Adams County, Illinois - Chapter 8, 1879

Chapter 8

Burning of the Court-House - County- Seat Election - The Kew Court- HousE - Proceedings of the Board of Supervisors in Pelation to the Building - Description of the Building as Completed - Occupancy.

On the 9tli day of January, A.D. 1875, the court-house was discovered to be on fire. Chief Engineer Ayers and the wliole force of the fire department were soon on hand, but failed to save the building. The books, records, etc., were removed to adjoining buildings for safety, and nothing was lost to the county excepting the building itself. The fire is supposed to have originated from a defective fiue, and the rapidity with which the devouring element accomplished its work was astounding. Some persons who were boarding with the sheriff in the rear of tiie court-house were escorted to a more secure and quiet pLace of residence at the police station. The jail itself escaped. The loss was thought to be some ^5,000 or $7,000.

As soon after the partial destruction of the old court-house by fire, as the board of supervisors could be ofiicially called together, they met to take into consideration the subject of providing a place for holding the courts of the county, and repairing the ofiices ot the circuit and county clerks. This meeting convened on the 18th day of January, 1875, the fire having occurred just nine days before. It was decided to at once repair the old offices in the partially demolished building, to be occupied by the sheriff, county and circuit clerks, until a new court-house and offices should be provided. Accordingly a committee consisting of Thos. Redmond, William Winkleman, L. G. Carr and Thomas Bailey, were appointed for that purpose. During the interim between the fire and the repairing of the old offices, the circuit clerk, George Brophy, and county clerk, Willis Ilaselwood, moved, and had their records and offices on Maine street, between Sixth and Seventh streets, in what was known as the Dill's block, and which before that had been occupied as the post-office. This building was so occupied for county purposes until the old offices were in a condition to receive them back to their old home, a period of about three weeks. The committee named above was at the same meeting of the board instructed to secure a suitable place for holding the courts of the county until a new county building should be erected. The committee conferred with several of the property owners in Quincy who had buildings to rent, and had offered them for such purposes, and at the meeting of the board wliich convened on the 16th of the following February, reported that as a matter of economy it would be clieaper for the county to repair and make a room in the old building than to rent elsewhere in the city, which was accordingly done. That part of first floor of the old building, as far back as the circuit and county clerks' offices, formerly occupied by the county judge and other officers, was converted into a court room, and here the several courts of the county held their sessions, greatly to the discomfort of judge, juries, witnesses and lawyers, particularly in the summer months, until the occupancy of the present commodious and elegant quarters, in the year 1877.

County Seat Election

This misfortune, or rather good fortune, gave a chance for reopening the old county seat question, and this time Coatsburg loomed up as a rival to the " Gem City." Still, in Quincy itself, there were disagreements concerning the proper place in the city for erecting the new building.

We notice in the Quincy Herald^ February 2d, 1875, a correspondence between Mr. Willis Haselwood, the county clerk, and Judge Joseph Sibley. The judge, in reply to interrogatories, states that he is decidedly in favor of Jefferson Square as the location of the new building.

The board of supervisors appointed a committee to confer with the Quincy board of education, for the purchase of Jefferson Square, and they held a meeting, February 15, 1875, and discussed various plans and proposals. It was resolved to accept $35,000 for the Jefferson Square property, which was carried by a vote of 4 to 3, in the Board. Along in the Fall, the excitement began to manifest itself, concerning a removal of the county seat to Coatsburg. A petition, according to law, was made and filed with the county clerk. He issued a notice of election, to be held on Tuesday, ISTovember 9th. At this election, the ballots were required to be prepared, "For removal" or "Against removal," The entire vote polled and amounted to 7,281, and the majority against removal was 4,172. Quincy gave 5,343 votes against removal and 4 votes in favor of removal. The town of Burton gave 116 votes on each side of the question. The vote of Honey Creek township, in which Coatsburg was located, furnished a supplement to the Quincy vote, in one way - they gave exactly four votes against removal, and Quincy had given only four votes in favor of removal. Previous to this election, there was a strong exhibition of feeling, and meetings were held at Quincy, where speeches were made by leading men of the city. Col. Wm. A. Richardson, Hon. O. H. Browning, Dr. Sturgiss, Dr. Bobbins and Judge Sibley all held the crowd in front of the court-house for hours, on the night preceding the election. Their arguments were strongly for Quincy and against Coatsburg. Mr. John Hendrickson w^as the only man that lifted his voice for Coatsburg, on this occasion, and honesty compels us to saj he was somewhat ill-treated. Meetings were also held througliout the different parts of the county, by the friends of Quincy, which were addressed by the gentlemen already named, prominent among whom, Hon J. W. Carter, the present member of the Legislature from Quincy, and ex-State Senator J. H. Richardson. The chief argument by the friends of Coatsbnrg, wJiich they used in a thorough canvass of the county, in favor of the removal, was the central location of that place, and probably the saving of expense in the building of the court-house, and the very large number of voters who had petitioned for the election. The contest, we believe, was conducted notably free from personal animosity of any sort, on tlie part of either side, and between the elements which were then antagonistic, the best of harmony and fellowship now exists.

