by Paul R. Spitzzeri
While it was not surprising that the Old Calvary Cemetery continued in the early 20th century to deteriorate through neglect, it was unfortunate that, while policies at the New Calvary expressed the vital spiritual nature of caring for the dead, the situation worsened as the years passed. A particularly notorious incident occurred on 15 January 1903 when, as reported by the Los Angeles Journal, a youth named Charles Cloud, taking a shortcut through the cemetery, “reported to the police . . . that he had discovered the skeleton of a woman lying under a clump of cypress trees near the north end of the old Catholic cemetery . . . Having found several locks of hair near the skeleton, he concluded it was the body of a woman.”
Dr. John H. Trout, the county coroner, his assistant, and the Rev. Clement Maloney [misidentified as “Malone” in press accounts] from St. Vibiana’s Cathedral investigated and noted that, at the iron vault ordered by the Pico brothers, Andrés and Pío, after the 1854 death of the latter’s wife, María Ignacia Alvarado, “one of the sections of it was broken open” and, while “the old coffin was still in the open section of the vault, almost intact,” with gold braiding and silver tassels on it, “the skeleton which was found was supposed to be that of the wife of the last Spanish Governor of California, Pio Pico.”
The account added that “the vault is near the Fo[r]ster vault,” which included the remains of Pico’s sister, Isidora, her husband, John Forster and their son Francisco, “and the finding of the hair and clothing was very near the latter place. Trout told the Journal “I don’t know their motives in the [removal of the remains from the] coffin. and as for leaving the skeleton in the bushes I can’t say, except that they were interrupted in their work and just hastily put it three.”
Father Maloney, who was responsible for the cemetery, stated that the desecration took place within the last few days after his last visit there and remarked,
The cemetery should be better taken care of, but as all the rich people who had friends and relatives buried there no longer take care of their dead, we must now do it as best we can. I have charge of the ground and look after it every now and then. Perhaps if all the bodies could be removed to our new cemetery, it would be better. Lots of them have been taken there.
In its coverage, the Los Angeles Express remarked that “vandals, prompted by avarice, malice or curiosity, desecrated the Pio Pico tomb . . . and tore from what was designed to be the last resting place the mortal remains of Donna Maria [sic]” and that initial investigation thought that what was first considered a murder or suicide was “but the evidence of vandalism.”
With respect to what was found, it was noted that Señora Pico’s remains were found some fifty feet from the tomb, “lying at full length,” and that “it is remarkably well preserved . . . the hands are encased in gloves and shoes and stocking still cover the feet and legs. A mass of dark hair covers the skull . . . A few feet from the entrance to the vault were portions of the coffin, with remnants of clothing and the box in which the coffin had rested.” It was added that “the zinc-lined box containing the body [was] drawn through the opening.”
The Express remarked that “it is possible robbery waste move which actuated the ghouls, as they may have expected to find valuable jewels in the coffin, but if such was the case they were mistaken as there are no evidences of anything having been removed from the skeleton.” Moreover, the article noted that “the skeleton was placed on a board and removed to the vacant Fo[r]ster vault which adjoins the Pico tomb, where it will remain until arrangements are completed for interment in the new Catholic cemetery on Boyle Heights [East Los Angeles].”
The paper went on to state that “several years ago the old cemetery was closed by the city and since that time there have been no interments there” and, while there were many reinterments at the new Calvary, “in many instances the relatives have refused to disturb the ashes of the dead.” There were also cases in which no one living had “any interest in the bodies buried there.” The piece concluded,
There have been many reports of desecration at the old cemetery since its abandonment and in many instances the tombs have been opened and the bodies exposed. It is believed that this latest outrage will arouse public sentiment for the better protection of the old burying ground.
While the Express offered the view that no valuables were on the remains, the Los Angeles Times remarked that, while no jewelry was located and “there are no marks on the remains . . . to indicate that rings or other jewelry were taken,” the paper observed that “if there was any on the body it was taken by the ghouls who ransacked the tomb.”
