps the cemetery in good condition.
Melita Cemetery
In September, 1892 the municipal council comŽpleted the purchase of
nine acres of land from Mr. T. D. Sturgeon, and had it surveyed for a
cemetery. This cemetery is located about a mile west of Melita on a
bank of the creek — high and dry. Lots no. 144 to 170 inclusive were
set aside in 1899 for paupers and strangers.
In October 1904 at a Board of Trade meeting, G. L. Dodds and A. B.
Estlin were appointed to look into the matter of proper caretaking of
the cemetery. Consequently two members were appointed from Arthur
Municipality, two from town council and four members met with the Board
of Trade committee in October. The committee consisted of W. Kilkenny
and J. Williams — Arthur Municipality; C. P. Estlin and T. W. Sturgeon
— Town of Melita; G. L. Dodds - Melita Board of Trade; Mayor Estlin in
the chair and A. B. Estlin as secretary.
In August 1907 the Arthur Council gave $400 for construction of a vault
and improvements to Melita Cemetery. The morgue was built in 1908 by
Johnston and Pope. Lots sold for $2 per grave.
In June 1925, 50 roots of peony, iris and bleeding heart, were donated
by "Peony Farm", Portage La Prairie to the Cemetery board. In the fall
of 1927, 1000 tulip bulbs were planted.
By 1936 the appearance of the cemetery had suffered extensively from
drought. Nathan House was to supervise the cemetery that year.
The rough iron gates were built into the fence about 1969. This project
was undertaken by the Rebekah Lodge in honor of their 60th Anniversary.
In 1982 the responsibility of the cemetery falls to the rural council,
who in turn bill half the expenses to the town on an annual basis.
Some of the caretakers have been Mr. Storey, Mrs. Lodwick, Percy
Loucks, Glen Gordon, Herb Pickett and George Anderson. |
