Typed as spelled and written - Lena Stone Criswell
THE DAILY DEMOCRAT
Thirty-First Year Number 188
Marlin, Texas, Wednesday, December 9, 1931
LAWSUIT THREATENED OVER
BUILDING OF COURTHOUSE
~~~~~
Temple of Justice Provided With
Lightning Rods as Protection
Against Elements.
One of the first duties which E. C. Stuart, Falls county's first county judge,
an office created by the legislature in 1876, was to assume responsibility for
was completion of the courthouse then under construction. And it was a
real job, too, for a controversy had arisen between the contractor, Thomas R.
King and the court which resulted in the contractor suing the county. The
controversy was settled, however, upon the arrival of the state architect from
Austin, A compromise was effected.
~~~~~
Judge Stuart "in
conjunction with" the state architect drew up teh compromise agreement and the
contractor proceeded with the work. From the minutes it appears the brick
walls were about half constructed but the mortar was unsatisfactory and it was
necessary to change the specifications. Various changes were made in the
original contract and the work already completed to comply with the new
agreement. The roof was to be frame with cupelow, to have a standing seam
tin roof, wood cornice; a vault was to be constructed of brick in the west
passage; floors were to be of wood. Closing the controversy Goodrich and
Clarkson were paid for their legal services in behalf of the court in the suit.
~~~~~
The courhouse was completed about September 1, 1876. The court contracted
for lightening rods for it September 8th. In those days it was generally
conceded that in the name of safety from the wrath of the elements these
protective devises must be installed on home, business houses and barns--and now
the county court house! They were ornamental, too--those little standards
sticking up at each corner and a few between to add to safety and beauty, with
the shiny silvery balls and above and the arrows pivoted to always point toward
the wind.
~~~~~
The county contracted for lightening rods at the following prices; 8 cents a
foot for the rods, 35c each for the balls, $5.00 each for the braces and $3.00
each for the points. There were to be eight points and four balls and
braces on the house.
~~~~~
At the next session M. H. Curry and Judge Stuart were appointed to contract for
and superintend construction of shelving in the vault and, also, for furnishing
the offices.
~~~~~
The first reference to the superin-(does not seem to connect-lsc)
county was filed in the office of the county clerk."
~~~~~
Leonard Mayes was appointed in May to survey and make recommendation concerning
lands owned by the schools of Falls county in Wise coun-(this appears to have
been part of the above paragraph)
tendent of public free schools were made in the records of this year (1876.)
Owing to the loss of early records the date the county school superintendent's
office was created was not determined. In 1876 the "report of the
superintendent for Falls ty and other counties. Thirty days later,
however, "by mutual consent of both Mr. Mayes and the court" this order was
rescinded and R. S. Hunnicutt assigned to the work.
~~~~~
Mr. Hunnicutt completed the work and reported with recommendations, in September
of the same year. The court immediately began proceeding to sell or lease
the land for farming, hunting, water rights, etc.
~~~~~
B. W. Rimes became county attorney in 1876 when on September 8th, his bond was
approved. W. H. Cabiness was elected constable of precinct No. 3.
~~~~~
In August, the attention of the court was called to the failure of the railroad
company to render its property for taxation for support of the free school
system. The court ordered the property assessed and instructed Sheriff W.
S. Conoly who was also assessor and collector, to collect all taxes, including
back school taxes. The railroad company evidently would not pay the taxes
and the county found itself involved in another lawsuit. County Attorney
B. W. Rimes was sent to Waco, at the expense of the county, to look after the
county's interest. Subsequent records will show the outcome of the
proceedings.
~~~~~
William Shelton presented claims to the court for "unpaid services of C. B.
George, teacher in the public free schools of Falls county prior to July lst.,
1873; salary for two months at $50.00 a month." The claim was ordered paid
and the school teacher got his money after three years waiting.
(The remainder of the article for the most part is missing - there is not enough
remaining to make it readable and understandable-lsc)
*****
Copyright permission granted to Theresa Carhart and her volunteers for printing
by The Democrat, Marlin, Falls County, Texas.