Knox County, Illinois - The whole text, 1912 (part 4 of 56)

The lowest bid is that of Samuel I. Pope & Co., of Chicago, who propose to furnish the entire heating and ventilating apparatus as specified for the sum of $8,911.27, with privilege to the county to make any additions or deductions at the rates named in the schedule accompanying the bid. The committee recommend the acceptance of this bid, and that the committee be authorized to contract with them on the terms of the bid, deducting from the amount above named one gas engine, $1,400, two fans with belting, $657.56, as per schedule, leaving cost $6,853.71. The omitted items are designed simply for ventilation. We are advised that by a very simple and cheap expedient all that is surrendered can be secured without that expense. Considering the fact that the building is both by its location and mode of construction easily ventilated and a cool building in summer, we do not advise an outlay so great when so little necessity

The building committee desire to report that they have, as directed by the board, entered into a contract with Samuel I. Pope & Co., of Chicago, to put in the apparatus for heating the court house, which contract they herewith submit as follows: - ;:' - ''.,'-.

Articles of agreement made and concluded at the city of Galesburg, in the county of Knox, in the state of Illinois, this, the eighteenth day of August, A. D., 1885, by and between W. Selden Gale, Wm. H. Robson, John Sloan, Rufus W. Miles, Wm. H. Leighton and M. Harden, constituting the court house building committee, appointed by the supervisors of Knox county, Illinois, said com- .. . . mittee being hereinafter known as the party of the first part, and Samuel I. Pope & Co., of Chicago, Cook county, Illinois, second part as follows, to-wit:

The said party of the second part do hereby agree to, and with the said party of the first part, or their successors in office; that they, the said party of the second part shall, and will execute all the work and furnish all the materials of every character required by the plans and specifications, to heat and ventilate the Knox county court house, said building situated in the city of Galesburg, within the county and state as first above written. Said plans and specifications are hereby constituted as a part and parcel of this contract as much so as if each ,^ , and every part thereof was at length herein set forth and fully described. ; '- ;

The said party of the first part does hereby agree to, and will, in behalf of ;-, "' the board of supervisors of said county, pay or cause to be paid unto the parties v; -> of the second part, the sum of six thousand, eight hundred and forty-three, sev- '., - enty-seven one-hundreths dollars for all of said work and material. Payments;/ ., on said work shall be made on the several parts of the work and material in ac- < - .-' cordance with the prices stated in the schedule hereto connected; said schedule ' ' ., - being only for the purpose of setting forth the payments to be made to the con- ; :; I tractor, and for no other consideration ; on each and every payment on work V.\;. and material that twenty-five per cent, of the amount for all cost of work, labor;'' .:..- and material, shall be retained until the final acceptance of the contract, subject -' to the conditions stated in the general instructions to bidders. Being understood ,; that payments on all work and material shall be made once each month. Upon - ' such payments being made unto the party of the second part for any work or '. . ^ material, then such material and work shall be deemed in the possession of the , ;.; party of the first part, and shall be by them in their possession as part security j ;-/ for moneys advanced, and in guarantee in addition to that required by bond. ..";.:

The said party of the second part does hereby agree to commence said work ;;' .."' ' in said building as soon as the condition of the building permit of, and not later ; - '--" than when the roof is completed on said building, and to finish the same as soon . - thereafter as possible within the limited time named in the specifications and - -; \ general instructions. The eliminations marked in the specifications of the omissions of the gas engines and fans was made at schedule prices, before execution of this contract. 'v V. - : '--j? -.:;'" v

In witness whereof, the parties hereinbefore named, in behalf of the board of supervisors of said county, and the party of the second part, each have hereto set their hands and seals the day and year first above written ; this contract only

Mr. Anderson, of Dawson & Anderson, contractors of new court house, appeared and by permission addressed the board, asking assistance in procuring water. On motion of Mr. Latimer, the matter was referred to the building committee with power to act.

September Meeting, 1885. - Mr. Gale from the committee on building, stated that no arrangement had yet been made for the construction of a cistern at the court house. He read the proposition of A. P. Anderson to construct a cistern 13 feet 6 inches in diameter in the clear, 9 feet deep in the clear between inlet and overflow pipes, walls and arch 8 inches thick, bottom 3 bricks thick laid flatwise, all of hard burned brick, thoroughly cemented inside and out, with 8 inch overflow pipe connected with present sewer, stone and iron top at grade line, for $285, to be constructed under the supervision of the superintendent at the court house. , "v' . .

January Meeting, 1886. - The following report of the building committee was read and referred to the committee on revenue: To the Honorable Board of Supervisors: .

Gentlemen : - The committee on building court house beg leave to report that the cistern authorized by the board at its last meeting has been completed and order issued by the clerk, by instructions of the committee, to A. P. Anderson, contractor, for the sum of $301,50. Until within the last ninety days, the progress has been satisfactory, but since that time much less has been done than the committee had reason to expect would have been done sixty days ago. The delay seems to have been caused by failure of the sub-contractors, who were to put on the framework of the roof to use due diligence. There now seems no prospect of doing more than to complete the framework of the roof before the coming of warm weather. The committee have used all the means in their power to hasten the operations of the iron contractors, and regret that their efforts have not been more successful. The committee have authorized the clerk to draw orders in favor of Dawson & Anderson to apply on contract, amount aggregating $46,610.54. . .. '- ? j.. >-; v.;-

Mr. Gale called up the report of the building committee, and read that portion of said report pertaining to the laying off and grading of the court house grounds. On motion the recommendation in relation thereto was concurred in.

Mr. Gale then read that portion of said report pertaining to the assignment of rooms. On motion the recommendations of the committee were concurred in.

That the committee be directed to advertise at once for bids for furniture, the bidders to furnish the designs. That the bids be required to be made subject to the examination of the committee and the acceptance by the board. That the committee be directed to examine and carefully compare the bids, and when any shall be received, which the committee shall deem worthy of attention, they shall notify the chairman of the board, who shall call the board together. That when this board adjourn it shall adjourn subject to the call of the chairman. . On motion of Mr. Rebstock, the foregoing resolution amendatory of said report, was adopted. -

Moved by Mr. Sisson that said report as amended be adopted, and its recommendations concurred in, and that it be spread upon the records of the bo^rd.

The condition and progress of the building will be best understood by mem- . bers of the board by actual inspection. While the progress made has been less than was hoped for, they think the construction so far is fairly satisfactory, and they are still of opinion that whether there be considered its substantial character, its convenience, its beauty or its cost, the "building will prove satisfactory to those specially concerned in its erection, and to the citizens of the county.

Messrs. Dawson & Anderson sublet the contract for the iron construction to other parties, who in turn sublet the construction of the frame work of the roof. This work should have been completed early in November, which would have enabled the work to go on all winter, and made the completion of the building within the contract time, the ist of September, entirely within the power of the contractor. The neglect to complete this work in time, has so far delayed the entire work as to make its completion within that time no longer a possibility.

An effort should be made to secure the completion of the offices so as to permit the clerks to remove before the pressure of fall work on their offices, and to secure one court room for the October term. But we believe it better to suffer some inconvenience from delay rather than hasten the completion at the risk of getting anything but permanent work.

The time within which it may be expected to complete the building may be estimated, by calculating the time necessary for the work of plastering, now just beginning.

It is perhaps hardly worth while to refer to various reports which have obtained some currency, of danger to the county from failure on the part of the contractors.

We have only to say that we have no reason to question the perfect good faith of the contractors, or their ability to complete their undertaking. And that advanced as the work now is, it is not possible the county can suffer any disasterous loss in any contingency.

The committee had hoped to find the plans so complete that no changes whatever could be called for. But they cannot conceive it profitable to perpetuate an error, and there is no time when a mistake or oversight can be so easily corrected as in time of construction. When they consider the magnitude of the work, the unusual and complicated plan and character of the building, the various uses to which it is to be put, the difficulty, owing to distance, or consultation with the architect, the fact that the plans were required to be made in a limited time and in two different modes of construction, the committee thought they were hardly warranted in expecting a realization of such hopes. They have thought necessary, in process of construction, to require changes as follows: On the ist floor a door To be made in the tower room, connecting it and permitting it to be used in connection with the room next south of it. A double glass door in place of the single one connecting the two rooms of the county clerk for the better lighting of the inner room.

The filling up of space in the basement under the vault for greater security. In the second story a change in the partition between the judge's room and the library, and dispensing with the water closet, and substituting a wash bowl and urinal in the judge's room.

In the third story another door connecting two jury rooms in south wing, to be opened when necessary to secure better accommodations for a jury detained all night, and providing one of the rooms with a wash bowl and urinal. A change in partition at north end of corridor so as to shut off the stairway leading to the attic.

