Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1872-11-16
The Court House.

Charlestowa may well feel proud Of this
building. its chief ornament, as it staads now
on the verge Of completion, reared upon the
ruins which the vandalism Of the late civil war
perpetrated, aud which for some years, while
the Couuty-seat was still vexed question,
threatened to remain dismantlsd-ruinous.-
Thanks to our Legislators. however, we are
oocs more on cur old footing and our new
Court House challenges the admiration OF all
beholders as one Of the finest Judicial buildings
in the S,ate-if net in the South. Many i'm
provements on the former building were nade
in It's rc-erection aud il is n0w-though not
fully completed-a monument Of good judge
ln,nt and taste, credit to the Building Com
,nittee ,Nessrs Logan Osburn. JuO. J. Lock,
John G. COckrell and James H. MoOrel and
an honor to the skill Of the Architect and
workmen.
So far as we have bees able to discover, the
work has al been executed faithfully skillful-
ly. aal Of the very best materials-each work
man has exertcd himself to the utmost, We be-
T-ve. aud the result" the whole building
fty framed together stands proud testimo-
NAL 10 skilled and faithful workmanship. Tue
Building Is &c by 50 feet, aud ~ feet hish-to
the top Of the Dome 10 feet. The masonry
of the building was the work Of the Messrs.
Tu,wlrr: the wsod work by Cockril s Prl-
I.ps-Capt D. II. Cockrill giving his personal
supervision 10 the whole, aud doing con-
siderable share Of the most important parts Of
the work himself The plasteriug, by c.
Frank Galaher, is in tie best city style, rough
cast aud white coated the tiu work-roo6us
and spoutilg. contracted for by McC0rty &
Duke. executed in the best manner by their
employees. E. r. Harrell. their experienced
foreman, supervising and doing large portion
Of the work The painting by VIM. Hines is
a very marvel Of beauty aRd skill. The iron
work Of ,as Gre-proof vaults, by JJhu Z
Hilbert. is Of the mos, substantial character.
TuE Guar occupies the Second story
aud Is approached by two continued stairways,
uoticeaLls tor their beauty Of structure and
easy asceat. The Court Room is So by 49l
fee.-oe..,us q feet-is very conveniently ar
ranged. tae Judges staud, bar, clerks and
shsras desks benz handsomely rallied in-the
apartments all in style Of true elegance, aud
aa entire absence Of fashy or gingerbread work.
It's door is covered with cocoa mating and
Two large. handsome stoves GiGuse grateful
warmth over tho aplytmsat A roomy gallery
49l bv 10 feet. oyerlooks tie Courtroom. with
private entrance, ard comfortably fitted up
designed especially f5r the ladies. Upon the
same dl,r are two Jury ROOMS 10 by 20 feet
entrance ,r.u C.urt-r0sm. Upon the first
hcJr are tlc Clerks Olices-oue is by A., the
other Is Jy 90 feet; grand jury rooom is by
s3 feet. M04 Hall "A by 10 feet Side Hall
40 ~ 10 feet Por;c) 81 by is feet.
Without. ia front, heavy columns, painted a
deep brown. aud handsome coruico ia frouJ
aud rear aaj extending upon either side Of the
eli-e aiI greatly to its Imposing appearance
a Cap9l Is Goo course Of construction, aud a
fas i-sp-,5ael 5.l procured from the Troy
foundry Jy MAJ jas. Law Hoof, already
sounds tle csu Dor CJur, TO the citizens far aud
near, to he used also as the striking bell fOr a
fsur-IialeI Town Clock ordered by Mes,fs
M,Cmly IS Duke which is to point the hour
and mark the flight % Time
Altogether ths uew Court House viii, for
generations Co come. proclaim the energy, eu-
terpd-ea aud architectural skill and taste Of JEFF
fsrs1u iu 1872.