Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-11-15
11rNR1co,s- NEw couRr. HOUSE. JUsT coMPLErEp

HENRICO's NEW COURT
rround now occupied by the new struc-
ture was one Of Ricnmond's Oldest ANU
marks: and, though II had become uh-
safe FOR occupancy, the vans haNhs
begun TO crumble. as result o. age anu
fire. there was strong opposition 10
Its being torn down; and, when the SUI
peryisors determined TO destroy the olu
structure and replace II with new one
more modern in It's architecture they
brought down the wrath OF large pro-
norton OF the county Taxpayers on their
official heads once or twice they were
blocked in their efforts. but. finally rising
superior TO all objections that coulu
be urged. they on the 5th OF ApIh i"se
gave orders for the erection OF the ne"
building, and the removal or the olu'
before the Directing taxpayers had
time 10 recover from their surprise at
this proceeding. which they thought high-
handed. the old courthouse had been
Ieveued and ground had been broken TOT
the new building.
MR.. RUEHRMUND'S PLANS.
The supervisors advertised for plans,
and finally accepted the drawings OF MT
Carl Ruehrmund. specifying that the new
structure should not cost when compieteI
more than $4,000 and that It should be
co,npleted before the 18th Of November
Ing to Messrs. Trexler & Gilmore, ana
work was proceeded with as rapidly as
possible. with the result that on NoVem-
her 9Th. last Monday. the building in
its COMPLETED state was formally turned
over to the supervisors, and ny theln
accepted the entire cost having been only
$19.6l415.
west corner Of Twenty-second and Main
streets and as II now stands. presents
very picturesque and stately view. IT has
n frontage OF 50 feet on Main street and
runs bacl< a distance OF So feet on Twenty
second street. and from the Main-street
ground level 70 the tower is 80 feet.
From the foundation to the first-story
window-sills the building Is constructed
from James-river granite, and from the
stills I'D 10 the roof Is Of Richmond pressed
bricks, with granite trimmings. The roof
Is covered with Richmond made tin. The
interior walls are constructed Of either
bricks or fireproof plaster-bricks. The
main and second floors have iron beams
and terra-cotta arches, which, all tod,
render the building practically freproof,
everything being built in the most sub
stantial manner
THE THREE FLOORS.
The basement. with entrances on the
east and west sides contains magistrates
offices and their courtroom, and Two
rooms for the Sheriff. The boiler and
fuel-rooms. together with public and pri-
vate tOilet-rooms, are also located on TINS
floor
on the main floor the entire eastern side
is occupied by the Clerks office and this
is a model room in every particular every
arrangement being made both for the
comfort Of the Clerk and his deputies, and
the lawyers. who are constantly there
and for the proper location Of the county
records On the western side Of this floor
IS located the Treasurer's office and the
rooms set apart for the Supervisors ana
Commissioners Of Revenue.
Al the northern end Of the Treasurer's
office and near the main entrance Is
the main~stairway. constructed in solid
oak highly polished This leads 10 the
second floor. on which IS located the
County-Court room, large and commo-
dious apartment with beautifully panelled'
ceiling The bench sits at the southern
end and the bar is within rallied in
closure Immediately in front thereon.
Opera chairs occupy the remaining space
I'm the room In rear OF the courtroom
are the Jury rooms, the judges private
office and a room for the clerk, and each
has direct connection with private toilet
rooms.
LADIES WAITING-ROOM.
In front Of the courtroom, and over
looking Main street, are rooms set apart
for use BY the Commemorative Attorney.
the Circuit Judge. and the ladies who
may be in attendance on the sessions OF
the court.
The third story contains the Circuit
Court room, somewhat smaller than the
County Courts apartment. This room
overlooks Main street on the northeast
corner OF the building, and adjoining IL
is a spare-room, which has not yet been
assigned 70 any particular use.
All the broad halls running through
the csntre of the building from north to
south have oak wainscoatng. and the
entire building is heated by low-pressure
steam. firepiaces being set in each room,
I'm order that additional heat may be Sc
cured whenever desired.
In the rear Of the building are private
stalrways which give access to the
County-Court room from the -ear. and
will probably be used exclusively by the
Judge and the court officers. The now
building in its entirety is gem In the
way OF a court-house ana reflects credit
on the supervisors who ordered 1T, the
architect who designed It, and the con-
tractors who constructed H.
THE COUNTY OFFICERS.
Mr.. VI. c. Hecher is the chairman Of
the Board Of Supervisors. and 10 him IS
largely due the credit for the erection OF
the new courthouse. From, the very
inception OF the idea be heartily favored
the erection OF new building, and he
never gave up. but insisted on Il. and.
finally convinced his associates on the
board OF the necessity for such build
Ing
The officers who viii occupy the build
ing are all well-known gentlemen, both
in Richmond and IN the county. and their
new quarters arc none too good for them.
Judge 7. Ashby Wickham. though yet a
young man, presides over the County
Court with great dignity. and his rulings
are seldom reversed by the higher tribu-
nails. His officers are capable men, and
they see that the business OF the court is