AN INTERESTING RELIC FOUND - Which Prove a Sad Reminder of Life's Brevity

While digging Monday in the ruins of the Huntsville Female College, Huntsville, Ala, which was burned January 8, 1895, the corner stone was found and when unsealed contained a copper plate with the following inscription:

"Population of the town, 3,000

Engraved by DAVID F. KNOX
Bascome Female Institute
In honor of the late Bishop Bascom
Chartered January 27, 1852
Cornerstone laid with Masonic Ceremonies June 23, 1853
Huntsville, Madison County, State of Alabama
Building erected by
D. B. TURNER, WILLIAM H. MOORE, T. S. MCCALLY, WILLIAM J. MCCALLY,
George Steele, Architect
Hugh N. Moore, Master of Workman
Oration by A. E. Mills, Esq.
Samuel Peete, Mayor, D. Farris, W. B. Figures, A. J. Johnson, J. W. Jones, J. Patton, O. D. Sledge, T. W. White and Windman. Aldermen"
Although the dedication services above referred to occurred only forty-two years ago, not one of the gentlemen connected with the work is now living.
One incident in connection with the cornerstone is worthy of note. A few hours after finding the copper plate the death of Mrs. Mary Knox Patterson, the only surviving daughter of David F. Know, who engraved the copper plate, was reported.
[Source: Hamilton News Press - Marion County, AL - March 28, 1895 - Transcribed and submitted by Veneta McKinney]

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