The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-10-12

L
by the sutrrages of the people ever since
He is careful and attentive TO the duties
of his office, and always ready to furnish
any information to those who consult
him.
In the Office adjoining his Sergeant
j. b. Traynham and Treasurer c. w.
| Thomas are located. In yesterday morn
ing's issue tho TIMES gave brief bio
| graphical sketches of these gentlemen
when they were connected with the po-
| lice force. In their new positions they
are showing the same devotion to duty
that characterized them in subordinate
positions. Mr.. Thomas held the Office
of sergeant till the election last May,
when he was chosen city treasurer, and
from 1884 to that time the office was
held by his brother, Mr.. NJ. c. Thomas.
MR. Il. II. WRIGHT,
deputy city sergeant, was Il member
of the police force for about six years,
and was always ready to meet every call
of duty. He is native of Campbell
county, and about 20 years old. Ills
hair is light and curly, his eyes blue,
and his build more prominent as re-
CARDS height than ponderosity.
MIR. WIN. DUNLAP,
the city engineer. has his office on
the first floor of the courthouse build
ing, adjoining that of the sergeant and
treasurer. lie is n young looking man
for his age, is n graduate of Washington
and Lee College, where he held the posi-
ton for two years of assistant professor
of applied mathematics and analytical
chemistry.
He is native of Rockbridge, coun-
ty which has contributed so largely to
the population and prosperity of this
city, and seems thoroughly acclimated.
both as regards the best interests of
his new home and everything conducive
to hcalthfulness. lie has done we'll
with the small appropriations allowed
him, and will do better when more
generous policy in regard to public inn
provements is pursued by the city coun-
Gil. He was appointed TO his present
position more than Il year ago. and not
Il word except Il word of commentator
tency and efficiency. Ills only prcdc
cessor in the Office was Mr.. j. II. Stink
CT, now Il member of the city council
While writing of the officers loca ted in
the courthouse. it would he grossly inn
/ partial not to mention
MIR GEORGE l.. BENNETT,
the efficient, conscientious. and faithful
clerk of the City Council He has re-
sided here since 1882. and is Il native of
Preston county, West Va. lie was ap-
pointed clerk of the Council in 1887. and
the fact that he still holds the position,
to the satisfaction of the city authori-
ties and people, is ample proof that he
is the right man in the right place. AL
though he entered the Union army when
he was only 16 years old. and served
three years, Mr.. Bennett is a staunch
Democrat and Il man without bias or
prejudice politically. He is true to his
principles under all considcrati ons, and
all who have transactions with him in
his official position must bear witness
that duty is his motto and charity his
guiding star.
Now that all the officers in the new
courthouse. as far as can be remembered,
have been mentioned it might be we'll
to say a few words about the building in
which they assemble daily to transact
their duties. The courthouse is rather
a good looking brick building about go
by 75 feet in dimensions. 1t is two
stories in height, surmountcd by a
tower and cupola which ought to have Il
city clock in it and has, including the
large court room on the second floor
thirteen rooms. The room i'll the tower
is IL cOmmodiOuS one. but except on Spc-
! cial occasions is seldom used.
Back Of the courthouse to the west is
the city Jail a small strong stone build
ing and adjoining it is the brick resi-
dence of the jailcr. and on the north and
east sides of these buildings is n hand
some iron fence with n double gate in
front and smaller one at the southeast
corner of the yard. On the south side
Il long brick building. belonging to Mr.
G. w. Thomas. and used as Offices does
away with the necessity of fence and
at the west end of the lot is high
board fence with "A double gate near the
jail. The yard has been carefully turfed
and presents very nice appearance:
altogether except as to the matter of
size there is nothing to complain of in
regard to the courthouse and its sur
roundings.
1t and the jail were built for city of
1000 people. and as the population OF
Roanoke is already 20. 600, with a GER
tain prospect of $4,000 in the next five
years, there is every reason why better
facilities should be afforded the officers
of the law for the transaction OF public
business, and better accommodations
should be provided for the care and safe
keeping OF those who by crime or mis-
fortune are brought within the walls Of
the city prison.
1t was easy enough when there were
Only '.ouU people nero 10 transact all
business required with the present
facilities, but now something else must
be done. In 1884 when the city charter
was granted the population was 5000.
while the assessed value of city pro-
pcrty, real and personal, was for the
latter $l.17l ,SG5.75 and for the latter
Sill .5S3. Now, or six years later. the
| assessed value of real estate is So. 75O.-
SS4 and of personal property Sl.7l5.64a
1t is evident from these figures that the
courthouse jail, schools and streets have