Rogersville Review
The courthouse burned at Sneedville, Saturday morning between the hours of one and two o'clock. It is said the fire started in the office of the County Court Clerk. The fire was first discovered by Mrs. Hugh Lambert who lives in the post office building opposite the court house. Mrs. Lambert sent word to the sheriff who rushed immediatly to the fire and gave the alarm for help. The fire was well started when sufficient help arrived to start fighting it, and all efforts to fight the flames with water and fire extinguishers were vain. The origin of the fire is unknown.
All the records in the county court clerks and circuit court clerks offices were destroyed, there being no vaults in either one of these offices to protect the records in case of fire. This is said to be of great loss to the county since the records filed away in these offices are frequently needed as reference. The records in the clerk and masters office and the register's were saved, these offices having been provided with vaults which were sufficient to withstand the heat.
This is the third court house to burn here in the memory of men still living. It is said by old inhabitants that the court house burned the first time in 1866 or 1867, the house was rebuilt using the old walls, and was destroyed the second time in 1885. The court house recently destroyed was built in 1888.
It is said a called session of the quarterly court will convene in the near future to discuss plans whereby a new building will be constructed.
Rogersville Review
3
Dec. 1885
Our little town had hardly recovered from the shock it felt when the sudden death of Col. Kyle was announced, before we were startled on hearing that Mr. A.P. Caldwell was suddenly called away. His death occurred Saturday night, Nov. 28, at about 9:30 o'clock, from rheumatism of the heart. About two hours before he died, he was seized with excruciating pains which were almost beyond endurance. After a while he became easy; his pulse, natural. Becomig sick at his stomach, he sought relief, but very soon threw back his head and by the time he was put into bed the spirit had departed. He knew when attacked, that he could not survive the pains, and so expressed himself to his family.
Mr. Caldwell has been for many years an honored citizen of Rogersville, moving here from Jefferson County. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, holding for years before his death the office of ruling elder. See the resolutions in another column. The respect of the community was shown by the very large congreation that assembled at the funeral services.
Mr. Caldwell leaves two sons and three daughters, all of whom reside in Rogersville. Several brothers of whom Rev. Geo. A. Caldwell, of Bristol, is one, and two sisters survive him.
Mr. Caldwell was seen on the streets but a few hours before he died. He will be missed in the family circle, in the church and in the community. In behalf of the community we extend heartfelt ssympathy to the children and relatives of our deceseased townsman and friend.
Rogersville Review
3 Dec 1885
David Groves,
a boiler maker at Knoxville met with a horrible death on the 24th. He was
working on the inside of a boiler when the engineer turned on the steam,
not knowing he was inside. He was so badly scalded that the skin and flesh
was dripping from his face. He died the next morning.
Rogersville Review
Miss Jennie McCorkle is teaching school at Galbraith's schoolhouse. She has a splendid school about 55 scholars.
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