Legislation

At the December term, 1868, the board appointed a committee to attend the Legislature and secure legislation that would enable the county to build a court-house and jail. The committee were Perry Alexander, Silas Bailey, A. W. Blakesly, Benjamin Berrian and James H. Hendrickson. In February, 1869, at a special term, a resolution was offered, approving the bill which had been passed by the Legislature, but the ayes and nays were called and resulted in five affirmative and seven negative votes.

At the May special meeting, 1875, a communication from the City Council was received, declaring that the City Council was ready to make a deed of Jeiferson Square to the county, in case an agreement was made by said committee, and the Board to build the court-house thereon.

Whereupon a resolution was read and ordered to be tiled, setting forth the fact that the court-house having been destroyed by fire, Jefferson Square was in their view the best place to locate the new building.

An offer was also made and recorded, from John Wheeler, to sell certain lands owned by him, on the corner of Spring and Fourth streets, in Quincy, for a court-house and jail. At this meeting, also, a petition was offered in favor of Jeffei son Square, but by a resolution, Washington Square was designated, by a vote of seventeen to thirteen, and a committee appointed by ballot to advertise for plans and specifications. They were, Thomas Bailey, B. F. Berrian, Maurice Kelly, Thomas Tripp and J. Parkhurst.

At the July meeting of the board, still further proceedings were held reo-ardino: the court-house. Hon. W. A. Richardson, being a member and taking rai active part, considerable dissension appeared in the Board, and the subject was postponed to the September nieeting, and from the records of that date we copy as follows:

E. H. Turner called up the resolution of July meeting, and moved to amend the same by striking out the preamble and the words " old site," and substituting therefor Jefterson Square, on the terms and conditions as proposed by the City Council of the City of Quincy.

This amendment having been adopted, the original resolution was, by the same vote, carried, locating the new court-house on Jefferson Square.

A further resolution was adopted, requesting the City Council of Quincy to make the deeds conveying Jeiferson Square and have them approved by the county attorney, and finally resolved that these deeds be deposited in the hands of a third party, and in the event of the removal of the county seat to Coatsburg or any other point outside of the city of Quincy, said deed shall be returned to the partj^ making the same.

In considering the plans for the building of the court-house, the committee of the whole reported in favor of the plan submitted by John S. McKean, as the first choice, and George Bunting's plan as second choice, and H. L. Gay's plan as third choice.

A resolution was also passed, referring the plan of J. S. McKean to the decision of Captain Eads, and also to President Linville, of Keystone Bridge Co., because of some doubt expressed in regard to the strength of the supports, etc., etc. The answer from Captain Eads sustained the plan of Mr. McKean, and the final resolution upon the location of the building and the order for purchase of the title from the city and school board, came up on the 16th of September, 1875.

Y. S. Penfield was the custodian of the papers, to be retained by him until November 20th, in case of a vote of the county to make Coatsburg the county seat.

When the vote cast at the election, held ISTovember 9th, 1875, on the question of removal of the county seat, was canvassed, it showed that three thousand one hundred and nine votes were given for removal, and seven thousand two hundred and eighty-three votes were cast against removal to Coatsburg;.

The deed to the north half of Jeiferson square was executed October 1st, 1875, by Robert S. Benneson, president of the board of education, and Albert Demaree, clerk, and received and entered of record on the county clerk's books at the December special meeting, 1875.