It was added that “in one of the other niches the body of Pio Pico [who died in September 1894] is supposed to lie, but there are no marks on either of the remaining two slabs. As for Doña Ignacia’s coffin, it was said to be “hermetically sealed” while “it is supposed, too, that the body was embalmed, further staying the ravages of time.” As a prior post here discussed, the remains of the Picos, instead of being taken to the new Calvary, were reinterred at the recently completed Walter P. Temple Memorial Mausoleum at El Campo Santo Cemetery at the Homestead, where they lie in a crypt next to Walter’s parents, Antonia Margarita Workman de Temple and her husband F.P.F. Temple.
The article commented that, despite some reinterments to the new Calvary, “thousands still remain in the old burying ground, which is in a dilapidated state. Tombstones are overturned and broken, vaults dismantled and gaping graves left uncovered by those who removed their occupants.”
In an editorial, in its edition of the 17th, titled “GRAVEYARD GHOULS,” the Times told its readers,
We are often reminded by unpleasant occurrences that Los Angeles, well known as the “City of the Angels,” contains many persons among its population who are angels of the fallen kind, if, indeed, they were ever angels at all.
Strangers at a distance happening to look over the Times of yesterday must have wondered what sort of community we have here.
It turned out that there was another incident at the Odd Fellows’ Cemetery “back of the High School,” this being adjacent to the City or Protestant burial ground where the Cortines performing and visual arts high school is now (the Odd Fellows moved their burial ground to southeast Boyle Heights, a short distance west of the new Calvary Cemetery) and that “treasure seekers were above to renew their excavations” at the burial place which “has for some time past been made a resort for the sacrilegious, profane and immoral of both sexes, who have not hesitated to desecrate the tombs.
In a remarkable passage taking place during the latest boom in greater Los Angeles and as rapid urbanization led reformers to seek to address all manner of societal ills, including alcohol and drugs, homelessness, prostitution, “white slavery,” juvenile delinquency and crime, the editorial concluded,
Even the most savage and depraved of uncivilized tribes have a respect for the remains of their forefathers. It is a disgrace to Los Angeles that these cities of the dead should be allowed to remain in such condition, as a prey to human buzzards. The city should beautify these two abandoned burying grounds, preserve the monuments, and appoint watchmen to guard them from depredation, or, if the city of Los Angeles is too poor to do this work, then we have no doubt that it would be possible to raise a sufficient amount for the purpose among the public-spirited and self-respecting members of the community. We may have to submit, for some time yet, to filthy streets and forests of unsightly [electricity and telephone] poles, but let us at least draw the line at neglect and desecration of the cemeteries.
This jeremiad, unsurprisingly, fell on deaf ears and another Old Calvary landmark soon fell “prey to human buzzards” as the Times of 10 June 1904 ran a lengthy feature with photographs under the heading of “GHOULS RUIN FINE CHAPEL.” The paper lamented that “a scandalous state of affairs exists at the old Calvary Cemetery . . . that is a shock to the sensibilities of all who see the city of the dead” and this constituted “the desecration of the graves of old-time residents of Los Angeles, and the mutilation of tombs that have become landmarks.”
The paper went on that “the climax has been reached in the defacement and defilement of the erstwhile beautiful Briswalter chapel,” which was completed in 1890 to follow the wishes in the will of Andre Briswalter, who died five years prior and left $25,000 for the purpose. Observing that “the condition of affairs there is a disgrace to the Roman Catholics of Los Angeles, and doubtless will soon be remedied,” the Times added that,
The very latest affront to this abode of the dead is the ripping up and carrying away of fine marble tiling in the chapel by vandals who have lost even the respect for death that is inherent in every human being.
The carved granite pile at the edge of the old Calvary Cemetery has evidently become the shelter and rendezvous of hobos and hoodlums.
During the prior several days, the stone flooring was ripped out and “there is not a whole window pane left,” while sashes as well as glazing was gone and “the cathedral lights that formerly illumined the altar have been made the special target of stones and missiles.” What most distressed the paper, as the Chapel was said to “more nearly suggest a garbage dump than a tomb,” was that,
Foul-minded persons have used the walls, which once were white, on which to scribble indecent doggerel; others have taken space to express their supreme disgust that such a condition of affairs can exist in a city possessing the refinement of Los Angeles; and even in the very recess which contains the tomb of the pioneer, there are scandalous writings, and filth unmentionable.
