The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1896-07-25


Ans.-of course l won't. | know they We're
down-that's all | know.
Qucs.-Did the walls show any marks
where timbers We're used in tearing them
down? Ans.-I did not look for any marks.
Ques.-What is the present condition of
these walls? Ans.-I suppose they are about
the same as when Mr.. Everist saw them
Ques. Are they not good strong walls?
Ans.-No. 1 do not consider it a good wall
Ques.-The night before the walls fell down
was there not Il violent storm? Ans.-I could
not say. l was in bed asleep.
Ques. Did the grand jury make an inves-
tigation? Ans.-We were summoned before
them. | told them l could not put my finger
on Il man in the Ninth district whom sus-
pected.
Ques.-Did you come to EIkton the day Mr..
Eyerist said the School Board would meet2
Ans.-I did not: do not know whether any Of
my neighhOrs came or not. did not intend
to come. Never presented the matter of IL
new school house before the Board
Ques-Do you know that what Mr. White
did at that school house was authorized by
the Board or not: Ans. my own per-
sonal knowledge do not
George W. Clifford. of Zion. was sworn.
| was not aware that there were any bids
ont for the repair Of this school house. On
the day after the collapse OF the building,
went down TO Zion for my mail. | was told
there that the building had collapsed. That
N-,. hn nr.t ,,g+ h, 1,
pairs. While there Mr. Everist drove up to
Mr.. CamerOns store. and Mr. Cameron re-
lated to us that Mr. White had torn of the
roof and taken up the floor Of the school
house, and Mr.. Evcrist and | drove over.
We found that the school house had col
lalse4 Mr.. White was there lying on the
wood pile. with his dinner bucket beside him.
We inspected the building. Found both
gables out. the northeast corner and a part
of the end out. Floors out and some of the
foundation had partly sunk away. After i'll
spccting the building, there was n consulta-
tion held in regard to Il meeting of the School
Commissioners. There it was agreed | think,
that there could be Il meeting of the Board
on the Monday following. Mr. White had
promised the trustees Of the school that he
would nd them blanks that they might pc
titon the Board for Il new school house
After the meeting Of the School Com
missioners on the Saturday previous to the
Monday named the Board decided to send
tn" ease 10 the grand jury for investigation.
Tie grand jury and court recommended that
Il school he provided
Asked hy Mr.. Haines: Mr.. Clifford said
that he had no knowledge of whom the
School Board charged with tearing the build
ing down. They charged that it was done by
some malicious person.
Ques.-After the old school collapsed did
they so on with the school in another build
ing! Ans. The day after the collapse OF the
building Mr.. White in company with Mr.
Everist drove over to Zion to look after
building in which to have school. Examined
the building owned by DR.. Clifford. and it
seemed that we would have II school. but in a
short time the teacher was discharged. That
is my recollection of it. We had no school
until the winter term commenced That is
all / know of Mr.. Whites connection with
the matter.
By Mr.. Haines: Ques. 1t is stated in the
charge the trustees of the school are not
recognized as such and John R.white is now
running the school without trustees" Please
state all you know about this. Ans.-At the
time charges were preferred that was correct
but he (Whitc) has now succeeded in getting
trustees.
Mr.. Haines: Ques The charges also state
as follows: I'VE believe we voice the opinion
of large majority of the people. that the
said John Il. White is unfit for the position of
S yhool Commissioner Please state any,
thing you know il regard to that alega-
ton. Ans.-In our community l believe |
voice the sentiment OF the majority OF the
people in that statement.
School Examiner George Biddle was next
examined. May %, 1895, A. +. Mearns. Ross
Smith and j.. A. Fox We're appointed trustees
for one year. On June IS the board organ
lied The board never qualified.
Mr.. Haines: Ques.-Were not the gentle
men named by you acting as trustees and
re 'ognized as such by you. Ans. No. They
are required to qualify.
Mr.. Biddlc read eXtrac. of minutes of Aug.
"a. rs referring to the Grove school affair.
Also read extracts from June Is. 1895 min
utes Of meeting OF Board in which Mr. White
was ordered to have repairs made to school.
Mr. Biddle stated that prior to tearing down
Of house. no petition had been filed asking
for IL new house.
DR.. d. L. Clifford. of Zion, was sworn.
About the middle of August met Mr.. White
and Il young man going toward Grove school
house. They said they were visiting the
school to see what repairs were needed The
next day was going by and noticed large
hole torn in roof. SO two or three days after
ward 4Ir. White commenced work on it
tearing off the roof, sheathing and rafters.
The roof was pretty good. the walls of the
building We're in dilapidated condition.
The northeast corner had fallen out think
twice before Mr.. White commenced working.
| saw them working there some days. | saw
a team hauling. On Sunday. June IS, Mr.
George Hall and / drove over to see Mr..
Everist to ask him to come out and look at
the building. to see if he didn't really think it
an useless expenditure of money in the con-
dition the walls were in. He stated they had
asked Mr.. White to view the building and see
If it was worth repairing or if the people