Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1906-04-24

The court house commissioners, composed of Judge E. J. Kerwin, chairman, and Hons. Arthur Murray and w. H. Langford, awarded the contract for the general construction work of remodeling and building ad ditions to the Jefferson county court house Monday afternoon, the Prather Construction company of Fort Smith, being the successful bidder.
 The bid made by the Prather Con- slruction company was $2S,469, while the bids of their competitors were as follows: Wyndham Brothers, Pine Bluff, $3O,7S0; Pat Powers, Little Rock, s3O,OOO; w. s. Helton. Pine Bluff, $43,573.
 All the bids for the plumbing, cleo tric wiring and steam heating were rejected Bids will be re-advertised for, to be received up to 3 o'clock p. h., May 15, and Judge Kerwin states that any bids received later than that hour will not be considered.
 All the bids received were ac- companied by certified checks for $1,. 900, all of which have been returned, or the depositors notified to call for them.
 The Prather Construction com. pany is to sign the contract with the c;O will be required to file a bond in twice the sum of their contract be. before the work of construction be- gins. It is thought that but little delay will occur in beginning the work,
 Judge Kerwin states that it is the intention of the commissioners to re- H.ove the brick building i'll the rear of the present courthouse. which was at one time used as an insane asylum, as we'll as the building which has been used in the past for a county exposition, so as to give ample room
 
 for a park for the benefit of the peo- pie of the city. Especial attention will be given to beautifying the grounds, so as to make the place at tractive alike to the people of the city and visitors to Pine Bluff.
 County Judge Kerwin states that he has received seven applications for appointment on the board of hospital commissioners, to fill the vacancy oc- casioned by the resignation of Isaac Dreyfus. and that the prominence of the applicants is very gratifying to him, as it shows the intense interest being taken by the best citizens of the city in the proposed erection of the county hospital, in which all of citizens of the county may receive medical attention. board and all things necessary to the sick free of charge.
 Judge Kerwin states that the mem bers of the medical profession of the city are especially interested in the project, and are giving him every possible encouragement in his pet project of providing a place for the treatment of the county's sick.
 Judge Kerwin says he has already received plans for the building, and that he will have it erected before the expiration of his term of office.
 Following are some of the changes contemplated in the building: The rooms now occupied by the sheriff and circuit clerk will be con- verted into vaults, and the present vaults in the building will be taken cut. Separate offices will be provid- ed fer the sheriff and colfector,t and a private office for the sheriff. The cir cult clerk will occupy the office now occupied by the treasurer. The pres ent court room will be converted into a grand jury and witness rooms, and the chambers now occupied by the chancellor and circuit judge will be converted into 8 cbancery court room, with chambers adjoining for the chancellor. A new circuit court room will be added to the building, as we'll as county levying court room and private office for the county judge.
 The lower corridors will be tiled, and the cellar overhauled and a mod ern steam heating and sanitary plant