There was evidently a lack of unanimity in feeling concerning the location of the court-house yet, and a resolution was offered and supported by nine out of twenty-nine votes, to call an election on the Jefferson square proposition. This was at the special December meeting of the board, and upon a subsequent vote, at the same meeting, the votes were twenty-two to nine for Jefferson square, and the clerk was instructed to advertise for sealed proposals for building the court-house.

Then again came the question before the board upon the proj^riety of putting cells in the basement, for prisoners. This matter was referred to a committee.

On the meeting of the board December 9th, 1S75, a resolution passed by fifteen votes to fourteen, to abolish the dome provided for on the new court-house, and substitute towers, " if thought necessary to relieve the general appearance."

The committee appointed at your December meeting, 1875, to prepare detailed plan, specifications and description of the proposed new court-house, also to enquire into the practicability and probable cost of building a jail in the basement of said court-house, beg leave to report the following detailed plans, specifications and description of said proposed court-house and jail. Said'plans and specifications are herewith submitted as part of the report, as prepared by John S. McKean, architect. Your committee further report that in their opinion the building of said jail is practicable; that in their opinion the cost of said jail will be about $20,000, which will probably make the entire cost of court-house and jail $215,000 or $220,000. Your committee therefore recommend the bujldiug of said jail in the basement of said court-house. All of which is respectfully submitted. "

Pending the consideration of the above report, the board was notified of the death of "Wm. A. Richardson, a member of the board. Thus passed away from life, while following its humbler paths, one who had proved his manhood on the battle field, in the halls of Congress and the Senate of the United States.

At the February meeting, in 1876, a communication was received from the mayor of Quincy concerning the laying of the corner stone of the court-house, and suggesting the 4th of July, 1876, as an appropriate day for the ceremony; and it was at this meeting the bond and contract of John S. McKean, as architect and superintendent, was received. The bond was in the sum of ten thousand dollars, and was signed as securities by Edwin Cleveland, Herman Ilirsch, David G. Williams, Wm. M. Avise.

At the September meeting, 1876, General Singleton offered a resolution, which was adopted, authorizing the investigation of the manner of constructing the new court-house, and materials employed. This move was originated in the previous board, by Supervisor Parkhurst. Also, at the same time, and by the same person, an order was secured for the issuing of two hundred thousand dollars in bonds by the county, which was to be submitted to vote, at the general Fall election. The vote was taken, and the issue of eight per cent, bonds ordered, at a special November term, 1876. At this November term a memorial page was ruled in mourning, and set apart for John W. Yickers, who was a member of the board, and also democratic candidate for sheriff, who departed this life Oct. 26th, 1876.

At July meeting, 1877, on motion of Supervisor Bailey, it was ordered that $100,000 of court-house bonds be destroyed, that were printed but not issued, and that an equal amount of $1,000 bonds be issued, and made payable one-half in March, 1881, and one-half in March, 1882. At this session Messrs. Larkworthy and Burge tendered to the board the use of the court-house for their session, with the proviso, on part of the board, that this should not be construed as an acceptance of the building at their hands.

Oentlemen: - I regret that my health is such that I will not be able to meet with you during the present term, having been confined to my room nearly three weeks. * *

* * * YoY the last two years your duties have been very arduous and difficult. Within that period you have constructed a court-liouse and jail, which is one of the most substantial, beautiful and economically constructed buildings in the West, and at so small a cost, for that class of a building, that scarcely a tax-payer in the county is dissatisfied. So low have been the bids that it is believed that no contractor has made a fair profit, while some have lost money. *********

On the 12th of this month, the committee of the whole inspected the building, having received from the contractors a bill of $219,6M.15, with balance due of $69,975.40.

On the 13th, Supervisor Avise offered a resolution that the board now express full and entire satisfaction with the new court-house, and direct the building committee to accept it. This was declared the sense of the meeting.

At the September term we find that the building committee, consisting of George Bough man, Ira Tyler and Thomas Bailey were still engaged in making reports and recommendations concerning the new court-house.