The committee also accepted the offer made by the contractor, believing it to be advantageous to the county, to substitute red oak for -yellow pine, where yellow pine is specified, in all doors above the basement, and all wood work in second story corridor and smaller court room for $300.

In the exterior of the building, the contractor claimed the minarets and upper cornice of the tower were to be of iron. The architect said they were to be of stone. The committee thought to finish the most conspicuous part of the building with an inferior material would detract too much from the appearance, and directed the contractor to use stone.

struction, iron was called for ; that in changing to a stone construction the same specifications were used, substituting other language when necessary, that the section affecting this work seemed to be overlooked in making the changes.

The contractor evidently made the estimates on which his bid was founded, for iron work, the language misled him, if it did not justify him, and it does not seem unreasonable for him to claim compensation for the difference.

The committee required the diamond shaped stones in the gable to be rubbed stone ; the contractor claimed they were to be rockfaced. The committee thought it would be as required, leaving the contractor to make his claim if the terms of the specifications were not clearly in our favor.

Besides these changes ordered, the committee were called upon to settle the terms of the contract as to the ceilings. In the original specifications the cealings in the basement were to be brick arches ; in the first, second and third stories to be hollow tile, plastered. :-. . ^-v-

The bid accepted, made by Dawson & Anderson, substituted iron arches for all brick and hollow tile, except in the court room ; provided brick or hollow tile might be substituted for the iron ones at the difference in price named in the schedule. The committee determined to substitute brick arches, plastered, for the iron mentioned in the bid and the hollow tile required in the original specifications, in the corridors in the first and second stories, at the additional expense of $2.50 per square over the cost of iron.

The cost of all changes and additions made and proposed is small, and made at the time the building is in progress, will add no more to the cost than if contained'in the original specifications. The difference in cost would have probably appeared in the estimates of contractors on which the bids were founded.

It will be necessary to provide for laying off and grading the court house grounds and paving the necessary walks. The committee have availed themselves of an opportunity to purchase a small amount of earth, delivered on the grounds, and other opportunities to purchase on favorable terms may appear. They recommend that the committee be authorized to prepare or procure plans for laying off the grounds, to be reported to the board for consideration, and in the meantime they be authorized to purchase earth when they can do so to manifest advantage.

The committee have not heretofore called the attention of the board to the subject of furniture for the court house for the reason that the delay in the completion of the building justified a postponement of preparation for furnishing. It is, however, desirable that the county should not be delayed in the occupancy of the building when completed for want of furniture.

It is also desirable that time enough should be taken to settle carefully on plans, to secure competition, and to give ample time to the contractor to furnish perfect work.

We recommend that the committee be directed to advertise at once for bids for furniture, the bidders to furnish the designs. That the bids be required to be made subject to the examination of the committee and the acceptance by the board. That the committee be directed to examine and carefully compare the bids, and when any shall be received which the committee shall deem worthy of attention, they shall notify the chairman of the board who shall call the board together. That when this board adjourn it shall adjourn subject to the call of thechairman. . - .

struction, iron was called for ; that in changing to a stone construction the same specifications were used, substituting other language when necessary, that the section affecting this work seemed to be overlooked in making the changes.

The contractor evidently made the estimates on which his bid was founded, for iron work, the language misled him, if it did not justify him, and it does not seem unreasonable for him to claim compensation for the difference.

The committee required the diamond shaped stones in the gable to be rubbed stone ; the contractor claimed they were to be rockfaced. The committee thought it would be as required, leaving the contractor to make his claim if the terms of the specifications were not clearly in our favor. .. ; ; |

Besides these changes ordered, the committee were called upon to settle the terms of the contract as to the ceilings. In the original specifications the cealings in the basement were to be brick arches ; in the first, second and third stories to be hollow tile, plastered. .: ^^ v^. .- ^;^' .^ ; -'! " I r '. - :

The bid accepted, made by Dawson & Anderson, substituted iron arches for all brick and hollow tile, except in the court room ; provided brick or hollow tile might be substituted for the iron ones at the difference in price named in the schedule. The committee determined to substitute brick arches, plastered, for the iron mentioned in the bid and the hollow tile required in the original specifications, in the corridors in the first and second stories, at the additional expense of $2.50 per square over the cost of iron.

The cost of all changes and additions made and proposed is small, and made at the time the building is in progress, will add no more to the cost than if con- . tained in the original specifications. The difference in cost would have probably appeared in the estimates of contractors on which the bids were founded.

It will be necessary to provide for laying off and grading the court house grounds and paving the necessary walks. The committee have availed themselves of an opportunity to purchase a small amount of earth, delivered on the grounds, and other opportunities to purchase on favorable terms may appear. They recommend that the committee be authorized to prepare or procure plans for laying off the grounds, to be reported to the board for consideration, and in the meantime they be authorized to purchase earth when they can do so to manifest advantage.

The committee have not heretofore called the attention of the board to the subject of furniture for the court house for the reason that the delay in the completion of the building justified a postponement of preparation for furnishing. It is. however, desirable that the county should not be delayed in the occupancy of the building when completed for want of furniture.

It is also desirable that time enough should be taken to settle carefully on plans, to secure competition, and to give ample time to the contractor to furnish perfect work.

We recommend that the committee be directed to advertise at once for bids for furniture, the bidders to furnish the designs. That the bids be required to be made subject to the examination of the committee and the acceptance by the board. That the committee be directed to examine and carefully compare the bids, and when any shall be received which the committee shall deem worthy of attention, they shall notify the chairman of the board who shall call the board together. That when this board adjourn it shall adjourn subject to the call of thechairman. . . ; - ^ ...-;; ..

That the three court rooms be arranged and furnished so that they may each of them serve for either of the courts, for the meetings of the board of supervisors and for such other assemblies of officers and citizens on county business, as should be provided for.

That there be assigned to the sheriff either the room to the left of the east entrance, or the adjoining room in the south wing, the other to remain for the present unassigned.

The room in the tower, to the treasurer and school superintendent, the treasurer to have prior right of occupancy when necessary to his business.

W. Selden Gale, R. W. Miles M. B. Harden, Wm. H. Leighton

The building committee beg leave to report, that in reply to the resolution of the board calling for information as to cost of changes in the building, ordered by the committee, they have procured from the contractor the following estimates :

Special May Meeting, 1886. - The chairman stated that the meeting was called at the request of the building committee for the purpose of examining proposals and designs for furniture for the new court house, and considering the report of the building committee thereon.

Each of said proposals were accompanied with schedules of furniture and prices referring to the designs submitted, all of which were laid before the board.

Your committee in compliance with the resolution of the board, advertised for proposals for furniture, to be opened by the committee on the 4th inst. They felt justified in fixing an early time from the fact that several of the best houses in the country had visited the building in anticipation of such a call, and were known to have prepared plans ; and it was thought no further delay need be made to secure fair competition. Special notices were sent to all who had by personal application or correspondence indicated an intention of giving attention to the job.

The committee received a communication from the Mitchell Furniture Co., of Cincinnati, asking a postponement of the letting, on account of the labor troubles and the consequent temporary closing of their works. Proposals were received from Thos. Kane & Co., of Chicago ; the Phoenix Furniture Co., of Grand Rapids, Mich. ; A. H. Andrews & Co., of Chicago, and Conant Bros., of Toledo, Ohio, all of which proposals, with the accompanying samples and exhibits are submitted to the board.

It was agreed that the bids should not be disclosed until presented to the board, but that each party should have the fullest opportunity to explain his proposal to the committee, sitting with closed doors. There were present with the committee, for advice and assistance, the architect of the building, the county clerk and the circuit clerk.

The bid of Thomas Kane & Co. was accompanied by very few designs and no samples. No gross amount is mentioned, but items are given and prices attached with reference to the designs furnished and printed catalogue of goods and prices published by the firm. The other bids are accompanied by schedules, substantially alike in items, admitting of ready comparison.

The bid of Conant Bros, gives no gross amount, but affixes to each item in the schedule from two to eight prices, according to design, workmanship and material. Reviewing these schedules for comparison, and taking the items recommended by the committee, as herinafter stated, we find them, as nearly as we have been able to calculate, to compare as follows:

It is at once evident that, taking medium prices in the bids of Andrews & Co. and of Conant Bros, there is but very little- difference in the bids of the three houses. The bids of Conant Bros, are both the highest and the lowest.

