TIME CAPSULE STILL LOST IN TIME

(CAMERON) Five Holes were drilled in mortar surrounding the 1891 Milam County Courthouse Cornerstone today, in hopes of getting a peak at what, if anything is inside. Project Architect Kim Williams said a Bore scope, used primarily in structural engineering, was used (pictured right), in an attempt to look inside the cornerstone. Glen Reed (pcitured right) of the Williams Company, said only masonry elements were visible. Williams said the next step will be to look at x-ray technology in search of the time capsule. He said typically, a copper box is placed in a void of the top of the cornerstone.

(Pictured left) Bo Owens, Project Coordinator for Baird Williams Construction Company in Temple, drilled 4 holes in mortar around the top of the cornerstone, and at the bottom. The bore capable of straight ahead and 90 degree views, was placed in each of the 5 holes, but only masonry elements were visible.

Williams said "not all cornerstones have a time capsule and there is usually a lot of folklore surrounding cornerstones. It would be a great thing for the dedication in July to pull the cornerstone, and put new contents back in".

The contents of the cornerstone were recorded in minutes of a meeting of the San Andres Lodge #170 on July 4, 1891. The Lodge minutes, as recorded in the book History of the Milam County Courthouse, reads as follows:

The most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Texas of and in ample form. The following appointments were made by the Grand Masters brothers j. C. Crunk, T. F. Hardy, and V. E. H. Reed to be respectfully bearers of the golden vessel containing coin silver, vessel containing oil, silver vessel containing wine. Ben D. Lee as Principal Architect.

The body was then called from labor in the lodge room and aloud in things of the Grand Marshal Br. J. B. Moon and set out in perfect order to perform the ceremony of laying the corner stone of Courthouse of Milam County Texas in pursuance to the invitations of the Commissioners Court of said County. The appropriate ceremonies were then proceeded with:

The following articles were deposited in the corner stone:

	By J. W. Hood: one $100 bill, Confederate currency, #43028, series 1, letter A; one Texas war warrant # 4070, aff. 88R to C. S. Freeman or bearers $10.00 for military service.
	By A. J. Stone: An envelope made by his wife, from wall paper during the late war. One $50.00 bill, Confederate Currency #49247, 1st series, letter A. A piece of poetry, subject 'A Confederate Bill'.
	By the Lodge: A copy of the proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Texas A F A M 1890. List of officers of San Andres Lodge #170 for the year 18901, list of visiting brethren on this occasion.

Miscellaneous:

	A list of the Cameron Silver Cornet Band, business card of Chicago Bridge and Iron Co.
	An envelope containing oration delivered on this event by Maj. W. W. Greer.
	A piece of paper upon which was written 'T. C. Stafford, Dist. Clerk, Milam County, Texas'.
	An apron cover. Photo of A. S. Ruby.

The Lodge returned to the place whence it came.

Lodge was then dismissed without ceremony in the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Texas.

No further business appearing this extrodinary communication of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Texas was closed in ample form.

Copies of The History of the Milam County Courthouse are available from the Milam County Museum in Cameron.


(Above) Glenn Reed of the Williams Company uses a bore scope in hopes of viewing cornerstone contents. (Below) Bo Owens of Baird Williams Construction Company bores holes in mortar surrounding the cornerstone.