May 8th, 1878, a resolution was adopted that the court-house should not be used for political meetings. July 10th, 1878, the committee reported the cost of the iron fence around the court-house at $6,450.00; the pavements inside the square, $1,227.03, and the sodding, $648.10. At this term a communication from the pastors of Quincy was received, alleging an unhealthy and unwholesome condition of the county jail. This matter for a time attracted considerable attention from the public, and was discoursed by the clergy and others through the press of Quincy, with a marked degree of warmth and interest, which directed tlie attention of the board of supervisors to the subject matter, and led to the appointment by them of a committee to fully investigate the matter, which the committee did, and reported that in their opinion there was no substantial reasons for the complaints, which opinion we believe has been confirmed by subsequent history of the building's sanitary advantages.

Coukt-House Building

The building is one hundred and five by one hundred and seventy feet; two stories and a basement. The basement is eleven feet high, and the west part of it is duly fitted up for the retention of those members of society who are found guilty of crimes. In this story is also the heating apparatus, consisting of two low-pressure steam boilers for heating the building and other purposes. In the center of each of the four fronts is a spacious double portico, the first story of which is supported by piers three feet six inches square, each alternate course of stone cross-pointed. The second story columns are twenty-two feet six inches high, in Corinthian style. These porticos are approached by easy flights of stairs of the full width of the portico. There are four entrances to the first story, each door being eight feet wide, and a hall ten feet wide running through from north to south and from east to west. Upon this floor, which has a sixteen-foot ceiling, is located tlie circuit clerk's ofiice, consisting of three rooms, one 27 by 46.6 feet, w^ith six large windows, one vault and work-room 15 feet by 30 with two double windows; also another vault 17.8 by 17.8, with four windows; this last named room or vault is detached in such a way that in case of fire only one corner would be exposed. The walls enclosing these rooms as well as all others on this floor are hollow, with a four-inch air space, all the windows being provided with double corrugated sliding shutters made to slide in the hollow space of wall. The county clerks' oflices are the same size as those described for the circuit clerk. The recorder has two rooms, one of which is a vault 17.8 square. Tlie county treasurer and collector have three rooms and a small vault; one, 27 by 28 feet; one, 17.6 by 27; one, 17.8 square, and the vault is 6.10 by 9.8. The sherifl''s room is 15.6 by 31, with a vault 9.8 by 14.8. The county surveyor's room is 15.6 by 31, with a vault 6.10 by 9.8. The county court-room is 38 feet by 47, with the proper appointments of a jury and judge's room. It is warmed and ventilated after the same manner as the circuit court-room.

From the hall a spacious stairway conducts to the dome, which is, in its entire height, 90 feet above the roof. The style of architecture adopted is an adaptation of the Corinthian order, or what may be termed the lien- naissance. The building is of brick faced with cut stone, has four towers at the extreme angles, and four small turrets or ventilating shafts.

The roof is slate, with a deck on top covered with tin ; the dome is covered with iron and plaster; the first storj of the dome is 33 feet in diameter, and the lantern at the shaft of the dome five feet six inches in diameter.

The halls and clerks' offices, also recorder's rooms, are floored with tile on brick arches. On the second story are the law courts. The circuit court room is 64 by 67 feet square, with 30 feet ceiling; the seats are arranged in circular form. There are two jury rooms 17.8 square, with all modern conveniences. Back of the judge's stand is a screen 12 feet high; in the center is a door leading to the judge's retiring room, ]5.6 by 15. ISTear the judge's retiring room is a witness room, so arranged that it may serve' for grand jury room with which it communicates. This room has four large windows on the south, five on the east and four on the north; the heating of the room is by means of hot air flues arranged on the mos* approved plan.

The first day of holding circuit court in the new building was October 22d, 1877. At that time Mr. Brophy was on hand with books and records in nis new office as clerk of the court. He says that he felt very uneasy for a while lest he should not be on time, but by perseverance he got himself into position in his office.

Mr. S. G. Earl was the first occupant of the treasurer's office, and hardly got it in running order before he turned it over to Mr. Anton Brinkert, his successor, on 2d December, 1877.

Mr. Haselwood, the county clerk, has no record of business done in the new building previous to I^ovember 10th, 1877, in his part of the county work.

The splendid structure that now contains the records, the laws and even the criminals of the county, is a worthy object of regard to every citizen of Adams county. Its proportions charm the eye, its solidity attracts the common mind, and its cost was such as to satisfy the most economical.

The children of those who built it and their descendants will pace its corridors or gambol in its porticos for another century and never blame the men who voted money for its erection. The city and the county may well feel proud of their temple of justice.