The bid of the Phoenix Co. is higher than one bid of Andrews & Co. and lower than the other, and it is only by careful examination of the descriptions and designs that it can be determined from which the most satisfactory selection can be made, and it is perhaps proper here to say that it has been generally remarked by persons examining the building, with reference to bidding on the furniture, that the building being architecturally different from all other court houses (the Cincinnati court house is said to be of similar style), it could only be well and tastefully furnished from designs specially prepared to conform to its peculiar style.

The committee think Conant Bros, have had a better appreciation of the building or have been willing to take more pains than others. They believe the board will find their designs finer and more in keeping with the building than any others presented, and the committee believe that at same cost the best selection may be made from their bid.

The committee recommend that the board authorize the committee to contract with Conant Bros, for the articles of furniture in the list herewith presented, to be selected by the committee in walnut, cherry and oak, in such proportions as they may think best at a cost not exceeding $7,250.

In the matter of chairs, the committee are not satisfied that the best or most economical selection can be made from these proposals. That unlike the other furniture they will not be made expressly for the building, but that they can at any time be bought in the market, and that plenty of time may safely be taken to make selection and purchase.

The committee have received bids for file cases from Schlect & Field and from Conant Bros. These are to contain the papers put into each pigeon hole. Both their patterns are decided improvements on those in common use obtained from stationers. But in judgment of the committee, the advantage to this county from their use are by no means commensurate with the increased expense.

John Sloan, Rufus W. Miles

The foregoing report was placed before the board to be considered and examined in connection with the proposals and designs above submitted.

The board having examined and considered the several proposals and designs for furniture submitted and the report of the building committee, it was moved by Mr. Paden that the board accept said report and concur in its recommendations, and that said committee be authorized to purchase such chairs and seats as may be needed in the new court house at a cost not to exceed $2,500, which motion was adopted.

GENTLEMEN : - The building committee beg leave to call the attention of the board to the necessity of providing mantels and grates for the building; nineteen are required. The committee have had proposals sent them from several parties. They are of opinion that slate mantels may be obtained with grates, and all complete and in place suitable for the situation, for from $700 to $800. The committee wish to be advised if any action in the case on their part is desired.

January Meeting, 1887. - Mr. Gale made a verbal report in behalf of the building committee stating that it had been hoped that all contracts for matters connected with the building could be closed up at the present meeting. This cannot be done and the committee would recommend that when the board adjourns, it adjourn for about two. weeks. It is desirable that Mr. Myers be present, and he has informed the committee that he can be here at about that time. The committee were requested at the last meeting of the board to prepare a detailed statement of orders drawn for all work connected with the court house. In consequence of the unfinished condition of the work the committee are unable to comply, but a verbal statement may be made which will give the board the information necessary to enable the members to act understandingly upon any question which may arise until such time as a full written statement can be made.

Mr. Gale then stated, to the board, the condition of the various contracts and the amounts paid upon each, respectively, which he requested the supervisors to take down each for himself.

of supervisors, on the 26th inst., from lo o'clock A. M. until ten o'clock P. M., and that citizens of the county and their friends be respectfully invited to attend.

During recess, dedicatory exercises were held in the circuit court room, which were attended by a large concourse of people. Brief addresses were made by the architect. Col. E. E. Myers, the contractor; John Anderson; Hon. R. G. Mathews, chairman of the board; Hon. Clark E. Carr; Judge J. J. Glenn; Judge Sanford, and Messrs. E. P. Williams, W. Selden Gale, and R. W. Miles.

Resolved, That we, the people of Knox county, in mass meeting assembled, do offer our thanks to the board of supervisors of the county of Knox for their successful efforts in the erection of this court house, and for their thorough honesty and integrity in the building of the same, and we ask that these resolutions be spread upon the records of said board.

Mr. Gale stated that the building committee were ready to report on a portion of the matters before them if the board desired. On motion of Mr. May the building committee were requested to report.

Mr. Gale then reported a bill in favor of Col. E. E. Myers, of $i,ooo, balance of architect's fees, and asked that it be referred with other matters pending.

on examination of the contract that it was stipulated that the glass should be of such pattern as the architect should require, the committee applied to Col. Myers to furnish f)atterns.

Under his direction patterns were sent, costing $960. The committee found that the contractors had, in making the estimate on which their bid was based, allowed themselves only $200. The committee were, considering that the real cost of the building to the contractors was already far beyond the amount estimated by them for the work at the bidding, very reluctant to require so large additional cost. At the same time they believed the fulfillment of the contract according to the views of the contractors would not be satisfactory to the public.

The conclusion of the committee was to contract with Geo. A. Misch for putting in the light in less expensive patterns than those proposed for $506.

This amount, paid by county, might be deducted from the contract of Dawson & Anderson. The committee are, however, prepared to recommend that only so much be charged the contractors as the cost by them estimated at the bidding, say $200.

At the meeting of April. 1886. the committee reported that Dawson & Anderson had proposed to substitute oak finish for pine throughout the building for $500. or in the halls and one court room for $300; that the committee had accepted the last proposition. This action of the committee was approved by the board and $300 added on that account to the contract. Dawson & Anderson have substituted oak throughout the building, though without promise of extra pay beyond the $300 already allowed.

They ask the board to allow $200 additional. That the change is worth that amount to the building the committee believe, and recommend it be allowed.

Should the board concur in the recommendation as to glass and oak finish, it will leave the amount due on the contract of Dawson & Anderson unchanged, at $116.328.94 - the county paying Misch $506.

.: This amount is subject to offset for want of completion within the contract time, it being stipulated that the building should be completed by Sept. ist, 1886, and a penalty of $20 per day for any delay.

The county began to have a very limited use of a small part of the building about Nov. 1 5th. It was not till the last of December the clerks were able to move into their not quite finished offices, and not till now that the county has full use of the building.

Dawson & Anderson claim allowance for items of work required by the committee, which the committee claimed the right to require under the contract, which the contractors insisted were not required by a fair construction of the terms of the contract, and which were performed by them under protest. For 15.000 brick required to be put in tower in excess of what appeared

.-^s to these items, the committee required them because they thought theyNought to be done, even if at the cost of the county, and that the contract gave them the right to require it.

They are not, however, quite sure that the right to require the work is altogether free from doubt, and are satisfied the cost was not included in the contractor's estimate when he made the bid.

While the committee have not felt authorized to admit the claims, they think it entirely proper that the board should consider the propriety of giving the contractors the benefit of the doubt.

Dawson & Anderson have further stated to the committee, and the committee have examined the schedule, on which the bid was made, and found the statement correct, that in making the schedule important items were omitted, and while the contract required the performance of the work and to have been done without other compensation than the profits, if any, on the enumerated items.

The items of plastering were estimated at $4,200 and so appear in the schedule, but the amount is carried into the general summary at $2,200.

The committee has not felt authorized to do more than allow the contractors for each item as the county was clearly under obligation to pay by the strict terms of the contract.

How far it is proper for the board to go on giving liberal interpretation to the terms of the contract, or in allowing extra compensation for work done, required to be done by the contract, yet omitted from the contractor's estimate, each supervisor should judge for himself. The committee desire only to present the facts without recommendations, leaving each member of the committee as well as every other supervisor to act independently.

Some facts in the case are as follows: While the work is not entirely free from criticism, it is on the whole well done, much of it better than might have been expected.

The contractors have been held to strict compliance, without the favors and indulgences commonly, if not usually, given on public buildings by architects and superintendents. While it cannot be said nothing has been lost by neglect or bad management, on the whole, fewer mistakes than are usual on such buildings have been made, and great care has been taken in procuring the best terms in subcontracts and purchase of supplies, and on the whole, such business has been successfully done.

If held to the strict construction of the contract the contractors are heavy losers on the job, even with all the allowance they suggest to the board, they will not be indemnified.

The contract was made by both the county and contractors, in good faith, with the expectation that it could be performed for the money stipulated.

The errors in the schedule were not discovered till the work was well under way. Much allowance must be made for the seeming carelessness of the contractors in this. The plan of the building is different from that of any similar building. It is very complicated, and although the plans and specifications are unusually complete, a careful and complete estimate of all its parts requires an amount of care, skill and time very difficult for the contractors to give in the time limited.

The next lowest bid, at the letting, to that of Dawson & Anderson, was $4,500 higher, and was made by a contractor of experience in building court houses, and based on simple comparison of size of building with that of others erected by him. It may be properly said that in offering to erect the building at the amount named in the proposals (a lower figure than would represent the cost), the board was misled, that while the board was willing to contract at that price for this building, the plan might have been modified or abandoned if it had been shown to cost any larger sum.

On the other hand, perhaps, the building is worth all it cost, with such addilions as the board may make to the contractors' compensation, and no one would wish to lose the building for the price.

; . Nobody offered to perform the contract for less than $4,500 more than these contractors, and if to that party the contract had been let, the same questions might have arisen with him.

