The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1909-06-16
ORGANS UNDER HEAVY LOAD
Illinois County Still Paying 1000, 900
for a 100000 Courthouse-No
Help for the People.

BLOOMINGTONN, ILL.,, June ~
Forty years in paying for its court
house and three years yet remaining
before the account is squared is the
remarkable and unprecedented record
of Macoupin county. Although pos
sessing only 1000 people, the famous
court house has cost as much as some
states have paid out for their capitol
buildings, and the taxpayers of Ma
coupin county are still trying to figure
out just how they were bunkoed. They
are far away from the answer now as
they were forty years ago.
Although nobody in Macoupin
county is anxious to discuss the sub
ject. yet there is certain amount of
distinction in possessing the costliest
court house of any rural community
in the United States. In fact, the Ma
coupin county court house cost as
much as a citadel of justice in most
metropolitan centers with millions of
population.
1t has been carefully computed that
the Macoupin county court house will
debtedness and interest has been paid
sum in excess of 100000. The
same structure could be built today,
even with the high cost of steel and
other building supplies for less than
a half million. Commenced in 1867,
fortytwo years ago, it will not be
paid for until 1912. The balance yet
ltn &c ha ont
at the present time by a county the
size of Macoupin for new court
house.
Balance Due 100000.
When the contractor declared the
building finished in the early '70s the
bills aggregated the enormous sum Of
$1,66S,00 The interest already paid
out and yet to be expended aggre-
gates a half million. The new court
house in this county, larger and more
luxurious in every way, in fact, one
of the finest in the west, cost less than
100000 despite the far greater cost
of labor and material at the present
time in comparison with forty years
ago,
Where did the Macoupin county
money go and who were the grafters :?
That question is just as puzzling now
as it was forty years ago, Time has
thrown no light upon the mystery.
| The first issue of bonds for the new
court house was for $4,000 but that
huge sum disappeared before the
| foundations were fairly under way.
When the court issued an order cali
ing for bonds to the extent of 5000, 900
the taxpayers collectively protested
and held indignation meetings.
The controversy broke into the leg
islature and that body authorized the
bond issue and permitted a special tax
I levy. Then came another bond issue
of equal size and again there was pub
lie turmoil. The Indebtedness was re-
pudiated and the case worked it's way
up into the supreme court. That
august body told the people that they
must pay, and they have been paying
ever since. Every suit the contractors
filed was sustained by the courts.
Move Away to Avoid Tax.
Finally the county decided to swal-
low the medicine. A new bond issue
was floated to cover the entire debt
and each year for several decades the
county has paid out 100000 on the
principal and $14, 900 interest.
Hundreds of persons moved away
to avoid the tax burden. One man
boarded up the windows and doors
facing the court house so that while
occupying his house he would never
see the hated structure.
The court house as it stands today
| is a curiosity for tourists. 1t is a
marvel of construction and promises
to be as enduring as time itself. IT
| is not ornate, but is substantial. 1t
| has advertised Macoupin county far
| and wide