Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-12-04

pointments, modern in every respect,
challenge competitive comparison from
any quarter.
Standing upon the site OF the old
structure, three stories in height, built
Of Kanawha county sand stone in a
most striking architectural design, it is
by long odds the most imposing build
ing OF the Capital City. IT'S three en-
frances, from Kanawha street, Court
street and the Jail, at the rear, lead into
spacious acoustic tiled corridor
Entering from Kanawba street, on the
right are found the two Offices Of the
sheriff, handsomely furnished with
carved oak and bank counter furniture,
Adjoining these Offices and extending
the full length on that side are the cir
cult clerks offices, containing counter
furniture, five steel file cases, eighty
steel rollsr shelves, vaults, etc.
On the left of the corridor, entering as
above, one comes first to the Assessors
and Surveyors Office, then to the office
and law library OF the Prosecuting At
turney, and then to the County Clerks
three offices, the most complete rooms
in the building, and as conveniently
equipped as modern inventive genius
can make them. The ceiling Of the
main office is most artistically hand
frescoed, the steel file eases, steel roll
Ter shelves, index tables, vaults, etc.,
being OF the very latest design and
handsome in appearance.
Ascending the massive iron stairway
twelve feet in width 10 the second
floor, one first comes to the Circuit
Court room. In the furnishing Of this
room great care has been taken that it
should come fully up TO the standard so
MAGNIFICENT a structure would demand.
The Judges elevated platform and desk
are Of richly carved oak, while the iur-
ors' seats, desks and chairs for the bar
and press, clerks desk and Sheritf's
stand are consonant with their sur
roundings. The main floor is seated
with 24O oak opera chairs, the gallery
with 100. At the rear of the Court room
the Judge is provided with luXuriouSIy
appointed sanctum, the library adjOin-
ing and extending to the County Court
room.
The county court room is also hand
somely and conveniently furnished for
the court and bar, with sixty chairs,
similar To those in the circuit court
room for spectators. The remainder Of
the second floor is divided into two wit
ness rooms for the use Of men, one for
women, three petit jury rooms and one
grand jury room, all adequately and
comfortably furnished.
Arrangements for illumination OF the
building are perfect, the combination
chandeliers for gas or electricity being
prosusely distributed throughout the
building. The building is steam heated
throughout with hot and cold water to
each set of Offices.
A handsome ten foot copper statue
Of Justice on the dome sets of one Of
the most modern Of West Virginia's
buildings.
As has been said the people Of Kama
wha are proud Of their building, but
the court house has not been had with
cut some bitterness and persistent en-
deavor. Since 1855 court has been held
at the City Hall, the old building, alb
solutely unsafe and condemned, having
been torn down in that year by order
Of the county court.
In 1897 the County Court, composed
at The time OF the late Col. John 5.
Cunningham, Or. Stanton and w. B..
Calderwood, submitted to a vote OF the
people a proposition TO issue bonds. the
proceeds of which were to be devoted to
building a Court House. IL was voted
down. In 1855 the question was re-
submitted, meeting with like result,
In 1889, the Court being re-organized
by the addition of Hon. Curtis ).
Young in the seat of DR.. Stanton, the
question was again placed before the
people, but Notwithstanding the county
had no court house, the popular verdict
again was against the propositions
Again, in May, 1898, Hon, w, 5. Laid
lev. having succeeded Mr.. Calderwood
as a member Of the Court, the question
was voted upon, as before meeting with
defeat
Approaching that the people were
averse 20 the bond proposition, and
realizing that the county must have
suitable room for It's officers to conduct
the business, on September 18th, 1891
/ the Court awarded the contract for the