If the proposition to build the house at less than what the county is ultimately called upon to pay, induced the acceptance of the contract, and if no bid being received for less than is now proposed to pay, the board would have refused to go on with the plan. It may be fortunate that the board was deceived and led into what has proved for the advantage of the county.

The building committee recommend that the committee be instructed to retain the control of the building to such extent as they shall find necessary until the next meeting of the board. That they be instructed to see that the erection and finishing of the building be completed according to existing contracts and in compliance with the instructions of the board, and to settle contracts made by them in accordance with the instructions of the board and to order the issuing of county orders when necessary to fulfill such contracts.

Rooms 12 and 13 to the state's attorney, conditional that he occupy the same in person, keeping his office open during the business hours the year around.

That 14 be set apart for the exclusive use of ladies. 15 for a waiting room for ladies and their attendants. 21 for the grand jury. 22 and 23 to be in control of grand jury when required. ; ;

That the court rooms i6, 20 and 30 be at the disposal of the circuit and county courts, the circuit court to have precedence in i6 and the county court to have precedence in 20 unless the circuit court be first in possession.

That the board of supervisors meet and organize at each regular or special meeting, when no other provision has been made, in room 20; or if room 20 be occupied by one of the courts, then in room 30; or if both be so occupied, then in room i6.

That the rooms assigned to the county officers be in the control of the officers to whom they are severally assigned; that the other rooms be in the care of the sheriff to be made ready and opened, when required for their proper uses ; that the rooms not otherwise occupied be used as may be needed for witness, jury, committee or consultation rooms, and by the county officers when needed for work not conveniently done in their respective offices. ;::;/..

That the sheriff be directed to open the rooms in the court house, when not in use for county purposes, for such public or political meetings as according to the custom and practice of the county, may properly be held therein, such privileges to be exercised under such conditions and limitations or extensions as the board may from time to time provide, or as may, between the sessions of the board, be ordered by the chairman of the board or the building committee.

They recommend that the desk formerly in use by the deputy county clerk be given to the coroner and placed in the building as the coroner may, with the approval of the building committee, designate.

Moved by Mr. Luther Clark that Col. Myers be requested to state to the board, if, in the items of extras claimed by the contractor on account of better material having been furnished than is required by the contract, the material so furnished is better than required.

Friday Morning, Jan. 28th, 1887. - The board then proceeded to the consideration of the report of the building committee in relation to a final settlement with Messrs. Dawson & Anderson.

Mr. May moved as a substitute that the matter of final settlement with Daw- -; son & Anderson be postponed until the April meeting of the board.

2nd, And if the committee find on examination of Mr. Anderson's claims for extra work done on the court house (any portion of said claims are valid), that f they settle with him as far as the county is liable for extra work done. -i (The words in brackets above are added by the clerk to express the full meaning of the resolution.)

Mr. Gale stated that the building committee had expected to present a detailed statement of expenditures on all matters connected with the court house, : but owing to the unsettled condition of accounts, had been unable to do so. He moved that the committee be directed to prepare such a statement as soon as possible and cause the same to be published. Carried.

Moved by Mr. Paden that we reconsider the motion of Mr. May to postpone : action on the report of the building committee in the matter of final settlement with Dawson & Abderson until the April meeting. i

On motion of Mr. Paden, it was ordered that the board pass on the disputed items severally, and that the building committee be authorized to settle with Dawson & Anderson, paying such claims as may be allowed by the board.

To light the corridors and public rooms when needed, and turn off the lights at proper time, the work to be done at proper hours so as not to interfere with the use of the rooms ; to remain in the building all night to guard the same, or to employ for the purpose a suitable person capable of taking charge of the heating apparatus.

To keep the walks and lawns, when constructed, in proper condition, to employ at his own expense so much help as may be needed to properly perform the whole work. ' . j . .

It shall be a condition of the agreement that he shall not leave the employment on his own motion, except on thirty days' notice to the board in session, but shall be liable to removal by the board at anytime.

On motion of Mr. Gale, the building committee was authorized to allow on the disputed claims of Dawson & Anderson a sum not exceeding the amount of dam-

Mr. Gale presented a list of all orders drawn on the treasurer on account of construction of court house and all matters pertaining to the same, including heating, architect's fees, advertising, cistern, furniture, superintendent's salary, expenses of building committee, grading, gas fixtures, mantels and sundries, which was laid over for the inspection of the board and future action.

-They find the cost of hard burned brick, such as is used in the city, will not : exceed lo cents per square foot. That the cost of Berea stone flagging laid, will not exceed 27 cents.

The area of walks, exclusive of sidewalk on outside of the grounds, will be 12,000 to 16,000 feet, according to the plans to be adopted and width of walks.

They recommend the plan of walks heretofore proposed and now presented, be adopted, subject to such modification as the committee may find expedient, not materially increasing expense.

That the committee be authorized to build one-half the walks through the centeriof the park and to agree with the city for the construction of sidewalks and street curbing, the county paying the proportion of such expense paid by other proprietors of frontage in like cases. - ? -''.-?;

On motion of Mr. Mathews, the report was accepted, and its recommendations concurred in, and the committee was instructed to contract and complete the walks in accordance with the plans submitted, said walks to be made of good hard burned brick, and to be completed as soon as possible.

A list of all orders to date on the county treasurer on account of labor and material used in the construction of the new court house was presented, aggregating $146,453.51.

Mr. Sisson stated that Prof. Richards, of the city council of the city of Galesburg, was present and desired to present a matter to the board in regard to the walks to be built in the city park and bordering on the court house grounds.

By consent Prof. Richards addressed the board, stating that it had at one time been contemplated that a walk 12 feet wide would be built on the center line of Broad street continued through the park ; that it was not probable that a ' street would be opened through the park and be paved between the elm trees, making a driveway of about i6 or i8 feet wide and a walk laid on each side of this driveway outside of the elms. He asked that the county board waive the formality of a special assessment proceeding in court and arrange with the city to bear the expense of this improvement equally.

That the building committee be authorized to confer with the representative of the city and agree on such division of the management and care of the park and court house grounds as may seem to be most advantageous, and on a equitable division of the cost thereof.

(In offering the above resolution, Mr. Gale stated that the title to the ground to be occupied by the proposed street or driveway, was somewhat doubtful, it not being certain just where it rested, and before definite action on the proposition of Prof. Richards, the matter should be investigated. - Clerk.)

January Meeting, 1888. - ^ - Your committee to whom was referred sundry bills for labor and material in construction at court house and grounds would beg leave to submit the following report on the matters before them. They have examined the bills, and finding them correct, they recommend that orders issue for their payment, aggregating $1,104.26.

Mr. Gale read a further report of the same committee on other matters referred to them for consideration and action during vacation. , ... . ;. . -

They have caused to be built of brick the walks on the grounds heretofore con-V; ;. templated by the action of the board, except the walk in the center of the park; they have furnished brick for sidewalks on the three sides of the county grounds which have been laid by authority of the city. In this the rule usually adopted in the construction of brick pavements in the city is followed, the practice in such case being for the city to build the sidewalks and the proprietors furnishing either in part or wholly the brick. Upon constructing the pavements, it was found that additional filling was necessary for proper grades. This was increased by some changes made by the city in the grade of the city's portion of the park. They have made such additional filling and grading as seemed necessary. . .-

As directed by the board, the committee have sought to make some agree- V ment with the city government for such division and management of the park and court house grounds as might seem advantageous, and for an equitable division of the cost. - .

The park and court house grounds consist of what appears on the original plat of the town in blocks 38 and 39 and a strip of land 6 rods in width appearing as a street and separating the blocks. - ' ''.. - This street seems to never have been worked as a street, but the two blocks and intervening space have been for more than thirty years inclosed together for a park, most of the ground previous to that time being always open and in a ^-'^ state of nature. At the time of the vote on the removal of the county seat, the C . city as authorized by law, pledged to the county in case of removal, the east half ;-;;<. of the park grounds as a court house site, the title and occupancy then being in ^.jr Knox college. The city procured from the college a deed to the county of block : - 39, conditioned on its occupancy by a court house, and afterwards secured from the college a deed of blocks 38 and 39, subject to the county's claim, to be used exclusively as a park. '^ V^ . , , ;' ^-'-^. '.^--'''~.':

As seemed to the committee equitable, the proposition was made to the city -^; ' ' council that the county and city should each care for one-half of the grounds, :. the county building, .all necessary walks to accommodate persons approaching - .^ the court house or crossing the grounds in any direction on the east half and join- V ing the city equally in the cost of such walk as might be convenient on the divid- . :v ing line. No direct answer has been received to the proposition. .'

