Name/Title
Cast Iron Fountain | Hillside Cemetery, Eastport, MaineDescription
Cast iron basin of this fountain is in the collections of the Tides Institute & Museum of Art. Gift from the Eastport, Maine Port Authority. Diameter of cast iron fountain is approximately 80".
( ) From Eastport Sentinel, May 1, 1895, p.3,c.:: “It will be remembered that the contract with the Eastport Wa|er Co. includes furnishing water for a fountain to be placed in the cemetery, but up to this time nothing has been done towards the establishing of this new needful as well as ornamental acquisition. For some time past the number of persons who have become regular visitors to the cemetery for the purpose of replenishing or caring for the flowers or evergreens that are placed upon the graves of departed friends, has been rapidly increasing, and as they are largely ladies, to get the necessary water from the spring entails an amount of labor, rendering some more central supply a necessity, so that the fountain question has been receiving their attention; the outcome of which is that several ladies have taken the matter in hand, are now getting estimates of the probable cost of a fountain suitable for the purpose, and in a few days will call on our citizens for contributions. As soliciting subscriptions under any circumstances is anything but pleasant we hope that those who are called upon will respond liberally; we bespeak for the ladies the success the enterprise deserves.”
( ) From Eastport Sentinel, May 8, 1895, p.3,c.3: “The committee of ladies who have undertaken the collection of funds for establishing a fountain in the cemetery report their success as very gratifying, as almost without exception those called upon entered heartily into the project, and as the result, a goodly sum has been secured. As it is intended to place the order immediately, the committee request that those who have not as yet handed in the amounts subscribed will please do so at once.”
( ) From Eastport Sentinel, May 8, 1895, p.3,c.2: “At a meeting of the City Council held on Monday evening at the city rooms, the mayor and committee on cemeteries were empowered to confer with ladies in regard to the fountains to be erected there.”
( ) From Eastport Sentinel, May 15, 1895, p.3,c.2: “The fountain for the cemetery has been ordered by James C. Hinkley, and will probably be shipped on steamer Pentagoet May 18th. It is a very handsome Florentine design with Griffin base, bronze finish. The total height is 8 ft. 9 in., and the ground basin is 9 ft. 6 in. in diameter.”
( ) From Eastport Sentinel, May 29, 1895, p.3,c.2: “The fountain for the cemetery, which was purchased with the money collected for that purpose, arrived by Tuesday’s steamer and will be in place before Memorial Day. The thanks of the ladies having the matter in hand are due the International and Metropolitan S.S. Co.s for generously transporting the fountain from New York to Eastport free of charge, and to all those who so liberally contributed to the fund, thus rendering the undertaking so successful, and aiding in the establishment of a lasting monument of beauty and usefulness.”
( ) From Eastport Sentinel, June 5, 1895, p.3,c.2: “Now that the fountain has been placed in the cemetery and found to be all that was anticipated, the ladies submit the following statement: The price of the fountain was $250; amount collected $185; the dealer’s discount $46 which Mr. Hinkley secured on the purchase, was kindly donated by him, making the net cost $204, thus leaving a balance to be collected of $19.00, contributions to which amount will be cheerfully accepted from any who might be disposed to supplement their subscriptions; to Capt. Crosby, superintendent of the Water Co., under whose supervision the fountain was placed, acknowledgement is also due.”
( ) From Eastport Sentinel, November 6, 1895, p.3,c.1: “The fountain that was placed in the cemetery the past summer has ceased to flow for the season, the upper part having been taken down and stored for the wanter. It has proven a great convenience to the many who frequent the place for the purpose of caring for flowers etc., as it makes the procuring of water very much easier than formerly, when it was necessary to carry it to all parts of the yard from the spring. A suggestion has been made that another fountain be placed in the new portion of the cemetery, and one gentleman has signified his willingness to contribute liberally for that purpose.”
( ) From Eastport Sentinel, May 20, 1896, p.3,c.2: “The fountain has been replaced in the cemetery, and the grounds are being put in their usual good shape, the avenues and lots being cleared of dead leaves, and other refuse, and before Memorial Day the place will have taken on a neat and tidy appearance. The Superintendent says that the flower beds and mounds are in readiness to receive plants and seedlings and contributions of either house plants or outdoor grown seedlings will be appreciated and can be used to good advantage in the heretofore waste places within the grounds.”
( ) From Eastport Sentinel, November 4, 1896, p&3,c.2: “The fountain at the cemetery is to be taken down for the winter this week, the plants being already removed. The neat and tidy manner in which the walks and avenues of the cemetery have been kept, and the particular care that has been given to flowers and other decorations placed there, have been appreciated by the public generally. The most courteous attention has always been accorded to visitors having business at the yard, by the superintendent who has spared neither pains nor labor to have the hallowed place exempt from desecrations of all sorts at all times.”
( ) From Eastport Sentinel, June 2, 1897, p.5,c.3: “Superintendent Flagg of the cemetery has had the fountain placed in position, and the water turned on.”
