My Epigraphic Duty

Essex County isn’t doing a very good job of protecting Mills Reservation, a beautiful bit of woodland park with a trail design by the Olmsteds. Not only is it overrun by the dogs of scofflaw dog owners, but the cliffs and ravines are obviously the site of much nocturnal activity, if one is to judge by the beer cans and other material tokens of romantic conquest scattered around.

Saddest of all is this simple curved bench, covered in graffiti, its seat chipped and worn and the inscription on its back nearly gone. What I can still make out is this:

THIS PLACE HAS BEEN BUILT BY THE FR[I]ENDS OF CHARLES ALEXANDER —— TO COMMEMORATE THE GREAT T[A]L[EN]TS THE —– —NG AND THE GENER[O]U[S] SPIRIT [H]E BROUGHT [T]O A LIFE OF SERVICE A.D. —6

A quick google search hasn’t helped me figure out who this Charles Alexander N.N. was, but I’m sure somebody out there knows. My one guess: Charles Alexander Capron, who died in 1955, which would make the partially defaced date at the end read 1956.

In any event, maybe someday Essex County will clean and restore this simple resting spot.