^ The committee learned through the newspapers that the city council had or- -:.'.. dered the opening of Broad street through the park, and the paving of the street and sidewalks on each side of the street, the entire cost to be assessed against the property abutting on the street. v ,;

The committee were advised that the right of the council to open Broad street. ' through the park was at most doubtful. It seemed to the committee that so far as the interests and convenience of the county at large was concerned, it was very undesirable. They failed to see the justice and propriety of compelling the taxpayers of the county outside the city limits to contribute to the expense of such construction, of no use whatever for the purpose of approach to the county buildings. The injustice seemed greater in the fact that the universal rule in . the city in like improvements has been to charge only one-half the cost of improvements against the abutting property. They found the cost assessed against the county would amount to about one thousand dollars. Under these circumstances the committee thought it their duty to ask for an injunction, which would at least delay the matter until the meeting of the board. An injunction was asked for and obtained. The committee desire to refer the question to the board to consider what further action should be taken. The committee made request of the council to curb Cherry street on the east side of the grounds according to the plans adopted two years ago, and for which the county paid an assessment. They also asked that Tompkins and South streets be curbed, the county paying the proportion of expense usually paid by holders of frontage for like improvements. So far as is known to the committee, no action has been taken by the city.

In carrying out the instructions of the board, there has been expended on the grounds by the committee: Allowed and paid by the board at the September meeting to Neeley I

James Paden

On motion of Mr. McKee the foregoing report was accepted and the action of the committee in relation to the matters therein contained approved.

Mr. May moved a vote of thanks to the members of the board heretofore composing the building committee for their efficient and faithful services connected with the construction of the court house. Carried.

Of which Mr. Gale received 20, Mr. Townsend 14, Mr. Robson 12, Mr. Sisson 9, Mr. Miles 8, Mr. Rebstock 8, Mr. May 7 and the others scattering.

Messrs. Gale, Townsend, Robson and Sisson, being the four receiving the highest number of votes, were declared elected. Messrs. Miles and Rebstock each receiving eight votes, Mr. Rebstock withdrew his name, and on his motion Mr. Miles was declared elected.

April 1 8, 1888. - Letter of Dawson & Anderson and agreement between Dawson & Anderson, Pittsburg Bridge Co., and Eagle Iron Works in regard to final settlement of iron contracts for court house were read and referred to the same committee; also copy of letter of county clerk to Dawson & Anderson, showing statement of account in the matter of construction of court house.

April 19, 1888. - Statement of Dawson & Anderson asking for an allowance of $4,741.50, on account of errors in estimates and of items furnished but claimed not to be required by the contract for the construction of the court house was read.

One P. M. - The hour for the special order of the afternoon having arrived, Mr. E. A. Bancroft appeared and addressed the board in behalf of Dawson & Anderson.

Mr. Bancroft having concluded his remarks, Mr. Latimer moved that the matter be referred to the committee on court house and grounds to report at next meeting of the board. - . ''v/ - ^ :

. -v'. Your committee on court house and grounds in the matter of claims con- . nected with the contract with Messrs. Dawson & Anderson, beg leave to report :

It appears that the amount found due Dawson & Anderson in February, 1887, as appears by the record of the proceedings of the board, and by the account kept by the county clerk, was $i 17,797.19 which amount has been held back to indemnify the county against any possible claim against the county by parties sub-contractors for the iron work on the court house. i

The committee recommend that these papers be filed and made matters of record and that orders issue in conformity to such settlement as follows: ).' . ,

The committee further recommend that inasmuch as Messrs. Dawson & Anderson were entitled to receive the amount of $4,166.03 one year and more ago, and the amount has been withheld for the protection of the county, and it seems but just that interest be allowed for this detention; that a further order issue to Dawson & Anderson on account of interest to the amount of $250 or six per cent, on the amount due them last year.

In the matter of petition of citizens who have sat on jury for enlargement of jury box, we recommend that the request be complied with. . All of which is respectfully submitted. . , ;;. ,'. Vr:.- -;,.; |

GENTLEMEN : - We attach hereto authority to Dickenson and Thurber, of Detroit, Michigan, to settle for all claims in connection with the building of the court house on behalf of the Pittsburg Bridge Company; also enclose a letter directed to you signed by the Eagle Iron Works and Dickenson and Thurber, attorneys for the Pittsburg Bridge Company, empowering our firm to 'make settlement with you and your county for all claims for building your court house at Galesburg; also enclose a letter from Messrs. Dawson and Anderson directed to you embodying an order that you pay to us the sxun of $3,750.00, and charge the same to their account. ; ,':...':;.': ;V^ : I

Acting under the authorities shown by these letters we do hereby for and on behalf of the Eagle Iron Works, and on behalf of the Pittsburg Bridge Company, fully and completely discharge you as chairman of the building committee, and the building committee of the county commissioners of Knox county, and the commissioners of Knox county and the county of Knox from all claims and demands whatsoever growing out of, or in any way connected with the building or building contracts for the building of the Galesburg court house.

We trust this will enable you to call your committee together and act upon it. This discharge, however, to take effect only upon the acceptance and payment to us of the sum of $2.750, in accordance with the enclosed order of Dawson and Anderson, otherwise these papers to be returned to us.

GENTLEMEN : - We hereby appoint our attorneys, Messrs. Dickenson and Thurber, of Detroit, Mich., to receipt for us, and in our name, in full for all amounts due us on our claims against the Eagle Iron Works, Dawson & Anderson, and yourselves.

DEAR SIR : - Terms of settlement having been agreed upon between the Eagle Iron Works and ourselves for work done and material furnished by them for the Galesburg court house, you are hereby authorized to pay them or their order three thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars ($3,750), and charge same to our account. : 'V- :;>-.'^"': //-;:;:>-;.;;--:;/'---- -./'.-^ .x;'-. . - '^:. "':':''..v^'- --' '^ --''

DEAR SIR : - Terms of settlement having been agreed upon between ourselves, we hereby empower Moore & Moore to complete settlement with your county for all claims for building court house and to give full discharge therefor.

That the committee be authorized to make arrangements to procure water for use of court house from the city, and have the stone work of the court house repointed where needed.

That the same committee be authorized to join the city in the construction of such walks as may be agreed on at the boundary of the county portion of public grounds.

the city as are just and proper for pavements and curbing adjacent to court house grounds, and be directed to protect the county from assessments which may seem to be unjust or of doubtful propriety.

September Meeting, 1888. - Mr. Gale presented the following report of the building committee which was read, and action thereon deferred until the next meeting of the board. :../-'' '' .'. '-' ^V- 'i^ - : I; ;

This is work the committee required, believing it necessary to the proper construction of the building, and claiming with some reason that it was included in the specifications and plans. The work was done by Dawson & Anderson under protest, they claiming their contract did not require it. The committee did not feel authorized to order or allow for extra construction, and after settling with the contractors for such claims as were indisputably due, referred these matters to the board, believing if it shall appear to the board, that the terms of the contract did not require the work, its necessity would be recognized, the action of the committee approved and payment ordered. Upon re-examination of the matter by the committee, under the reference made at the July meeting, the committee is satisfied that the right to demand this work is at least doubtful, that the contractors in bidding did not contemplate doing it, and in fact, have done the work without pay for it.

They are of the opinion that there is at least a strong probability that the contractors can legally recover, and they recommend that these items be paid. These items include all that the contractors claim to be legally entitled to, beyond the payments already received.

They claim, however, that the county ought to allow them a further sum, a claim not based on any legal right, but due them on grounds of equity and fair dealing.

Their bid for construction was accompanied by a schedule in which was set down the estimated cost of each item of work and material. The amount bid was the sum total of these items, with addition of 5 per cent, to cover cost of superintendence and contingent expenses. In this schedule there were three important omissions.

The bid was further reduced in amount by an error in addition, the plastering being carried with the column of totals $2,000 less than the estimate.

As to these claims the committee made no recommendation. They do not believe that the county can be legally obliged to make any allowance for these errors of calculation. The appeal is made by them to a sense of justice and such an appeal should be answered by each member of the board for himself, regarding, as he should, the opinion and wishes of his constituents.

It may be said in behalf of the contractors, the woodwork in the building being very superior, both in workmanship and material, and although the contractors succeeded in getting it very cheaply, considering its character, its cost to the contractors, aside from the gallery front, exceeded the estimate in the schedule, and it is the opinion of that member of the committee, who is best qualified to judge of such work, Mr. Robson, that the contract might have been filled with work sufficiently inferior and cheaper to have saved the loss, even including the gallery front. The vault door is very cheap - the result of a fortunate opportunity to buy at a bargain. \. j

The contractors have been held to a rigid performance of the contract to a degree unusual in public work. They have done honest and faithful work. If all their claims were allowed, the cost of the building to the county would be less than anybody else offered to do the same work for. The contractors would still be large losers, and the committee do not believe the work could have been done, and as well done by anybody at the cost. . ., . . ,..

