Eureka cemetery to fix fence
EUREKA — Road salt and car crashes have taken their toll on 700feet of wrought iron fence at Olio Township Cemetery along MainStreet.
A bequest from a widow has allowed the cemetery board to replacethe section of fence that was originally built in 1906 and receivedsubstantial repairs in the mid 1970s.
“It was falling apart and that makes it hard when you mow,” JanHolliger, who begins her 40th year as a cemetery caretaker inJanuary, said. “What’s going up is all powder-treated to help fightthe salt. That’s what does it, the salt from the highway. Ofcourse, that’s pretty old fence, too.”
Holliger works for Rosemary Hartter, who was appointed cemeterysuperintendent when her dad died of cancer in 1963.
Minutes of the Olio Township Cemetery Board reveal that on May8, 1906, the board directed its secretary to secure bids forfencing, corner and gate posts, four drive gates and two walkgates. seven bids were received on May 25, 1906. the trusteesentered into a contract with Stewart Iron Work Co., Cincinnati,Ohio, for $2,400. the board members at the time were Jo Major, E.W.Dickinson and C.J. Gibson. the fence was examined and accepted ascompleted Nov. 28, 1906. the fence was installed by R. Pifer.
While the new fence won’t be nearly as ornate as the original,”I think it will blend in fine,” Holliger said. “To replicate thatfence, there was one place that would have made it but it was justastronomical. but I think it will look nice. Two of the originalgates are there from 1906. It has Stewart Iron Works on it.”
As sections of the fence were damaged by cars over the years,the cemetery crew would replace them with pieces stored fromreplacements in the 1970s, but there were no replacement sectionsleft.
Holliger said they have salvaged about 10 sections from the 700feet taken down that can be used in future replacements ifneeded.
“They aren’t in perfect condition by any means,” she said.
Hartter declined to reveal the cost of the replacementfence.
“Just put in there that with inflation it will cost much more,”she said.
Asked what keeps she and Hartter busy in the winter, Holligersaid, “book work, snow removal, It’s amazing the amount oftelephone calls, genealogy people that come in and have questions.So we try to be there for that. It’s precious property.”
