Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1892-04-28

lie was devoted Christian and very
exemplary young man. His home was
on the Watauga River, about seven
miles above Elizabethton, where his
remains were taken early Saturday
morning by friends who came on the
midnight train Friday.
Ransom Esterlidge was 90 years of
age and unmarried. His home was at
Hyter's Gap, Washington County, Va.
He, too, was a Christian and good
boy. His remains were taken home
Saturday by Rev. I. G. Murray.
Frank May was about 90 years of age
and married, leaving a wife and two
children. He was kind and loving
husband and father, devoted son and
an upright man. He was buried near
Cherokee Sunday, his home being near
Jonesboro.
Eli Moore is 81, unmarried and lives
near Jonesboro. Heis hard working,
industrious young man. Kind friends
took him in charge and made him COM
Portable. He was taken to his home
the first of the week.
Jim Reed, young Washington
County boy, is getting along nicely,
and will be all right soon.
ELI MOORE INTERVIEWED.
A reporter called on Mr. Moore last
Sunday, whom he found bright young
man of % years, with a good open
countenance. He expressed himself as
grateful for his narrow escape from a
horrible death. He said it would be
, impossible to describe his feelings;
that he lived 10 years in the hour he was
under that awful load. He could hear
all that was going on outside, the work
ing of the men: the calling and the
shouting. Work was stopped few
minutes to throw hanging wall. He
then thought his time was come. As
the brick fell on top of the pile he could
feel the sand and mortar settle closer
around him. He heard the crowns of
the dying men. He heard them call
on God for mercy and say they were
dying. 1t was indeed a horrible ex-
perience. He is the least hurt of any
and will soon be we'll.
Mr.. Snodgrass was also called on,
but he was in too bad condition to
talk. The physicians think he will re-
cover, however. He is resting easier
at this writing.
THE CAUSE OF THE WRECK.
Many theories are advanced to ac-
count for the disaster. But the one
most generally accepted is that the
walls were not thick enough to bear
the immense weight put on them, be-
ing only 12 inches thick. The arches,
with one end against the court house,
which of course was dead and would
not give with the settling of the build
ing, had only inches to rest against
at the other end. 1t was altogether in
adequate to sustain the tons of weight
above it. The building in settling put
great strain on the arches, of course
the court house wall could not give
and the whole strain was put on the
outer wall, which was unable to bear
it. The lower arch then bulged out at
the bottom and the whole thing fell
in. This is proved by the position
Frank May was found in.
No blame can be attached to the con-
tractor, Mr.. Adams, who followed his
plans and specifications to the letter.
The plans were undoubtedly faulty.
Itwas most ridiculous idea to build
vaults of that kind and character in
the first place. They were intended
only to holdthe record of the county,
and could have been put inside
at much less cost. Iron vaults could
have been made and bricked in in the
lower portion of the building, with a
stairway leading to them from the
court room.
The people should protest against any
attempt to continue the work on the
old plans and the putting of them on
the ends Of the court house.