January Meeting, 1889. - On motion of Mr. Gale, the report of the building committee in relation to Dawson & Anderson, filed at the last meeting of the board, was taken up for consideration and read by the clerk.

be allowed and paid, on condition that the amount be received in full of all claims, whatsoever, by said Dawson & Anderson against Knox county, on acconut of the construction of the court house and of all matters growing out of the same. Carried.

Your committee on building claims would beg leave to report that they have examined all claims presented to them, and recommend the payment of the following, and that the clerk be directed to issue orders on the county treasurer to the claimants for the several amounts allowed as follows, to-wit: -

At the January meeting, 1889, a final report of the committee on buildings and grounds was made and a final payment was made Dawson & Anderson, general contractors on account of the building. Final settlement was also made for furniture and putting same in place. These two payments were the final payments and completed the building so far as it had been planned up to that time.

At the April meeting, 1889, there was a reorganization of the committees, when the committee on buildings and grounds was dropped. ;v "';;.;- j

Full reports of the progress of the work on this court house have been incorporated in this history, but we deem it a matter of historic value to add a complete copy of the annual report of the county clerk, which was submitted to the board of supervisors at the September meeting, 1889, as it shows the financial condition of Knox county after the payment of every bill incurred in the construction of the court house. Not a bond had been issued in aid of this construction. An annual tax, sufficient to care for the annual progress in the work on the building, had been levied and many of the tax payers of the county found it difficult to believe that the work was completed and paid for. There was cash on hand September i, 1884, the sum of $23,089.36. The board made a levy that fall of $80,000 for all purposes. Out of this all bills for court house construction were paid besides all bills for the current expenses for the county the ensuing year, leaving $22,034.43 on hand, September i, 1885. The city of Galesburg owed the county $10,000 for the fire-proof, which would make $32,034.43 at the disposal of the county board for the ensuing year. The board thereupon again levied $80,000 for all purposes, which made an aggregate of $113,034.43, with which to pay current expenses and work on the court house from September i, 1885 to September i, 1886. The financial statement for September 1886, shows amount on hand $13,474.75. It was thought best to levy a tax for $80,000, which would make an entire clean-up of all expenditures on account of the new court house and all furnishings connected therewith. This was done and the following report shows the result: |

. I herewith present the county treasurer's financial statement for the year ending September i, 1889, showing cash on hand $18,788.62. This amount according to past experience will probably be sufficient to pay all demands upon the treasury until receipts are realized from the collection of taxes.

The ordinary accumulation of papers and files has made it necessary to procure some furniture not included in the above. They are omitted because they are such as will be called for from time to time in the future, and are not properly chargeable to the account of construction, unless the account is to be kept open for all time, as is the practice of railway companies. ?;;-;- .: ;: -

The following is a statement of the amount of claims allowed during the year compared with those allowed during the year 1888. It should be borne in mind that in making these statements, the year is reckoned from September ist to September ist:

It is gratifying to note that the expenditures of the county have returned to a normal figure ; that even with the purchase of nearly $800 worth of new furniture and the payment of $1,740 to Dawson & Anderson, the amount expended is somewhat below the usual levy of six years ago.

It would seem that a levy of $40,000 would be sufficient for the year. ' It is with pain that I mention the fact that the office of the clerk of the circuit court became vacant by the death of Mr. Josiah Gale by a railroad accident near Esterbrook in the state of Colorado on the 29th of August last. The sad news reached us in the forenoon of the 3Oth. His honor. Judge Glenn, of the circuit court, was appraised of the occurrence and after consultation with the attorneys and others interested, the appointment of Mr. George W. Gale, brother of deceased, to fill vacancy until a successor shall be elected, was made by Judges Glenn and Pleasants, and the governor was notified of their act.

Thus was completed and equipped with every convenience for the county of Knox an elegant court house, thoroughly well built in every particular, for the sum of $156,261.00. It has one fault. It was thought that glass was more expensive than stone, the windows were made small to lessen the cost and therefore the halls and some of the rooms are rather dark. With larger windows the building would be almost faultless.

The writer here desires to make a few statements in addition to all the record history given in relation to the building of this court house. At the commencement of this work the board of supervisors was composed of the following individuals: -. . ,^ . : -.

Mr. R. G. Mathews was elected chairman and the building committee was composed of the following persons : Sloan, Robson, Gale, Charles, Harden, Leighton. In 1885 Mr. Miles was placed on the building committee in the place of Charles, not in the board. In 1886 Mr. Townsend was placed on the building committee in the place of Harden, not re-elected. In 1887 Mr. Andrews was placed on the committee in the place of Miles and Mr. Miles was added to the committee by vote of the board. In 1888 the name of the committee was changed to court house and grounds. The new committee consisted of Gale, Robson. Townsend, Sisson and Miles. It will be seen that Mr. Gale and Mr. Robson were the only members who remained on the committee from the beginning until the completion of the court house. The only members who are still living who were on the board at the time the work was begun are S. H. Olson, Samuel Rankin, Samuel W. May, Leon A. Townsend, Harvey Montgomery, James Rebstock and John W. Andrews - seven members still living and nineteen gone to their long

As already stated, it was the writer's privilege to have been county clerk and clerk of the board of supervisors during the period of court house construction, and therefore to have been intimately acquainted with all of these men, and he feels at liberty to speak somewhat freely in regard to them. The long contest over the removal of the county seat from Knoxville to Galesburg had divided the county into two opposing camps, each camp made up of selected men who were elected for the express purpose of looking closely after that one interest. The board contained an unusual proportion of bracing men. It ranked high for its business capacity and strict integrity. Not a man was placed there through his own machinations, but purely because the people wanted him. It is doubtful if the legislature of the state of Illinois, or in fact any other state, ever contained a higher percentage of upright and capable men. Each man had fought to the limit for the people he represented in the county seat contest, and when the battle was over and the order to build was voted, there was not a single obstructionist in the board, but all turned their attention and their best efforts to securing a good building at the lowest price. Not one dollar of graft was ever paid to anyone on account of any work connected with that job. The actual cost of the building was about $7,c«o more than the county paid for it, and it was only by the careful management of the building committee that the job was completed at all by the contractors. If the committee had done differently, the contractors would have failed before the close of the year 1885, and the work have been relet to some other parties at a jnuch higher price. The contract provided that monthly estimates of work done should be made and paid for, less 15% to be retained by the committee. It soon became evident that the stone work would cost many thousands of dollars more than was bid, and that if the contract were adhered to strictly, the work could not be finished. It was made to appear to the committee that a good profit would come to the contractor in the plastering, glass, iron and woodwork. This work was to be done and paid tor later, so the committee, rather than bankrupt the contractor at the start, take the job off his hands and find some other way to complete it, chose to pay the full amount of each monthly estimate, and on one occasion overpaid the sum of $2,cxx). This assistance enabled the contractor to complete the job, but owing to his mistakes in figuring, omissions and possibly bad management, his profits on the other classes of work did not make him whole.

The next work of importance connected with the court house, was the installation of the electric lighting plant, the telephone system and the remodelling of the heating plant, which covers the extension of these three conveniences to the jail. If the board had realized the full cost of this work, it is somewhat doubtful whether it would have been done, but they are very great conveniences, we may almost say necessities, under the modern way of living and doing business. After more or less discussion in the board, the work was begun in the summer of 1906, and the first report was made to the board at the September meeting. These reports are sufficiently explicit to show the improvements and are therefore given without further comment.

December Meeting, 1906. - Your committee on the installation of the electric light and power plant have examined the report of Adkins-Smeeton Co., and find :

1. That there is an error in said report in stating the cost of the light and power plant and the office telephone system as follows : The item amounting to $557.95, with credits of $134.52, leaving a balance of $423.43, in the bill of Henry Newgard & Co., is stated in the auditors' report to be for "extra work, feeders underground," whereas, the bill of this item shows that every dollat- thereof was for material for the underground system and none of it for labor.

mistake, duplicated an item of $799.50, expended for labor, charging this amount first to the telephone system, and again afterwards to the jail feeders.

