Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-02-06
Dedication OF the new Court House at

Abner Coburn, was dedicated with appropri-
| ate ceremonies. 1t was an event towards
which the goodly people Of that locality had
looked forward with great interest and pride.
| DESCRIPTION OF THE EDIrICE.
The court house is on handsome and ele-
waited lot on High street, at the corner of
| Union. 1t is 5OxSO feet on the ground, with
side and end projections; foundation of gran
| tie. The foundation is q splendid one. The
building is Of brick with granite trimmings
the trimmings blending beautifully with the
| brick work. Depth of basement story, 10 feet;
| the first story is 10 feet, and the second 22h
the whole surmounted by q hip roof and dome,
| the dome being ca feet in height, TO the top of
the vane; whole heigh. from the ground TO
the top of thesyane rod, 1913 feet. The dome
| is eight sided, with imitation windows and
green shades. 1t is timed and painted in i'm
| itation of granite. The roof is covered with
| slate from the Madison quarry. The base
| ment walls are of granite. The windows Of the
| building are large and trimmed with granite.
There are two stone portcos, one at each end
| of the building. The steps at the front en-
trance are OF solid granite. The corridor is
| ten feet wide, and at each side and near tue
| front entrance are the stairways. In the ce-
| A large reservoir supplies pure spring water
| to every part of the building. \ twenty-five
horse engine furnishes steam for warming the
building. On the first floor above the base
ment are the offices for the Register of Deeds,
Clerk of Courts, Witness room, County Com
mssioners' office, Grand Jury room, and the
Probate Court room. Each OF these rooms is
finished and furnished tasefully and comfort
ably, and supplied with all the requisite con-
a. =, I'D .,
| a double flight of stairs to the first landing.
| and by a single one to the floor of the second
story At the top of the stairs are two library
rooms A wide entrance leads to the spac
| ous court room, which is frescood and is
probably one of the most attractive iii the
State. The size of the room is about iSx42
| feet A gallery runs the length of the side
next the entrance, finished in chestnut with
panel mouldings. The railing of the bar is OF
| black walnut. The judges bench is fine
specimen of work, of black walnut highly fin
| ished the clerks desk in front is of the same
material, elegantly wrought. In the rear of
| the judges stand are rooms for Judges and
jurors. The furniture, furnishings and adorn-
| ments are all first class.
| The entire cost of the court house was
about go, 600, or, to be exact, Si7, GG.38-
| every dollar and cent OF which have been paid
by Gov. Coburn. A marble tablet in the
| building, having the following inscription in
gilt, tells the story in brief" Erected and
| pre- sented to the County of Somerset by Hon.
| Abner CoburH, A. ID. 1878, under the super
vision of j ohm Russell, S. B. Walton, L. 6.
| Pratt, County Commissioners. c. +. Doug
las, Architect Foster & Dutton, Builders"
| The entire work seems TO have been done in
the most thorough and faithful manner.
OBLIGATORY EXERCISES.
| At two o'clock in the afternoon, the people
| began to gather in the beautiful ard spacious
court room. The bar enclosure was occupied
| by members Of the bar from different parts
OF the State, among them several distinguish,
ed gentlemen. The galleries and other por-
tons of the room were crowded. There were
present large number of the members of
the legislature who had come up on the special
| train, to participate in the interesting eXer-
| cises, in acceptance of the invitation of Gov.
Coburn, extended through Hon. Hiram
| knowlton, who has been active in max
| ing arrangements for the occasion. 4
little past two O'Clock, Gov. Coburn
made his appearance, and was greeted with
| cheers, as he took seat in the Judges bench.
He was conducted TO the bench by Hon. S.
| b. Walton chairman of the County Commits
sioneIs. VIM. Folsom, Esq chairman of the
committee arrangements, called the meeting
| to order. Morrison's Orchestra, with piano
accompaniment, played fine opening piece
Mrs S. C. Chase presided at the piano
| Dedeatory prayer was then offered by Rev
Mr.. Woodbury. of Skowhegan.
| After another piece by the band, Gov. Co.
burn arose and formally presented to the
chairman of the County Commissioners, the
keys of the building. He said;
| Gentlemen Of the county Commissioners:
| have been wishing for some time to do
| something for the citizens OF this county
| When it became necessary to have new coun-
| ty buildings, it seemed to ne to be favor
able opportunity to carry out my purpose, as
it would be relieving the county so much. On
mature reflection, made the proposition to
YOU, which was accepted, and became a con-
| tract to build suitable building for a court
house. That contract l think has been per-
| formed. If you think the same, you may can
| eel it and hand il to me or place 1t on file in
| the archives of the county, as you may choose.
! | trust the building will be found substantial
and convenient, and will fully meet the oX
pectations and wants of the community. II
| has been constructed under your entire super
intendence and direction, and | congratulate
YOU on the fidelity and success with which
your part Of the work has been performed.
| With these few remarks l now tender to
the county this building, and in order to give
you full possession and control, present you
the keys to every department of the same.
| County Commissioner Walton received the
keys, cancelled the bond, and said;
And now, houored sir, as long as this mag
niticent structure shall stand, or this house
remain, with one stone upon another, may it
remain monument of your generosity to the
| people of Somerset county.
After the addresses Gov. Coburn took many
of his friends by the hand, receiving their
congratulations. The Governor appeared in
quite good health, although somewhat pale
The company then adjourned to
CoDuRN HALL,
which was soon filled in every part Here
the arrangements were under the direction of
Col A. w. Wildes, who called the meeting
to order. He said that we have met here to
do honor to one whose munifcent gifts to his
town and county entitlc him to the greatest
respect.
Tie orchestra then performed piece Of
music.
Hon. +. L. Webb of Watcryille was intro
duced lie liked the music of the orchestra,
and if he thought he could ever learn to play
a violin he would leave the profession oflaw,
Iva, ~ th4Ap