The room that in days gone by had been used for the sacristy [for preparation before masses] is today so dirty and vile that one dare not step within it, and before the altar lie the rags discarded by hobos and the old cans with which they have carried food into the place, and ghoul-like, have feasted among the dead.
Observing that “such a situation, right in the heart of the city, seems almost incredible,” the Times told readers that “grave robbers have been at work again within the past few days” as brick tombs were torn open “and the coffins rifled.” This involved the opening of caskets in tombs, while “there are cases where human bones are spread out in these dismal holes, so they are in plain view of any wanderer.” As one example, “the jaw bone of some early Angeleño lay on the ground in front of one of the opened tombs, in mute protest against the conditions which would allow such vandalism.”
On either side of the Briswalter Chapel, the account continued, “are the open, deserted tombs, which are now used as garbage dumps by the neighborhood” and this included “a pile of old tin cans and miscellaneous cleanings and scouring from the back yards of the neighboring cottages,” as houses were built adjacent to the graveyard in recent years, “that would delight the heart of the ‘Hermit of the Dumps.'”
Inquiring, “what is to become of this neglected home of the dead?” the Times recounted that the Briswalter Chapel was built by the benefactor’s executors, Henry Hammel and Andrew H. Denker, who were dead, and Isaias W. Hellman, who resided in San Francisco, while it expressed the view that “for some reason unknown the Griffith family has not felt called upon to keep the place in repair” so that “who is responsible for it is a question.”
What was not mentioned was the a Briswalter legatee, Christina Mesmer Griffith, was shot and badly injured by her husband, Griffith, not quite a year earlier, so her disfigurement and recovery and his conviction and imprisonment were, of course, to be taken into account. As to Hellman, representatives of the banker told the paper that “his connection with the estate long ago ceased, and that they know of no effort to be made to care for the neglected tomb,” while “members of the Mesmer family spoke of the need of attention for the chapel, but referred the enquirer elsewhere for definite information.”
The article observed that “perennially there comes up the story that in the old graves of the Calvary Cemetery rich jewels and sums of money have been buried.” Curiously, residents surrounding the burial ground offered “the suggestion that this was the work of medical students,” as if some Frankenstein-like experiments were being conducted, “but the fact that the bones are generally decomposed would make them of small value to such persons.”
The vanishing of statuary, carved work, marble coping and other materials led to the wondering of the uses for such items, “but they seem to have a peculiar fascination for the light-fingered wanderers in the old cemetery.” It was speculated that, “since the closing .. . to further interments,” there was the idea “among certain classes with lax ideas of moral ethics that the place is public property and that anything that can be picked up and carried away is the property of whoever wishes it.”
It was noted that,
Ordinarily it is the custom to have the Catholic cemetery land deeded to the bishop of the diocese [as was done at Calvary sixty years prior], in a manner similar to the holdings of church and school property. But for some reason this was done in the case of the Briswalter chapel, and when the church cared for the remainder of the grounds [though it still maintained ownership] it had no legal right to care for this tract.
It was concluded that “when questioned about the prospect of improvement being made in the Briswalter chapel by the Catholic Church,” the secretary of Bishop Thomas J. Conaty, who succeeded George T. Montgomery in 1903, told the Times that “the church has no title to the property and it is not inclined to look after the place so long as it is a private holding.”
As we’ll see, that was to change in a particularly interesting way and we’ll lay the foundation for that by noting that the Roman Catholic newspaper, The Tidings, of 9 September 1904, covered the groundbreaking of a new St. Peter’s Church on San Fernando Street “to serve for the Italians of the Plaza parish,” that community in the area long known as Sonoratown and mainly comprising Latinos growing significantly as part of the massive exodus of southern Italians to the United States in recent decades.
This is a good place to halt and we’ll return tomorrow with part three as we explore more of the history of the Old Calvary Cemetery in the early 20th century. Check back with us then!