The auditors' report makes an "analysis of cost," in which the total cost of the telephone system is figured at $1712. In this amount is included a bill of Henry Newgard and Co., for $1542.85, consisting of materials amounting to $514.35, and labor as follows: .. ^-- </-- -; ^-;- x-; :^:\f -;^''::'v . -. -; " ^

When the auditors come to analyze the cost of the jail feeders, they again in-; elude a labor item amounting to $799.50. This item consists of the same labor above mentioned and already charged to the telephone system, apparently as follows :

Thus according to the auditors' "analysis," this item of $799.50 is duplicated and charged to the jail feeders when in fact it has already been charged to the telephone system. In this way, by adtling this sum of $799.50 to the correct bill for the jail feeders which amounts to $448.16, the auditors' report figures the total labor cost of the jail feeders to be $1,247.66, or nearly three times the true amount thereof.

It is therefore evident that the auditors' finding as to the over charge of labor, being based on these incorrect figures, is also incorrect. .:

3. We further report that in figuring the alleged overcharge the auditors have estimated the labor cost on the jail feeders to amount to $138.83. This estimate is not based on any inspection of the work actually done, nor upon any expert knowledge of its cost or its value, but is based solely upon an estimate as to the time required for the work apparently founded on Mr. Allen's report. Mr. Allen's report in this particular is evidently defective and incomplete, inasmuch as the auditors estimate the time of work required on the jail feeders at 271^ hours when it is evident to any one who will carefully inspect the work, that it could not, by any possibility, have been completed in that length of time. -. . . -. :

Your committee further calls the attention of the board to the fact that the total labor cost on the jail feeders is $448.16 instead of $1,247.66. as stated in the auditors' report ; that this item of $448.16 includes not only the digging of the ditch for the conduits, but also cutting through the heavy foundations of the court house and jail, repairing the same with concrete and cement, and putting them in as good condition as before, taking up and relaying the side walk in three places, taking up and relaying the pavement on Cherry street, which was crossed diagonally, and the placing and tamping down of three iron pipes constituting the conduit. This work was done in the winter when the ground was frozen and in refilling the trench, the dirt had to be dissolved in water. In addition to the cost of laying the conduit there was the labor of pulling the cable and wires through the conduits and putting them in place.

An extended discussion followed relative to matters pertaining to the special reports of the lighting committee by Supervisors McDowell, Gale, Latimer, Robson, Epperson, McWilliams and Burkhalter.

Mr. Robson of the jail committee then made further verbal statements relative to the lighting plant for the court house and jail and the discussion of that subject and the telephone system was resumed by various members of the board.

December meeting, 1906. - Statement of the cost of the purchase and installation of the electric light and power plant for the court house and jail and telephone system for same buildings.

Hanging fixtures (Henry Newgard & Co.) not in original contract.. 200.00 Material and labor on underground conduits not contemplated when |- .

Material and labor necessary for repairing and remodeling the steam plant and placing same in safe condition for furnishing power, which said material and labor was found to be necessary only after the work of connecting the steam plant with the engine was begun $ 2,635.25

The telephone system, which was a separate job from the others and not contemplated when the original contract was let, was installed along with the wiring for lighting plant because deemed an economy of time and labor $ 1,712.60

Edwin A. Allen, superintendent, which item of cost covers the super- T intendence and inspection of the three foregoing jobs, viz: wiring and installing of electric plant, hanging fixtures, remodeling heating plant, and installation of telephone system 654.28

. The bills for all the above amounts, and the receipts for the payments thereon, or for county orders issued therefor are on file in the county clerk's office.

Out of the total cost of the lighting plant, $9,961.27, there might be deducted an amount of about $2,500.00, being the estimated cost of engine, generator and storage battery, making a cost of $7,461.27 as the amount necessary to have been expended in order to purchase electric current.

An account of the construction of the building known as the fire proof at Knoxville may properly be considered as a supplement to the account of court house building. It was begfun in the summer of 1854 and was settled for in full February 9, 1856, although the receipt was not filed until the May meeting, 1856.

June meeting, 1854. - At the June meeting of the board of supervisors 1854 bids for the construction of fire proof offices were presented, opened and acted upon as follows:

The board in pursuance to notice given now proceeded to open the bids for building fire proof offices, two bids only were offered, Samuel Fox having made a bid for building the said offices of $5,375.00 and Edson Huggins for the sum of $5,700.00. : .

On motion of Mr. Reynolds it was voted that the bid of Samuel Fox for the fire proof offices be referred to the committee on public buildings to consult with Mr. Fox in regard to the payments and the time of completing the same, etc.

; The committee on public buildings and grounds to whom was referred the proposition and to consult with Mr. Fox in reference to the building fire proof offices now filed a report which was read and adopted by the board.

Resolved, That the bid of Samuel Fox be accepted upon the basis of the report submitted this morning, in relation to the fire proof buildings, and that Z. Cooley be appointed to superintend the building, construction and completion of the same, and that the committee on public buildings close the contract, and take bond of the contractor.

By the December meeting the construction of the fire proof building had reached a point where the board of supervisors found it advisable to adopt the following resolution :

On motion it is ordered that the superintendent of the building of the fire proof offices be authorized to draw orders in favor of Samuel Fox from time to time in such sums as he shall judge advisable in accordance with the contract between said Fox and the building committee.

Report of the committee to whom was appointed to examine the account of Samuel Fox in building of the fire proof building do report that we have examined said account and find according to the best information we can get to be correct, the said Fox agrees to have the two offices ready for occupancy in two weeks and to have the building completed by the ist day of May for the performance of which he agrees to give sufficient security, in consideration of which your committee recommend that the board of supervisors make a final settlement with said Fox and allow him over and above his account $500 for his time and work not presented in his bill. Your committee find from examination of the building and all the information that we can get that the work is done in the most satisfactory manner. "- '. '^ -:

Moved that the report of the committee be adopted and that Samuel Fox be allowed $1,167.39 above the contract price. Adopted. -^ .,-.;:;. :.v:-v'

ORDERED : That Geo. A. Charles be and he is appointed by the board to settle with Samuel Fox on the completion of the fire proof offices according to contract. ' On the 7th of January, 1856, the fire proof building was again the subject of action by the board : ' ;-

ORDERED: That Messrs. Morey and Cooley be authorized to have the fire proof ' office fitted in a suitable manner and render bill at the next meeting of this board.

ORDERED: That the clerk issue an order on the treasurer in favor of Geo. A. Charles for twenty-seven hundred dollars to pay to Samuel Fox on his contract for building the fire proof offices upon said Fox filing and giving good security for the finishing of said offices to be by him approved.

May meeting, 1856. - Geo. A. Charles, who was appointed at the last meeting of the board (in January last) to settle with Samuel Fox for building the clerk's offices and to whom an order was passed by this board at that time for the sum of twenty-seven hundred dollars for the purpose of making such set- ,. tlement upon said Fox completing his contract, now files and presents to the board receipts from said Fox for said sum which receipts are in the words and figures following: '.'...;

It appears that Mr. Charles paid Samuel Fox upon said fire proof building on February 9, 1856, the sum of $2,700 and receipts for the same having been presented to the court his report of settlement with said Fox was received and the following order entered: - > 1

On motion it is ordered that the report of Geo. A. Charles in the business of settling with Samuel Fox be received and that he be discharged.

This building was used as a fire-proof depository for the valuable records of Knox county from the time of its completion until February, 1873, ^ period of about seventeen years, when the county seat was removed to Galesburg. The books were then put into a building also called the fire-proof, situated on South Cherry street on the lot now occupied by the new city hall. This build- - ' ing was used for the safe keeping of the county records until the new court house was ready for occupancy. The county offices moved into the new court v' house about January 5, 1887. : . ;..-:- .T^- . .: ---, -^ - ---::=, .^ S;; '.-

The struggle for the final location of the seat of justice of Knox county was characterized by much the same tactics on the two sides as has always attended such social wars. It has been related in this history that the first courts and elections were held at the house of John B. Gum, Esq.. who resided on Section 32 in Henderson township at that time. On March 24, 1830, Rees

Jones was employed to go to Springfield, Illinois, to purchase the southwest quarter of Section 28, Knox township, which had been designated by law for the permanent seat of justice for the county. This land was bought and paid for and the court house and jail erected upon it. A portion, at least, of the land so purchased was surveyed into streets and lots and sold at auction and thus the town of Henderson (afterwards the name was changed to Knoxville) was started as the permanent "seat of justice." The town of Galesburg was started in 1836. Knox college was chartered in 1837 and thus there ^yas established a competitor with Knoxville only five miles away. Both towns increased in population at about the same rate and did not differ very much until the advent of the railroads in 1854 as the result of negotiations which had been in progress for three or four years. No sooner had the railroad reached Galesburg than she turned her covetous eyes to the county seat and quietly laid plans for wresting the prize from Knoxville. The centering of the railroads from the north, south, east and west and the location of shops and round houses at Galesburg gave the town a boom that raised the population rapidly, doubling that of Knoxville several times.

