The subject of cremation was first agitated at Baltimore, Md., in the winter of 1884, by Dr. G. W. Lehmann and Mr. J. R. Rennous, who were also the originators of the cremation company in that city. In 1884, two public meetings were held; but they were poorly attended, and the prospects gloomy in the extreme. But the two advocates of incineration worked steadily on until their efforts were crowned with success. The Cremation Cemetery Company of Baltimore City was incorporated on the 30th of March, 1885, with a capital stock of $15,000, divided into 600 shares of the par value of $25 per share. At a meeting of the stockholders the following officers were elected: B. F. Horwitz, president; J. R. Rennous, secretary; J. W. Middendorf, treasurer. The founders of the organization were obliged to call it “Cremation Cemetery Co.,” to comply with the general laws of Maryland in obtaining the charter. $9000 worth of stock has already been taken up, and the company expects to make such headway that it will be able to build soon. When the La Crosse (Wisconsin) Cremation Society was founded in the middle of October, 1885, with Mr. John Pamperin as president, it resolved upon a full investigation of the subject of incineration and appointed a committee to get reports from other societies. This committee having performed its work, a meeting of the committee was held at the residence of Mr. Gustav Carl, and these reports read, arranged, and discussed. The report from Detroit was particularly exhaustive. Davenport also furnished a report. The cremation society there had sent a representative to Lancaster, Pa., who had examined the cremation furnace there and had prepared a report, of which La Crosse was given the benefit. The result of the conference was that a resolution was adopted calling for a meeting of stockholders at an early date for permanent organization. The La Crosse Cremation Association filed articles of incorporation with the secretary of state on the 26th of November, 1885. The purpose of the association is to dispose of human bodies after death, by cremation, and it shall continue its business for 20 years, unless the holders of two-thirds of the stock consent to the dissolution of the association. Mr. J. Pamperin is the president, Mr. G. Carl, secretary, and Mr. J. Ulrich the treasurer of the association. A person wishing to become a member of this association may subscribe for one or more shares of $25 each (not exceeding 50 shares) of the capital stock of the association, which is limited to $8000. The shares so subscribed shall be paid in instalments. The first instalment must be paid at the time of subscription, and the balance in instalments, as called for by the directors, within one year thereafter; but none shall be called for until three months after the other. If any of the subscribers should die before the projected crematorium has been erected, and the deceased should have expressed a wish to have his body