St. Louis Globe-Democrat, 5-16-1909, has a lengthy article, reprinted below, of "Old Pickett Cemetery" also therein called the "Cemetery of the Holy Ghost," bounded by Arsenal and Wyoming streets, Louisiana and Compton avenues, now the site of Roosevelt High School. The article says the cemetery was named after Rev. Pickett. This was a mistaken reference to Rev. Picker, for whom St. Louis's various "Picker's" cemeteries were named. Still, there are many references to "Old Pickett Cemetery" in St. Louis newspapers as early as 1872. See also the narrative description of the "Holy Ghost Evangelical and Reformed Cemetery." The article:

"Condemned, the Cemetery of the Holy Ghost must go to make way for modern thoroughfares. Situated in the very heart of one of the city's most prosperous districts, this old graveyard is daily passed by careless pedestrians, noisy wagons and crowded street cars. Bounded by Arsenal and Wyoming streets, Louisiana and Compton avenues, it covers nineteen acres of ground--30,000 bodies are interred here. Strenuous has been its struggle for existence--but the municipal authorities say "No." Burials have been prohibited since 1903. The ground, belonging to the Church of the Holy Ghost, is held by a special charter from the city. No financial provision was made by the original founders for its continuous maintenance. The lot holders did not purchase the ground by deed, but simply bought a burial certificate for the nominal sum of $2.50. It has been supported by the generous contributions of the church members. Twice have they been involved in lawsuits, brought by the adjacent property owners.

Pioneer Germans.

Many pioneer German citizens, so-called "48ers," many associates of Carl Schurz, lie here. During the cholera epidemics of 1853 and 1865 as many as four and five were placed in one grave, with lime scattered over them--so great were the casualties. Rev. Dr. Pickett (the name by which the cemetery is more familiarly known), having buried a parishioner in the forenoon, succumbed to this horrible disease at 8 p.m. the same day, and is buried here with his successors, Doctors Kerr and Eberhardt.

This square of doomed earth offers a mute appeal to the casual passer-by. Dilapidated and weird, yet surrounded by strong, energetic, active life, it stands as a solemn warning to all. An ice plant to the west pounds day and night; while at the east a brewery's shrill whistles passes unheeded by ears long deafened to earthly sounds. Hartford, Juniata and Connecticut streets are to be cut through and the land laid off in lots. Notices have been given for the removal of bodies. This was in progress until April 1. For sanitary reasons no more removals will be allowed till October. Last month 200 bodies were exhumed. A charge of $4 for adults and $2 for children under 10 years of age is made by the sexton who performs this uncanny work. The state of the bodies depends upon the kind of soil, the condition of the body when interred, resulting from the disease and the medicines administered. People from all over the United States came to claim their dead.

Monuments, broken and defaced, lie scattered here and there; some have toppled into the holes left by the diggers; weeks and broken canes vie with each other in annihilating the grass and plants. One corner is virtually a "dump." A few robins and crows, taking advantage of the sheltering trees and fearing not the solitude, have nested here. Children, fearless and bold, disrespectfully scamper at will, hunting snakes, and actually play in groups within the emptied graves. In the very lowliest corner some thrifty Irish matron ties her goat to feast upon the few blades of grass that venture forth. Yawning graves surrounded by mounds of damp, yellow clay; pieces of black coffins, large and small; silver handles, scraps of crepe, broken glass, make it a place melancholy and grewsome [sic]. The heart aches to see such devastation and dreads to acknowledge that it is but a question of time when "dust to dust, ashes to ashes," and thus one is slowly influenced toward cremation.

The bodies that have no living claimant will not be neglected, but will be reinterred by the Church of the Holy Ghost in a place to be selected later. This church, the oldest German congregation in the city, will celebrate its seventy-fifty anniversary on May 2, 1909. Its present pastor, Rev. Dr. Ilgen,a most courtly and brilliant gentleman, is the proud possessor of the photographs of the honored Gov. Hadley, Theodore Roosevelt and the president, William H. Taft, bearing over their signatures hearty congratulations for the future of this dear old German church.