Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-05-21
Additional Particulars from the
Broken Dam-Visit of the
Legislative Committee
The Result.
Testimony Of Experts-Builders
Of the Dam Regarded as Re-
spOnslbIe for the Ter
ribIe Accident.
Threats of Lynching the Former
Secretary of the Contractors
Canine Sagaeity-Aid for
the Sufferers.

NEW YORK, May GA dis
patch from Northampton, Massa-
chusetts, of yesterday, says that when
! the legislative committee visited the res
ervuir, the breaking Of (which, Satur-
day, was attended with such terrible
consequences, everybody descended to the
gap, and a careful examination was
made OF the bottom, the walls, filling
and surroundings. The contractor (Bas-
sett) taking copy of the specifications
contained in the original contract under
which The dam had been built, called
the attention of the members to what he
termed evidence of their fulfillment and
consequent exoneration from blame of
himself and those who acted for him.
Colonel Wilson, of Boston, the engi-
neer who had constructed the Hartford
reservoir, twenty years ago, and who
had accompanied the committee as an
expert, remarked: "ThisN dam was not
built according To the specifications Of
that paper in your hand.n The colonel
then proceeded to point out that the spe-
cificatiOns had called for the building Of
a foundation wall at least three feet be-
low the bottom of the reservoir, whereas
it was built only upon that bottom, be-
tween which and the wall the water was
found TO pass easily, which caused a
leak, and eventually spread the latter
against the embAnkment protector. This
wall was forty feet narrower than the
contract specified ii should have been.
In short, said Colonel Wilson, the speci-
ficati0ns have been entirely disregarded,
and the accident was inevitable. The
only wonder is that it had not occurred
before. The terrible neglect and gross
ignorance displayed in the construction
oil this dam was criminal, and It's recent
evil consequences murder.
In talking Of the event later, Colonel
Wilson said he could not regard it as
an accident, because the dam could not
hold any body of water in, as the earth
at the bottom, under the wall, was slow
ly, but surely, washed away daily.
Joel Hayden said that such had ever
been his fathers (late gOvernOr's) cpin-
iOu, ard SO strangely fixed il this belief
had he been, that he issued standing
orders in the foundry to the hands to
leave the benches and building the mo-
ment they heard the word RESERVOIR"
shouted in the street, and take refuge on
high ground.
.. G. SpeIImau, overseer of the reser-
voir, and formerly secretary and treas
urer of the association by which the dam
was built. was protected in the house
Monday night and last night by large
number of special police and military.
Monday evening an Irishman, formerly
in the employ of Speliman, informed
him that Irishmen and Canadians had
determined to avenge the loss Of their
homes and families by lynching him
during the night, and he felt the need
for police and military. At the first
stroke of dawn villagers were at work
among the ruins, and as morning ad-
vanced parties Of men equipped as nav
vies continued to arrive from the sur
rounding townships, 80 that by seven
o'clock thousands were clearing and
carting off the debris all the way from
Northampton meadows to Williams
burg. Every eye sought somebody, and
twenty-One cOrpses were found. These
bodies were difficult to recognize because
decomposition had set in. They were
much disfigured by bruises, and totally
nude. At Leeds nothing was done ex-
cept looking for dead under the rubbish,
which experienced men say will not be
cleared away, even at the present expe-
ditious rate, in less than a week.
At Haydenville the day was begun in
a businees-like manner, Joel L. Hayden
employed bis hands, and all who were
able and willing to earn dollar in pick
ing up his patterns and brass ware, sew
eral thousand dollars worth of which
was stored in his Outhouses and barns
before noon. To get at these Mr.. Hayden
finds il necessary TO alter the course of
the stream. and his men are plOwing
a new channel for it, beginning at the
north side of the former site of the brass
foundry and running south through the
valley. An incident of extraordinary
canine affection has just come to light
in connection with the awful calamity:
Colonel Joel Hayden, one of the sons of
the late Lieutenant Governor Hayden,
has dog of the st. Bernard kind. He
has for long time been the village IA
vorite and pet of the sehOol-children.
Ira Bryant, father of Mrs. Colonel Hay
den, over sixty years Of age, was
great favorite with the dog. Bry-
ant was lost in the disaster
Sunday afternoon the dog started out,
and followed the searchers for bodies in
the meadow lands. He was seen at
Miller's fats paving in the sand, where
be was visited. 1t was found that he
had dug quite deep in the dirt, where
was discovered the lower perlions OF a
mans limbs. The next half hour re-
vealed the form of Bryant. Diligent
search had been made for these remains,
but it seemed hardly possible that any
human being could have found the em-
bedded corpse.
Williamburg and Skinnerville are
at stand, not a bit of
work, other than that necessary
In searching for the dead. being in
progress; and even some manufacturers,
TO whom majority of the people look
for incentive, shut themselves up in
their houses and fret. Skinner, It is
stated, has signified his intention not to
rebuild his factory, and Mr.. Spellman
said he would not re-erect his;
still all the leading men of Williamsburg
are not so craven as to yield TO this blow
without making an attempt at the re
of their once pretty and
town. They are ready tOshake
1ff the apathy of grief now paralyzing
hem, and to exert themselves manfully,
Il the legislature and the large cities will |
only aid them. Over ten thousand dol
ars have been already raised in this city
'or the relief of the sufferers by the Mas
,achusetts food.
CONTRIBUTIONS.