The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1886-06-04
THE NEW COURT HOUSE.

The advertisement issued by the chair
man of the building committee of the
new court house for bids for dong the
necessary grading, digging trenches for
foundations and building foundation
walls, including, also, the laying of floor
joists and floor lining, on the building,
had the effect of causing nine bids TO be
filed, and the opening of these bids
Saturday revealed the following:
Ring Tobin, Minneapolis $50, 400
Theodore Peterson ..................... 1850
Minnesota Stone Co., Minneapolis II, $50
John Mahowald, Mankato .......... l4,7lO
%. IL. Mather, Mankato. ............ l4,476
Trainor Bros, Minneapolis ....... II, 800
l.. Wallace x Co., Mankato. ........ l3,335
w. Is. Craig, Mankato, ................. l2,997
Thos. Russell, Mankato. IL $50
1t will be seen that Mr.. Thos Russell
Is over 81 900 under any of the other
bids, and over s, 900 under the highest,
and as he complied with the require
ments of the Commissioners i'm giving
bonds, etc, the contract was awarded
him Tuesday.
This portion of the work has been let
for 5000 less than the esti-
mate, which is certainly very gratifying
To those who have the responsibility of
the building upon their hands, and it
should be convincing proof TO the farm
ers that their interests will be guarded
AT every point, and also that the court
house will he completed at no greater
cost than the original estimate. 1t is Il
conceded fact and one entirely borne out
by common fractions and good reason
that the contract could be let in whole
for at least ten or fifteen thousand dol.
lars less than it can be pieced out for
But there is no use ut this time to dis.
cuss lmpossibilities. The court has de-
cIded that the Commissioners cannot
contract in excess of the funds i'm sight
and per Sc they must be content by
going slow, though Il premium be de.
handed for SO doing. The Commission.
ers still have 81 900 on hand to apply
upon the court house, and mt their July
meeting they will very likely make a
levy sufficient To add fifteen or twenty
thousand to this sum, thus giving them
means To construct the walls and the
roof.
The plans and specifications, as pre-
pared by Messrs. Healy 4 Allen of Min,
neapolis, as We have before said i'm these
columns, are perfect. The exterior OF
the court house, when completed, will
be model of architectural beauty and
symmetry. When We say this, we de
not mean To convey the idea than any
considerable sum will be expended for
frivolous Ornamentation for such is not
the case.
The building will be an imposing
structure of soliditv, convenience and
durability. Its size will be 92xl0S feet,
three stories high. The narrow way of
the structure will face the city, and the
main entrance will be from the south
west corner ofthe square. The building
can he entered, however, from all four
sides. The first story will be IL feet in
the clear; the second story 10 feet; and
the court room 2il feet, and well lighted
and exceptionally well ventilated, two
very important features for health and
comfort.
The county Offices will all be spacious,
and will be provided with vaults of a
sufficient capacity TO meet the wants of
the county for great number of wears.
The building will be fire-proof through
out and warmed by the latest device in
way of steam. When completed, there
will not be man in the county who
will not feel thankful for the part our
County Commissioners have taken III
this matter.