The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-08-04

through the courtesy OF w. j.
Roberts, the custodian, a representa-
tive of The Journal, was shown
through the new county building this
week, that the readers of this paper
might be informed as to some OF the
interesting structural details Of the
splendid temple of Justice which
stands at the corner of Jefferson and
Zarragossa streets The examination
was made in detail, from cellar to
garnet, from coal shute to sherin's
office, from the handsomely appointed
court room to the grim cell in which
condemned murderers win wait their
doom.
It may be safely stated that with
the exception Of certain details which
have not yet been completed, owing
to circumstances which it win profit
nothing to discuss here, the building
stands as one of the most modern and
completely equipped for the purpose
for which it was erected Of any county
building in the country. The plan
seems to have taken into account
structure Will be adequate for the
needs Of the county for decades to
come. There is not only every pro-
vision for keeping folks IN, when they
have been once tncar cerated, but per-
fect protection against those who
might desire to enter for any purpose
not sanctioned by law.
Building Is Twins.
The building, while TO outward
seeming a single structure, is in
reality twins. On the north of the
great four-inch oak doors of the, at
present, unused main entrance is the
court wing. to the south the jail wing,
the cells, hospital wards, kitchen,
sherfffs office etc., being in the latter
wing.
The northeast entrance Of the court
wing, Immediately adjoining the coal
shute which, by the way, will &C
commodate a carload Of coal at a clip,
leads into a corridor, at the right OF
which is the office Of the clerk Of the
court of records. This is a handsome
with a complete set Of steel furnish
tngs, counter, filing cabinets, table,
desk, etc, all finished in an imita-
ton mahogany that would take a
wood wizard to discover as an imita-
ton. The purpose throughout the en-
tire building as is exemplifed in the
clerks Office, was to make the strUc-
ture absolutely flreproof-hence the
steel furniture. The vault opening
from the office, is large and wen light
ed. and Is supplied with a set of steel
filing cabinets and steel roller shelves,
In which and upon which are kept the
papers and books of the Office.
West of the clerks office, and with
its main entrance at the northwest
corner Of the building, is the court
room of the court of record. This is
an interesting feature of the new
building. 1t was formerly necessary
to convoy the prisoners, in gangs,
chained together, from the Jail, dis
tance Of several blocks, to the court
room. This is obviated in the new
hall of justice. A door leads from the
court room to the light wen in the
center of the building, and directly OPP
posite is a door from the corridor of
the jail Across the Bridge of
Sighs," the prisoners are led to tine
court room, without passing out OF the
building.
Tho Court Room.
The court is a handsome room fin
ished in white, furnished with steel
desks and tables, and provided with
six comfortable jury chairs. In the
portion of the room set apart for the
spectators are 125 handsome opera
chairs. A gallery extends around
three sides Of the room, the back part
OF which it is intended to fit up for
the use Of ladies. This adiotns the
rest room for white ladies on the
The light fixtures and other furnish
ings of the court room are the very
finest, and would be creditable to any
city. The whole room, in fact, is
notably different from the dingy, cob
web laden rooms which are SO fire.
quently used by courts.
On the second floor Of the court
wing, at the east end. are two we'll
lighted Jury rooms, provided with
chairs, table and toilet.
West Of these rooms is the office oc-
cupied by Judge Beggs. of the court
Of record. This is a suite Of two
rooms, an entry and a private office,
provided with steel furniture, book
cases, etc, an exceedingly comfortable
office.
At the west end of the court wing
is the Office OF Scott NJ. Loftin, the
county solicitor. This is the only oeica
the wallis Of which have been finished.
With the exception of the clerks
office, which has the hard white finish.
the walls we're left rough. to be tinted.
Solicitor Loftin has finished his office
himself, and it indicates how hand