From that time on may be seen in the acts of the board of supervisors, sometimes dimly, sometimes vividly, the out-cropping of this contest, each side taking the aggressive and acting upon the defensive as the case demanded. The aggressive policy of Galesburg was directed to an increase of its power and influence in the county board ; its defensive policy to prevent all further improvements at Knoxville. The policy of Knoxville was upon the whole defensive in resisting the growth of the power and influence of Galesburg. Both parties sought legislative relief ; Galesburg by obtaining a bill for the division of the township from the city in such a way as to increase its representation in the county board ; Knoxville by inserting a clause in the new constitution touching the removal of county seats from a point away from the center of the county to a point nearer the center of the county. T ' - - -

Quite a large part of this struggle will be found in the chapters on court houses, jails and the alms house and poor farm. This chapter gives those proceedings of the county board which have a more direct bearing on the conflict and it is therefore given under the heading "The County Seat Fight." The first move was made by Galesburg in the spring of 1856. ; ,-:.;.

At the spring election of 1856 an assistant supervisor for the town of Galesburg was voted for. Samuel W. Brown was elected and he presented his certificate of election at a special May meeting of the board and the following action was taken. ' . - v; - , : ^ . ^ I '

Samuel W. Brown now presents to the board his certificate of election as assistant supervisor of the town of Galesburg, together with a list of legal voters of said township made under the authority of the township officers with the appointment of said officers to take the same from which it appears that said township contained 829 legal voters on the ist day of April last - when on motion it was voted that Samuel W. Brown be entitled to his seat as a member of this board.

January, 1866. - Mr. Gale presented a petition of citizens of Galesburg asking a division of said town, which on motion of Mr. Gale was referred to a committee, the chair appointing Messrs. Gale, \^aughn and Dunlap, with instructions to report to the present meeting of the board.

The Old Court House At Knoxville

Jones was employed to go to Springfield, Illinois, to purchase the southwest quarter of Section 28, Knox township, which had been designated by law for the permanent seat of justice for the county. This land was bought and paid for and the court house and jail erected upon it. A portion, at least, of the land so purchased was surveyed into streets and lots and sold at auction and thus the town of Henderson (afterwards the name was changed to Knoxville) was started as the permanent "seat of justice." The town of Galesburg was started in 1836. Knox college was chartered in 1837 and thus there was established a competitor with Knoxville only five miles away. Both towns increased in population at about the same rate and did not differ very much until the advent of the railroads in 1854 as the result of negotiations which had been in progress for three or four years. No sooner had the railroad reached Galesburg than she turned her covetous eyes to the county seat and quietly laid plans for wresting the prize from Knoxville. The centering of the railroads from the north, south, east and west and the location of shops and round houses at Galesburg gave the town a boom that raised the population rapidly, doubling that of Knoxville several times.

From that time on may be seen in the acts of the board of supervisors, sometimes dimly, sometimes vividly, the out-cropping of this contest, each side taking the aggressive and acting upon the defensive as the case demanded. The aggressive policy of Galesburg was directed to an increase of its power and influence in the county board ; its defensive policy to prevent all further improvements at Knoxville. The policy of Knoxville was upon the whole defensive in resisting the growth of the power and influence of Galesburg. Both parties sought legislative relief ; Galesburg by obtaining a bill for the division of the township from the city in such a way as to increase its representation in the county board ; Knoxville by inserting a clause in the new constitution touching the removal of county seats from a point away from the center of the county to a point nearer the center of the county. ' ' j ..

Quite a large part of this struggle will be found in the chapters on court houses, jails and the alms house and poor farm. This chapter gives those proceedings of the county board which have a more direct bearing on the conflict and it is therefore given under the heading "The County Seat Fight." The first move was made by Galesburg in the spring of 1856.

At the spring election of 1856 an assistant supervisor for the town of Galesburg was voted for. Samuel W. Brown was elected and he presented his certificate of election at a special !May meeting of the board and the following action was taken. , . - > ^ .- I '- .

Samuel W. Brown now presents to the board his certificate of election as assistant supervisor of the town of Galesburg, together with a list of legal voters of said township made under the authority of the township officers with the appointment of said officers to take the same from which it appears that said township contained 829 legal voters on the ist day of April last - when on motion it was voted that Samuel W. Brown be entitled to his seat as a member of this board.

January, 1866. - Mr. Gale presented a petition of citizens of Galesburg asking a division of said town, which on motion of Mr. Gale was referred to a committee, the chair appointing Messrs. Gale, \'aughn and Dunlap, with instructions to report to the present meeting of the board.

Mr. Gale from committee to whom was referred the petition of citizens of Galesburg for a division of said town, made the following report which was adopted :

Mr. Rhea of Salem moved that a committee of three l>e apfx>inted to examine and report as to the rights and qualifications of assistant sujjervisors from the towns of Galesburg and West Galesburg. Carried. When the chair apjxjinted Messrs. Rhea, Dunlap and Meek said committee. ;> ,>;:.'-- .

The committee to which was referred the rights of the assistant supen'isors in Galesburg and West Galesburg to their seats, reported that they had made the necessary examination, and would report that each of said towns are entitled to a supervisor and assistant supervisor each. Report accepted and approved.

April meeting, 1867. - At this meeting of the Ixjard, the struggle over the loca-.- tion of the county seat had advanced to a point where the representation of Galesburg in the Ixjard was challenged. It was conceded that A. C. Clay was duly elected a member - other members from Galesburg were voted for whose names were - not put on the roll of supervisors. After the organization of the board, Mr. Clay, ; , therefore made the following motion :

Mr. Clay moved that a committee of five be appointed by the chair, from different towns, to examine credentials, with power to send for persons and papers. Adopted, when the chair appointed Messrs. Clay, X'aughn. Beadle, Dunlap and ./ Shaffer said committee.

On motion the board took a recess to enable the committee to investigate the -' credentials of members claiming seats from the city of Galesburg, Knoxville and elsewhere. ;; . : - '

Your committee would further report in the case of the persons claiming seats from the city of Galesburg, that we find by examining the poll lists of the city of Galesburg, that 1,375 persons voted at the last city election; and Isaac Delano, F. R. Bartlett, Holcomb, Stewart, C. P. West, J. R. West, Stanley, L. E. Conger, Crocker, Hickey, Bates, Robinson, Chaplain, Troman, Morse, Russell, Nash, Chaplain, Bergen, Williams, Comstock, Ekins and Owens, swear that they are acquainted with, and personally know 292 persons that are legal voters, whose names do not appear on the poll list, making in all 1,667 legal voters residing in the city of Galesburg. It also appears that there are 49 names of persons residing in the city of Galesburg, in addition to the above, that are not properly certified to, which may or may not be legal voters. And your committee would report that W. Selden Gale, Henry R. Sanderson, L. E. Conger, and Richard H. Whiting, are duly elected supervisors, and are entitled to seats in this board from the city of Galesburg.

And your committee would further report, that there has been no evidence produced to show that Knoxville is entitled to more than one supervisor. . - .^- ; ... - A. C. CLAY,

Mr. Dunlap moved that the report of the committee be adopted. Mr. Charles moved to amend that the members elect from the city of Galesburg be rejected until they produce a certified copy of the act under which they claim to be elected. Lost.

. Mr. Charles appealed from the decision of the chair and demanded the yeas and nays thereon. The chair being sustained by the following vote : Yeas - Messrs. Meek, Harden, Clay, Dunlap, Wycoff, Newell, Sumner, Holyoke, Beadle, Hamrick, Swigart, Miles, Johnson, Chambers, Hall, Wood, Shaffer, Vaughn and Gibbs, 19. Nays - Mr. Charles, i. ^ . ; : ; :. ;-.V:.;- ".-'":;;-:-: -M: '"; The question being on the adoption of the report of the committee, the yeas and nays were demanded, resulting :

On motion of Mr. Miles the same committee were reappointed to investigate the credentials of the assistant supervisor from the town of Knox.

- . Mr. Clay from committee on credentials made the following report. '. ;- The committee appointed on the credentials of members ask leave to report:

On which resolution, the yeas and nays were called, resulting: Yeas - Messrs. Newell, Sumner, Charles, Keightley, Hamrick, Swigart, Miles, Johnson, Hall,

- Wood, Shaffer and Vaughn, 12. Nays - Messrs. Meek, Hardin, Clay, Gale, Con- ' ger, Sanderson, Whiting, Dunlap, Wyckoff, Beadle, Chambers, Gibbs and chair-